Technology The RTA actively develops technology solutions to improve transit in the region, both from an operations standpoint and for passengers. The common theme for these technologies is seamless transportation, facilitated by a fully-integrated, multi-modal information system. Benefits include expanded trip planning options for the public, as well as operational and service improvements for the CTA, Metra, and Pace. These technologies include:
Objective: Provide residents and visitors with a one-stop shop for regional travel planning.
Unlike other online trip planning tools, goroo® combines transportation options into a single resource — including the CTA, Metra, and Pace, as well as driving, walking and biking directions. Users can review side-by-side comparisons of trip itineraries using transit, driving, walking, biking or a combination of these options. This new tool incorporates convenience, efficiency and cost among other features, while utilizing all forms of available transportation.
Transit Signal Priority (TSP)
Objective: Improve transit operating efficiency while complementing congestion reduction efforts.
We are providing funding and technical assistance for field deployments of Transit Signal Priority by the CTA and Pace. Initial deployments include CTA bus routes serving Western Avenue, and Pace routes serving the Harvey Transportation Center.
To continually improve the quality of our services, the RTA manages numerous Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) projects to achieve the objectives of the Moving Beyond Congestion Strategic Plan. Our current projects include:
Goroo Online Trip Planner
Objective: Provide residents and visitors with a one-stop shop for regional travel planning.
Unlike other online trip planning tools, goroo is combines all transportation options into a single resource — including the CTA, Pace and Metra, as well as driving, walking and biking directions. Users can review side-by-side comparisons of trip itineraries using transit, driving, walking, biking or a combination of these options. Goroo replaces the RTA’s trip planner which provided transit travel information only over the last 10 years and averaged between 18,000 to 20,000 hits daily. This new tool incorporates convenience, efficiency and cost among other features, while utilizing all forms of available transportation.
Real-time Bus Information
Objective: Provide the timeliest information to transit customers.
The RTA is currently working with both the CTA and Pace to display real-time bus schedule information at key bus stops and transit centers. Such information will also be made available to customers through the multi-modal trip planner and various mobile devices.
Transit Signal Priority
Objective: Improve the efficiency of bus operations
We are providing funding and technical assistance for two demonstrations of Transit Signal Priority that will be implemented in 2009 by the CTA and Pace. The CTA project involves Route X49 on portions of Western Avenue, and the Pace project involves several routes serving the HarveyTransportationCenter.
Other Initiatives 
