Intelligent Transportation Systems

Using technology to improve our transportation system

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are advanced technologies that improve the movement of people and goods. CMAP promotes the use of ITS, and northeastern Illinois has been a leader in ITS applications for decades.

What are intelligent transportation systems?

ITS improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the transportation system by increasing traveler safety and improving mobility. These tools improve the operations and management of our existing transportation facilities.

ITS allow transportation operators to use real-time information to identify, respond to, and mitigate non-recurring events — such as crashes or weather — that affect service quality. They also provide travelers with information to help them make effective choices about when, how, and where to travel.

Examples of intelligent transportation systems include:

I-PASS and open-road tolling
Pace Suburban Bus’ intelligent bus system
Traffic signals with emergency vehicle preemption

Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems Architecture

The Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (Regional ITS) Architecture is a roadmap for transportation systems integration in northeastern Illinois over the next 15 years. It represents a shared vision of how each agency’s systems will work together in the future, sharing information and resources to provide a safer, more efficient, and more effective transportation system.

The Regional ITS Architecture provides an overarching framework that spans all northeastern Illinois’ transportation organizations and individual transportation projects. Each transportation project can be viewed as an element of the overall transportation system, providing visibility into the relationship between individual projects and ways to cost-effectively build an integrated transportation system over time.

The Regional ITS Architecture includes the building blocks needed to implement ON TO 2050 recommendations, including:

Congestion pricing
Modernization of the existing highway and transit system
ITS components of major capital projects
Bus rapid transit and transit signal priority
Projects that support the freight industry

Regional ITS Architecture website

CMAP’s MPO Policy Committee adopted the current version of the Regional ITS Architecture in March 2022. Find more information in the Regional ITS Architecture summary and the Regional ITS Architecture maintenance plan.

Regional stakeholders can request changes to the ITS Architecture by filling out the request form and emailing it to ITS@cmap.illinois.gov.

Plan of action to improve transportation technology

The Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART) includes recommendations for technology to improve the transit experience. PART recommends fully integrating transit fares across the three service boards — Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace — and other regional transit systems — South Shore Line, Amtrak, and Divvy — to provide a seamless and affordable experience across multiple travel modes.
PART also includes recommendations to enable faster and more reliable bus service, such as:

Developing a regional bus priority plan, with dedicated funding for implementation
Building staff capacity at roadway agencies to support bus priority projects
Enabling automated camera enforcement for bus lanes and stops

What is the region doing today?

The CTA and Pace both use the Ventra electronic fare collection system to provide faster, cheaper, and more convenient transportation to transit riders. The Ventra app allows riders to manage their CTA, Pace, and Metra fares and tickets in one place.

Pace also launched the Pulse Dempster Line. The Pulse buses feature transit signal priority technology, which extends green lights and minimizes red lights.

CMAP brings transportation professionals together through the Transportation Technology and Operations Coalition, to discuss intelligent transportation infrastructure and funding opportunities, among other topics.