Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) Projects

This project funds the design and rollout of the next generation of Metra's VIS Signs. TROI-Net Station Displays will be installed at multiple locations at most stations. TROI-Net Station Displays will also provide live train tracking information, customer information messages, and emergency messages for Metra customers.

Esri will develop an agency-wide GIS Strategic Plan or System of Engagement (SoE) that will provide CTA with a roadmap for future uses of GIS within agency departments. Esri will conduct detailed interviews with business units to establish their GIS needs and identify data, maps and apps that arenecessary to achieve their goals. The goal of the SoE is to provide a way for all business units to utilize GIS to improve processes, make work more efficient, retrieve and create authoritative data, effectively utilize applications, provide convenient access to relevant spatial data, and share contributions throughout the agency. The recommended technology with be reusable and the applications will be configurable with little or no custom code.

New integrated solutions will be deployed to support Metra's Transportation Division's operations. Included in this are enhancements and new functionality for Metra's crew calling systems, new solutions to integrate existing technology footprint, and efforts to perform business process optimization and organizational design optimization.

To attract new riders and retain current ones, the CTA will remain focused on providing a healthy,clean, and comfortable riding environment, and continue to make investments to modernize the system and improve the overall experience of our customers. (1) Enhanced Cleaning Tools and Measures; to include multiple daily cleanings, targeted deep cleanings of 150 buses and 150 rail cars each night, Mobile Cleaning SWAT teams and efficient Air Circulation. (2) Customer Amenities: Free Masks, Travel Healthy Kits distributes to customers, Ridership Dashboard Information uses technology to help customers plan their trips to avoid heavy ridership periods or overcrowding.

2021 funding will be for radio equipment to be purchased and installed on buses to enhance the existing Cradlepoint system to upgrade to 5G technology for vehicle to infrastructure communication (innovation and enhancement). 2022 funding will be used for TSP implementation along priority corridors as part of the Regional Transit Signal Priority Implementation Program and integration of regional traffic management centers. Funds from the 2022 ICE grant are intended to be used to connect Pace TSP central system to Lake County DOT Traffic Management Center (TMC) to achieve Centralized Transit Signal Priority Systems. Tasks include (but are not limited to) establishing a working group, developing system engineering management plan, systems/software development and integration, related equipment, proof-of-concept deployment, and a system evaluation report.

This project involves the replacement of the current GPS, which has exceeded its useful life. Metra will replace the GPS, on-board announcement system and signs on the entire fleet. Metra will also install automatic passenger counters and event recorders. The new system will maintain the necessary current functions, while potentially adding video surveillance, customer information displays and an information system.

This project will involve the installation of gate boards and big boards at downtown stations. The entire project will include up to 80 gate boards at the 5 downtown stations.

The scope of this project is to replace the fluorescent main lighting on the Amerail cars in the Metra fleet with LED main lighting.

The scope of work would include the design, fabrication, installation, and 3 years of warranty and maintenance of thin panel LED, luminous platform signs at up to six Metra stations. Training for Metra staff for the ongoing troubleshooting and operations of the new signs, and training of Metra staff and forces for the potential installation of future phases of luminous signs would also be included. Limited user testing and customer survey evaluations would also be included. Installation of hard-wired electrical power at all locations, and potential electrical upgrades to electrical service and panels would be included as needed. New photosensors and radar systems to trigger the brightening of otherwise dimly-lit signs upon train approach would also be installed as part of the scope of work.

Scope: This project is for a pilot program to guide the installation of Metra's Automated Passenger Count system. Metra will issue a LIQ (Letter of Inquiry) to retain a consultant that has knowledge of the state-of the art technology and data utilization. The project may have two components - one being camera driven and the other infra-red driven.