Chicago’s Plan Commission Adopts RTA-Funded Study that Recommends Enhancements Around Metra Stations

RTA Community Planning Program provided $100,000 toward Typology Study

The Regional Transportation Authority is pleased to announce the City of Chicago Plan Commission’s adoption of the RTA-funded Metra Typology study. A typology study is used to create systems for putting things into groups according to how they are similar; in essence, it is the study of how things can be divided into different types.  This study will serve as a guide for developers and elected officials interested in developing the areas around Metra stations in Chicago. The study will supplement the Transit Friendly Development Guide completed by the City and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in 2009, which created typologies for all CTA rail stations.

The Typology study offers recommendations for the existing 77 Metra stations and two planned stations that span the City’s north, south and west sides.  The study looks at ways to maximize access to transit and build ridership through its overarching goals of focusing on design, improvement and accessibility. The RTA allocated $100,000 through its Community Planning program and the City of Chicago provided an additional $25,000 toward the study.

 Through the collaborative efforts of the RTA, CTA, Metra, Chicago Departments of Planning and Development and Transportation and a team of consultants, the City built upon seven typologies that are already in place and added two new typologies to create a set of nine for the Metra station areas in Chicago. From the Loop and neighborhood-focused station areas to business districts and employment centers, each typology is tailored to fit the distinct characteristics of the area around the Metra station.

 The RTA-funded study formulated the nine typologies based on the CTA’s typologies and analyses of a variety of data, from land use, zoning, and neighborhood character to Metra ridership data, frequency of service, fare zones, commuter parking, and opportunities for development and station area improvements, among other factors. Additionally, feedback obtained from public meetings, stakeholders, elected officials, residents and transit officials assisted in the formulation of the adopted typologies.  To find a listing of the nine typologies and the entire report, please visit www.chicagometratypologies.com.