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I am a graduate student in Physics at the University of Chicago.

The Cheap Way to Improve Reliability of the New York Subway

First, apologies for the crayon, but I hope to make a point. Several recent power outages have each led to a nearly complete loss of service to the B-division of the New York City Subway. Even on a day-to-day basis, … Continue reading

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Bus Tracker Data – Automated

Bus tracker data and plots for approximately half of the CTA’s routes are now available. For about half of these, plots and data are being automatically posted around 3 am every operating day. I will be working over the next … Continue reading

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Detectable Warning Tiles

Detectable warning tiles, the tactile warning bumps at curb ramps, have been ADA mandated in new sidewalk construction since 2001. As per guidance from the Federal Highway Administration, detectable warning fields require good drainage and frequent sweeping in order to … Continue reading

Posted in Walking | 3 Comments

South Lakefront Corridor Transit Study — Shame!

In 2012 the Chicago Department of Transportation commissioned the South Lakefront Corridor Transit Study (“the report”) from 31st to 95th streets in response to very strong community interest in improving transit access, especially along the Metra Electric corridor. The report … Continue reading

Posted in Transit | 5 Comments

55th Street Streetscape Master Plan

In my previous post, I explored how complete streets priorities are reversed in 55th Street’s existing streetscape. At a meeting Thursday February 5, 2015, CDOT presented a fiscally unconstrained wish list of proposed streetscape improvements for community feedback. Download The … Continue reading

Posted in Automotive, Cycling, Transit, Walking | 1 Comment

South Lakeshore Drive Express Buses

Bus tracker data for four of six Chicago’s south Lake Shore Drive express bus routes, the 2, 6, J14, and 28, were collected in November and early December 2014. The J14 Jeffery Jump is branded as a premium bus route … Continue reading

Posted in Bus Tracker Data, Transit | 4 Comments

55th Street Streetscape – Existing Conditions

On Thursday, I attended CDOT’s second public meeting for a new 55th Street Streetscape Master Plan in Hyde Park.  In this first of two posts, I’ll examine existing streetscape conditions on 55th street. Three years ago, 55th Street received a … Continue reading

Posted in Automotive, Cycling, Transit, University of Chicago, Walking | 1 Comment

Chicago’s Battery Electric Buses

Since October, the CTA has been operating two newly purchased battery electric buses. Since early December, I’ve gathered bus tracker data on the six routes that these buses are initially operating on: 7 – Harrison, 120 – Ogilvie/Streeterville Express, 121 … Continue reading

Posted in Bus Tracker Data, Transit | 3 Comments

Removing Cornell Drive

Public meetings about the siting of an Obama Presidential Library on the south side have captured headlines this week: DNAinfo, Chicago Tribune Hyde Park Herald, Chicago Tonight, The Economist, … I attended and testified at the Parks Board meeting at … Continue reading

Posted in Automotive, Walking | 10 Comments

Hyde Park Sidewalk Snow

Snow wreaks havoc with transportation. Entire fleets of plows keep roadways clear and airports open.  Most snowy cities in North America, including Chicago, require residents to clear the sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses.  There are many more linear … Continue reading

Posted in Walking | 1 Comment