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Committees

The primary goal of the public involvement program for the Cook DuPage Corridor Study is to maintain timely contact with the general public, government agencies, business owners, and other key stakeholders throughout the planning process. To meet this goal, the RTA established three standing committees to provide input and guidance throughout the study: Policy Committee, Technical Committee and Citizens Advisory CommitteeIn addition, the RTA has formed a Corridor Planning Standards Working Group to provide local guidance of the corridor planning standards element of Phase II: Options Feasibility.

The Cook DuPage Corridor Study is an open and transparent decision making process. The public is welcome to attend all meetings of the Cook DuPage Corridor committees.

On this page you can:

•  Review the roles of and responsibilities for each committee;
•  Find out the next meeting dates and locations;
•  Download meeting agendas and summaries of previous meeting;
•  View anticipated meeting schedules; and
•  Print current rosters of committee members.


Policy Committee

Roles and Responsibilities
•  Provide input and formulate recommendations to the RTA at key decision points during the Study process including decisions related to Problem Statement, Purpose and Need, Goals, Planning Standards, Potential Improvement Options, and Locally Preferred Alternative(s).
•  Communicate the varied viewpoints and perspectives of colleagues from within each respective jurisdiction of appointment.
•  Provide leadership on behalf of local government through direct service on the Policy Committee, and engage professional staff in supporting roles.
•  Ensure balanced, representative subregional participation, and ensure coordination with local and other subregional planning activities.
•  Provide informed comment to media on behalf of all members of the Policy Committee and with the notification of RTA.

Membership Roster
•  Policy Committee Roster as of December 4, 2007 (164 Kb)

Next scheduled meeting:
•  None Scheduled

Meeting materials for download:
• May 14, Policy Committee Agenda & Full Packet


Recent actions and activities
On February 13, 2008, the Cook DuPage Corridor study reached an important milestone.  The Policy Committee unanimously agreed on a future transportation system to serve the more than one million residents and 750,000 workers of the Cook-DuPage Corridor.  The Policy Committee decided on the Main Line System, modified by adding two north-south transit elements from an alternative Concentric System.  They also agreed that three potential improvements in the I-290 main line corridor should be included for further study, with varying extents and different combinations: High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, Bus Rapid Transit, and the westward extension of the Blue Line to as far as Yorktown in Lombard.  The Policy Committee also agreed on a set of supporting actions and policies to enhance the existing transportation network in the Cook-DuPage Corridor.

A 30 day public comment period was held in March 2008 to present and obtain input on the findings and preliminary decision of the Policy Committee.  During the public comment period, the RTA hosted five public meetings at different locations in and around the corridor.  Over 150 individuals and organizations submitted feedback, generating approximately 900 comments.  Public comments supported the overall system, although some shared the Policy Committee’s concern regarding effectiveness and the potential community impacts of specific projects.  Some comments also suggested project refinement and alternative alignments and modes in the next study phase.

The Policy Committee considered the public comment on May 14, 2008.  As a result, the Policy Committee unanimously approved the mainline system for follow-on study and added one supporting recommendation to their preliminary list.



2008 Meeting Schedule
•  February 13, 2008, 3:00 PM, Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York Rd., Elmhurst
•  May 14, 2008 at 3:30 PM at Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York Rd., Elmhurst
•  To be Determined



Approved Meeting Summaries (Archive)
Policy Committee Summary – January 26, 2006
Policy Committee Minutes – May 25, 2006
Policy Committee Minutes – December 5, 2006
Policy Committee Summary – February 13, 2008

Technical Committee 

Roles and Responsibilities
•  Provide high-level technical input and/or preliminary policy guidance to the RTA regarding key aspects of the Cook-DuPage Corridor Study, including Purpose and Need, Goals and Objectives, Evaluation Criteria, and Potential Improvement Options
•  Provide necessary agency and project data
•  Review work products and findings
•  Share perspective and develop consensus on recommendations
•  Ensure coordination with other regional transportation planning activities
•  Identify potential concerns and ways to resolve them

Membership Roster
•  Technical Committee Roster as of December 4, 2007

Next scheduled meeting:
•  August 28, 2008 at 1:30PM, Sears Tower, 8th Floor, Chicago

Meeting materials for download:
•  August 28, 2008 Technical Committee Agenda & Full Packet


Additional background information and resources:
•  Quick index of potential major capital projects by system and option
•  Evaluation Results (note: please use above quick index to cross-reference the options evaluated)
•  Environmental Considerations
•  Findings Summary for the Six Highest Ranked Options
•  Cost estimates and physical assumptions of all potential major capital investments (Updated April 27, 2007)
•  Description of evaluation measures, including data sources for evaluation (Updated April 27, 2007)
•  Score Normalization Formula and Description
•  Systems and options operating plans

Recent actions and activities
In January 2007, the Technical Committee reviewed some initial evaluation results for a few of the  Goals and Objectives - against which each of the eleven options are being evaluated. The committee received preliminary cost estimates for each individual capital improvement under consideration, as well as operating assumptions for connector bus services and capital projects. The Technical Committee reviewed the full evaluation at their March 29, 2007 meeting, including the absolute number (finding) and the relative “scaled score” of each option, by evaluation measure.

The committee discussed the challenge of providing technically sound guidance to the Policy Committee and to the public with respect to the Goal 6: “Reduce Adverse Environmental Impacts”, given the current level of knowledge about the options themselves and their potential environmental impacts at this point in the planning process. The committee took action to pursue a qualitative approach to evaluating  environmental considerations at this level of screening. The actual magnitude and severity of potential environmental impacts, and the feasibility of avoidance and/or mitigation of those impacts, will be examined in the next study phase for projects included in the option(s) ultimately short listed for further study. Through the NEPA process, more specific information will be developed about the projects and both the positive and negative impacts the transportation improvements are likely to have on our environment.

On May 3, 2007, the Committee narrowed its focus to the six highest ranking options.  Committee members continued their deliberations on the six options and a set of supporting recommendations on May 24 and May 31.  As a result, the committee agreed on three system recommendations to forward to the Policy Committee: a Main Line System recommendation consisting of Main Line options 1, 2, 4 with the differences between them serving as alternatives within the I-290 Corridor, a Concentric System recommendation comprising Concentric option 1 with some elements borrowed from Concentric option 2; and a Radial Reliant System recommendation evaluated as Radial Reliant option 1.  The committee also approved a set of supporting recommendations dealing with Major Capital Investments, Smart Corridors, Connector Services, Distribution/Circulation Services, Strategic Roadway Improvements and Policy Issues for consideration by the Policy Committee.

On April 24, 2008, the Technical Committee reviewed the March 2008 public comment period results and to consider the technical basis for any changes to the Policy Committee preliminary recommendations based on the public comment received.  As a result, the Committee concluded that there is no technical basis at this time to change the system recommendations.  One change to the supporting recommendations was suggested: the addition of a new supporting recommendation to develop and apply access management policies.

2008 Meeting Schedule
•  April 24, 2008 at 1:30 PM, Sears Tower, 8th Floor, Chicago
•  August 28, 2008 at 1:30PM, Sears Tower, 8th Floor, Chicago

Approved Meeting Summaries (Archive)
Technical Committee Summary – January 26, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – February 23, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – March 8, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – March 23, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – April 27, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – May 4, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – May 18, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – July 27, 2006
Special Topic Sessions – August 7 & 8, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – August 24, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – October 26, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – November 16, 2006
Technical Committee Summary – January 25, 2007
Technical Committee Summary – March 29, 2007
Technical Committee Summary – May 3, 2007
Technical Committee Summary – May 24/31, 2007


Citizen Advisory Committee

Roles and Responsibilities
•  Provide citizen-perspective guidance to the Policy Committee and RTA on the Public Involvement Plan, Goals and Objectives, and other written communications
•  Monitor effectiveness of outreach strategies
•  Review and provide input on preliminary outreach strategies, materials and events
•  Promote public awareness of Cook DuPage Corridor Study and encourage participation of others
•  Assist in dissemination of public materials and information
•  Identify potential needs or concerns and ways to resolve them


Membership Roster
•  Citizen Advisory Committee Roster as of March 14, 2007

Next scheduled meeting: 
• None Scheduled


Meeting materials for download:
•  April 24, 2008 Citizen Advisory Committee Agenda & Full Packet

 

Recent actions and activities
In anticipation of a public comment period to occur in fall 2007, in June the Citizen Advisory Committee reviewed strategies to more effectively reach out to various stakeholder groups in anticipation of a public comment period to occur in fall 2007.  The committee also reviewed the eleven transportation options to help the RTA make very technical information easier to understand by non-technical audiences. The presentation of study information (who, what, where and how) and a glossary of transportation terms used in the Cook DuPage Corridor study are on-going activities of the committee.

In April 2008, the Citizen Advisory Committee reviewed the public input that the RTA received during the March public comment period.  The Committee also provided advice and feedback to the RTA staff on public meeting format/design and outreach strategies; and considered whether any changes to the Policy Committee’s preliminary recommendations are warranted based on the public comment.  The Committee concluded that the public comments generally confirm and support the recommended system.  Some of the comments received reflect concerns regarding the potential community impacts of specific projects and effectiveness of some modes and strategies.  As a result, the Committee determined that further development and analysis of the proposed system is required to answer the public’s questions.  The Committee’s guidance to the Policy Committee was that no changes to system recommendations are warranted at this time based on the public comments received.  However, one change to the supporting recommendations is suggested: the addition of a new supporting recommendation to: Develop and apply access management policies.

2008 Meeting Schedule
•  April 24, 2008 at 12:00PM,
Sears Tower, 8th Floor, Chicago
•  To be Determined

Approved Meeting Summaries (Archive)
Citizen Advisory Committee Summary – April 27, 2006
Citizen Advisory Committee Summary – May 11, 2006 (filed)
Citizen Advisory Committee Summary – September 25, 2006 (filed)
Citizen Advisory Committee Summary – January 12, 2007  (filed)
Citizen Advisory Committee Summary – June 5, 2007  (filed)



Corridor Planning Standards Working Group

Roles and Responsibilities
•  Assist in the process to develop goals held mutually by corridor communities in key areas such as Mobility, Connectivity, Safety, Efficiency and Environment and other local values
•  Based on the goals, provide input into the development of preliminary and final Corridor Planning Standards
•  Facilitate efforts to gather local data and develop community profiles
•  Identify commonalities and differences among local values and community goals
•  Promote local awareness of Cook DuPage Corridor planning standards and encourage participation of others
•  Identify potential needs or concerns and ways to resolve them
•  Suggest possible qualitative and quantitative measures for gauging the attainment of standards
•  Share community perspectives and develop consensus on recommended standards

Membership Roster
•  Corridor Planning Standards Working Group roster as of March 14, 2007 (69 Kb)

Next scheduled meeting:
•  None scheduled

 

Meeting materials will be available on this page approximately one week before the meeting.


2008 Meeting Schedule
•  Meeting schedule to be determined

Approved Meeting Summaries (Archive)
Planning Standards Working Group Summary – February 23, 2006
Planning Standards Working Group Summary – March 23, 2006
Planning Standards Working Group Summary – July 27, 2006
Planning Standards Working Group Summary – August 24, 2006
Planning Standards Working Group Summary – October 19, 2006
Planning Standards Working Group Summary – November 3, 2006
Planning Standards Working Group Summary – November 17, 2006
• Planning Standards Working Group Summary – December 4, 2006 (Not yet available)

Other Working Groups

The RTA or the Cook DuPage Corridor Committees may choose to develop additional working group(s) to provide specific guidance or input on various study components. These working groups may include municipal, county and agency staff, the public, business and citizen advocates, or any others, as appropriate.

 
 
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