Goal

Transportation Mobility

Create a more connected and accessible inter-county and regional transportation network that enhances mobility for our workforce and residents and improves the movement of cargo and goods for businesses.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the movement of both cargo and people through DuPage County and the region.

Initial declines in public transit ridership from the beginning of the pandemic continue to be further exacerbated by the slow return of workforce to offices. This has created an even greater gap in services that connect people to employment centers, particularly for underserved populations. It also provides increased challenges for the first- and last-mile commute problem.

In addition, the transportation, logistics, and warehousing and manufacturing industries are rapidly expanding. The movement of cargo and freight through our region has become an essential component to many business operations in DuPage and throughout Chicagoland. Understanding the needs of these growing sectors and identifying impediments within our transportation network is essential to help us increase the flow of freight through the region and move goods through the county and region in an expedited manner.

Key Activities:

  • Choose DuPage will work towards the following action items in partnership with the DuPage County Department of Transportation (DuDOT), RTA, PACE, Metra, GCEP, the regional business community, and other transportation stakeholders.
  • Complete DuDOT’s DuPage County Mobility Plan, which will be used to develop new county-wide policies on transportation mobility.
  • Identify opportunities to increase inter-county and regional transit connections to better serve all parts of the county and region.
  • Host a ‘Transportation Forum’ with key stakeholders to better understand current trends in workforce mobility and identify clear transportation priorities.
  • Identify and understand the needs of underserved employment centers and build strategies to enhance connectivity through all modes of transportation (i.e., biking, carpooling, walking, new sidewalks, designated van pool spots at train stations, subsidy programs).
  • Encourage transit-oriented development and infrastructure that promotes all modes of transportation and supports transit transfers, connectivity, and land-use improvements.
  • Understand impediments in freight transportation mobility and support opportunities to connect and upgrade infrastructure for the health and economic prosperity of our business community.
  • Raise awareness of new, innovative funding opportunities for transportation pilot programs, and showcase existing private sector transportation programs, that enhance workforce mobility, especially for underserved populations, and address the last mile commuting challenges.