Buckner Calls on NITA to Make Autonomous Vehicles Part of Regional Transit Planning


Buckner Calls on NITA to Make Autonomous Vehicles Part of Regional Transit Planning

 

House Sponsor of Illinois AV legislation urges new transit authority to explore first- and last-mile connections, accessibility, underserved communities and integration with CTA, Metra and Pace

State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, is calling on the newly established Northern Illinois Transit Authority to begin planning now for the integration of autonomous vehicles into northeastern Illinois’ public transportation system.

In a letter to NITA Chair Tom Kotarac, Buckner urged the Authority to develop a Regional Autonomous Mobility Integration Framework examining how autonomous vehicles could complement CTA, Metra and Pace rather than develop as a separate transportation network.

“The autonomous vehicle should help solve the mile the train cannot, not replace the twenty miles the train already does better,” Buckner said. “If this technology is coming to Illinois, we should decide now how it can strengthen public transportation instead of waiting until thousands of autonomous trips are already happening on our streets.”

Buckner, the House sponsor of HB 4663, the Autonomous Vehicle Pilot Project Act, has been working on a framework for the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles in Illinois. The legislation remains pending in the Illinois House.

His letter asks NITA to study opportunities for autonomous vehicles to provide first- and last-mile connections to rail and bus service, improve transportation options in underserved communities, expand mobility for seniors and people with disabilities, and fill late-night or low-frequency service gaps.

Buckner also called for coordination on station infrastructure, trip planning and payment integration, labor impacts, rider privacy, data sharing and the effect autonomous ride-hailing could have on public transit ridership.

The proposal builds on responsibilities already given to NITA under Illinois law. The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act directs the agency to study new transportation developments, encourage experimentation with public transportation technology and participate with public and private partners in transportation technology pilot programs.

Buckner pointed to the Bay Area as an example of the kind of integration Illinois should explore, including connections between autonomous ride-hailing and regional rail stations.

“We just created NITA because riders should not have to navigate a collection of disconnected transportation systems,” Buckner said. “That same philosophy should apply to emerging technology. A rider does not care which agency or company operates each part of the trip. They are trying to get somewhere.”

Buckner specifically asked NITA to establish a point of coordination among the Authority, IDOT, CTA, Metra, Pace and autonomous vehicle operators; begin identifying potential pilot locations and integration opportunities; and incorporate autonomous mobility into the region’s long-term transportation and infrastructure planning.

“If we get this right, autonomous vehicles can help complete the regional transit system rather than compete with it,” Buckner said. “Illinois has an opportunity to build that relationship from the beginning instead of trying to retrofit it years from now.”

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