Chicago’s Multimodal Planning Tool Compares Options

6/30/2009 10:00:00 PM

“goroo” sorts by travel time, cost and environmental impact…

Los Angeles, CA, July 2009 – According the LA Metro Magazine’s July issue, the Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has been utilizing a multi-modal online trip planner known as “goroo” which is designed to provide the residents of northeastern Illinois with side-by-side comparisons of trip itineraries using transit, driving, walking, biking or a combination of these options.  The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) which put out a request for proposals for a multi-modal trip planner in 2005, funded the $1 million demonstration project.  While other cities competed for the funding, Chicago was chosen as the pilot site with the hope of replication elsewhere later on.   According to Gerry Tumbali, manager of Engineering & Technology for the RTA, “the FTA envisioned a web-based multi-modal trip planner that would allow users to choose from travel options that incorporate convenience, efficiency and cost among other features, while utilizing all forms of available transportation. goroo is truly the first online trip planner that combines all transportation options into a single resource — including (transit) driving, walking and biking directions.” Added Steve Schlickman, RTA Executive Director, “we’re very excited about this new trip planning tool that we hope will help increase transit ridership while reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.” “goroo equips anyone using it with valuable information that can help them save money and time, which is highly desirable during these challenging economic times,” he added.

First Mile

transit Multi-modal