Photo obtained from Chicago Department of Transportation. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

By Steven Dahlman

5-Nov-24 – The City of Chicago is evaluating a new program aimed at keeping downtown pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders safe from drivers who obstruct bike lanes, bus lanes, crosswalks, no-parking zones, and commercial loading zones designated for deliveries.

Eight City of Chicago vehicles have been fitted with automated enforcement cameras that will read the license plate of an offending vehicle and send a citation to the registered owner. The vehicles will capture violations as they go about their regular city business.

The Smart Streets pilot program is currently issuing warnings only, but starting on December 5, drivers will get a warning for the first offense, then risk fines.

2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins says the goal of the program is not to collect significant revenue but to change behavior.

“I have long advocated for and worked toward the use of technology to enforce existing laws and free up police bandwidth,” said Hopkins. “These obstructions are both extremely inconvenient for those traveling by any mode and, in many cases, dangerous.”

(Left) Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Tom Carney speaks at a press event on November 4 at the intersection of North Milwaukee Avenue & West Chicago Avenue. Alderman Hopkins is at far right. Photo provided by Alderman Hopkins.

The pilot program will operate from Lake Michigan west to Ashland Avenue and North Avenue south to Roosevelt Road. It will run for two years from the date the first citation is issued, then expand to more vehicles and be a permanent part of traffic enforcement downtown.