Slow zones

Several folks have asked about "slow zones" on our rail system -- what, why, and where.

WHAT: Slow zones are any section of track where the maximum allowable train speed has been reduced to 15, 25, 35 mph from a higher speed.

WHY: The top three factors that lead to slow zones on the CTA rail system include:

• Defective Track (i.e. bad rail ties, worn track, uneven ballast etc.)
• Structural Problems (i.e. Purple bridges/viaducts; span replacements, deteriorated foundations)
• Construction (Red, Brown rehabs). With workers on the tracks, trains reduce speed for safety.
  

WHERE: This map (PDF) shows non-construction slow zones throughout the system as of late July. Construction slow zones, especially now on the Red and Brown lines, vary by day. To answer a specific question posed here earlier, there is 18,710 feet of slow zone track between Thorndale and Lake Street southbound on the Red Line -- 4210 feet at 15mph, 7600 feet at 25mph and 6900 feet at 35mph.

Obviously slow zones increase travel time for our customers and increase CTA's operating costs. As you can see from the map, however, there is a direct correlation between the capital improvement initiatives CTA has undertaken to bring its system a state of good repair and the decrease in slow zones on its rail system. The older the infrastructure, the more slow zones we have. For example,

• The Cermak/Douglas Blue Line used to be more than 40% slow zones, with the completion of the nearly half-billion dollar reconstruction project that number is now ZERO, and travel times have been slashed by 15 minutes or more.
• The Green Line reconstruction eliminated slow zones on the Lake Street branch.
• The Yellow Line 3rd rail conversion project eliminated slow zones.
• CTA's newest line, the Orange Line, has no slow zones.
• The Dan Ryan Red Line and Brown Line projects also will eliminate those slow zones.
  

Overall, we have identified funding to eliminate about 90% of CTA's slow zones (including all Red Line slow zones) and we're moving forward with repairs. The new federal transportation law signed by President Bush this week includes a significant increase in federal capital formula funding that we hope will accelerate these types of improvements. As I have noted previously, the next step is to secure non-federal matching funds to ensure that Metra, Pace, and CTA can qualify for these much-needed federal dollars.