The City of Chicago has officially launched the Smart Streets Pilot program, an initiative leveraging camera technology to enforce parking and standing violations in bus and bike lanes. The program, led by Iowa-based Modaxo, aims to improve transit efficiency, protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, and modernize the city’s transportation system. The $2.2 million contract with Modaxo, finalized on September 30, 2024, retrofitted eight city vehicles with cameras to monitor and enforce violations within the designated pilot area.
There will be a 30-day warning period during which vehicle owners will receive mailed warnings for infractions. Starting December 5, fines will be issued for repeat violations. Plans are in place for up to six Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses to join the program in 2025, further bolstering enforcement on priority routes.
The cameras detect and capture violations such as illegal parking in bus-only and bike lanes. Data collected will be reviewed by the Department of Finance (DOF) before issuing warnings or fines. Operating within an area bounded by Lake Michigan, Ashland Avenue, North Avenue, and Roosevelt Road, the two-year pilot aims to enhance traffic safety and ensure compliance with transit rules.
City officials have emphasized that the pilot’s goals include improving the flow of traffic, reducing congestion, and ensuring buses and cyclists have safe, unobstructed access.
The initiative also includes a provision for low-income drivers to seek relief through the Clear Path Relief Program. The city faced initial procurement challenges before selecting Modaxo as its technology vendor, but the program aims to serve as a model for improving urban transit efficiency and safety nationwide. The effectiveness of the program will be evaluated through a summary report to the City Council at the end of the pilot period.
