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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
FHWA Highway Safety Programs

Chicago, Illinois – 55th Street

ROAD DIET INCLUDES PARKING-SEPARATED BICYCLE LANES

Objective Features Results
  • Improve safety and connectivity for bicyclists
  • Maintain efficient bus operation
  • Transit route
  • University and athletic fields
  • Residential and commercial uses
  • Fire station
  • Transit route
  • University and athletic fields
  • Residential and commercial uses
  • Fire station

 

Illustration of the 0.8 mile segment of 55th street on which the road diet configuration was applied.

Illustrations depict the four-lane roadway with a parking lane in either direction in the before configuration, the three lane roadway with parking-separated bicycle lanes on either side in the after configuration, and a photo of the after configuration.

BACKGROUND

In 2011, an announcement from Chicago's mayor that the city would install 100 miles of separated bicycle lanes was the starting point that led to the Road Diet on 55th Street. From Cottage Grove Avenue to Dorchester Avenue, this 0.8-mile segment of roadway runs along the University of Chicago campus and ends on the west end at Washington Park. This Road Diet transformed a 4-lane roadway with parking on both sides to a 3-lane roadway with parking-separated bicycle lanes. The land use along 55th Street is primarily a mix of institutional, residential, commercial, and service uses, including a fire station.

The University of Chicago buildings and athletic fields abut 55th Street on one side, and a service drive parallels a portion of this corridor.

Bus Entry Photo: Stacey Meekins
Bus Entry		 Bus stop and shared lane at intersection, through intersection markings Photo: Stacey Meekins
Bus stop and shared lane at intersection, through intersection markings

 

DESIGNING FOR BUS STOPS AND SEPARATED BICYCLE LANES

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has a primary bus route along this corridor, with headways ranging from 5 to 20 minutes throughout the day. The city coordinated extensively with the CTA on the design of the Road Diet. The overall design and layout of the bus stops in coordination with the separated bicycle lanes was a critical issue to maintain efficient bus operation.

The addition of bicycle lanes is a great advantage to university of Chicago students, staff, and visitors

Diagram illustrates the design for a bus stop on the approach to an intersection on the 55th street corridor.

RESULTS

The 55th Street Road Diet experienced the following results after installation.

  • Speeding had been an issue on the corridor prior to the Road Diet, but since the conversion, drivers have been closely adhering to the 30 mph speed limit.
  • One business owner was concerned about losing on-street parking spaces, but overall he felt that cars were driving slower now and he saw the bicycle lane as an important addition.
  • According to a city engineer, the Road Diet has made it easier for pedestrians to cross 55th Street at intersecting roadways.
  • The community expressed that the Road Diet has benefited livability. Since 55th Street runs along the University of Chicago campus, the addition of bicycle lanes was a great advantage to students, staff, and visitors.