Decoding Chicago Traffic Reports
Oct 15, 2010 | 9:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
Decoding Chicago Traffic Reports
Here's a fun time-waster:
http://blogs.vocalo.org/jkaufmann/20...9264841f5f%2C0
Our great traffic reporter Sarah Jindra spent some extra time on the clock this week to put together a PDF for Chicago traffic beginners. Even if you are a long-time Chicagoan, there are probably some parts of the traffic reports that baffle you. Well, Jindra did the dirty work and now you can use this resource to be the smartest guy in your car.
Oct 30, 2010 | 11:54 am
#3
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,223
There really used to be a rush hour once. Then it became two hours, Then three. Now I expect the roads to be crowded between 7AM and 7PM, and plan accordingly. Most of the time that works.
Sarah Jindra is fun to listen to; the guys at 780AM also do a good job. Another good source before leaving home is Google maps.
Sarah Jindra is fun to listen to; the guys at 780AM also do a good job. Another good source before leaving home is Google maps.
Oct 31, 2010 | 9:08 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,405
I've found this to be the best traffic report:
http://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/m...me=chicagoArea
http://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/m...me=chicagoArea
Oct 31, 2010 | 11:51 am
#7
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,223
I've found this to be the best traffic report:
http://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/m...me=chicagoArea
http://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/m...me=chicagoArea
Oct 31, 2010 | 10:04 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, US
Posts: 2,210
It's the successor to GCM. Bigger area, adds Madison, SW Michigan, Rockford, Quad Cities to the original Gary/Chicago/Milwaukee, so they renamed it. UIC is still involved from a technical perspective.
Nov 22, 2010 | 12:33 am
#10
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
I think its all basically the same information - sensors in the pavement. Although some of its supplemented by the helicopters and people calling in items too.
Dec 29, 2010 | 12:13 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ORD/CLE
Programs: UA-1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 295
Finally got to check out the guide (WBEZ.org is blocked at work due to streaming media hogging bandwidth)...learned a couple new things. I remember when first moving to Chicago trying to decipher the traffic reports, but most of it gets fairly intuitive after a week or two of remembering where the major crossroads/exits being referenced are located.
Sarah Jindra is my favorite Chicago traffic reporter. Easy to follow and very thorough. She puts in some long days, too. She's on WBEZ around 5:30am and does the last traffic report there at 6:30pm.
Sarah Jindra is my favorite Chicago traffic reporter. Easy to follow and very thorough. She puts in some long days, too. She's on WBEZ around 5:30am and does the last traffic report there at 6:30pm.