Transportation Performance Management

State Highway Reliability Report - Illinois

The information below summarizes the TPM Highway Reliability performance measures, which include two highway reliability measures and one truck travel time reliability measure. Per 23 CFR 490, State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are required to establish 2- and 4-year targets for these measures. The targets should represent the anticipated condition/performance at the mid-point and end of the 4-year performance period. State DOTs establish targets at the beginning of each 4-year performance period, and report on progress every two years. When establishing targets, State DOTs have the flexibility to use the methodology they deem most appropriate. FHWA encourages States to review data sets and trends and consider factors that may affect targets. Performance targets should be data-driven, realistic, and attainable and should align with the performance management framework and legislative intent.

The targets and discussion of basis for targets, optional adjustment of targets, progress, and planned activities were provided by the State DOT in its most recent biennial performance report. FHWA has not edited this information. It is provided to help bring context to the State DOT's performance targets and progress. The data in the tables and graphs is from the biennial performance report or HPMS data submittal as noted below each measure summary. Any questions about the information should be directed to the State DOT.

Data reported by State DOTs was collected in the previous year, representing the condition/performance at the time of collection. Thus, in the tables and graphs below, FHWA labels data with the year representing the condition/performance, rather than the year the data was reported. The same thing is done for the targets--the year represents when the corresponding actual condition/performance data will be collected, not reported. More Information.

Significant Progress Determination
FHWA determines significant progress for these measures after the mid-point and end of each performance period. A State has met or made significant progress toward target achievement if “actual” condition/performance is equal to or better than the established two-year target or “actual” condition/performance is better than baseline performance 23 CFR 490.109(e). As provided in 23 CFR 490.107(b)(2)(ii)(A), baseline condition/performance is derived from the latest data collected through the beginning date of the performance period. FHWA will classify the assessment of progress toward the achievement of an individual 2-year or 4-year target as “progress not determined” if a State provides the extenuating circumstance information required in 23 CFR 490.109(e)(5), and FHWA accepts the information.

Most recent Significant Progress Determination for the Reliability measures

Most recent Significant Progress Determination for all applicable measures

• 

  Interstate Highway Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

• • Trend through 2021

    Desired trend: ↑

    Illinois % of Interstate Highway Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

    
    

• Interstate Highway Reliable Person-Miles Traveled	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
  Condition/Performance	80.8	78.5	79.3	91.6	85.3
  Target	--	--	79.0	--	77.0

• Interstate Highway Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

  • Basis for Targets
  • 2-yr Progress
  • Basis for 4-yr Target Adjustment
  • 4-yr Planned Activities
  • 4-yr Progress

  VMT has been trending upward since 2014, with increased VMT and major interstate reconstruction projects occurring or planned to occur over the performance period it is anticipated for the performance of the system to continually slowly decline and IDOT’s targets indicate that. Major upcoming construction projects District 1 • Jane Byrne Interchange • Tri-State Expressway • Elgin/O’Hare Western Access District 8 • MLK Bridge • Collector/Distributor Lanes Closed that provide access to the Poplar Street Bridge in Metro East. • Resurfacing I-70 • I-55/I-70 lane restrictions • Resurfacing and Bridge Repair on 55/64

  The Department's Asset Management plan was developed, completed, and approved in August 2019. The Department will continue to follow the approved 2019 Illinois TAMP to program its Multi-Year Program and Annual Programs. Additionally, strategies identified and being implemented as possible in our Long Range Transportation Plan assisted us in achieving our 2 year target. (www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/planning/lrtp/index) The state also passed a new Rebuild Illinois Capital Program in 2019 that will provide additional funding that will help the Department implement strategies identified within the LRTP and TAMP.

  N/A

  Illinois TAMP approved in August of 2019. A new Capital Program was passed in 2019 that will provide additional revenue. Improved communication with NHS Local jurisdictions to provide them current data and the Departments TAMP goals and guidelines.

  No specific investments or accomplishments were completed with the Annual or MultiYear programs focused exclusively on Travel Time Reliability. As noted in the Department's 2019 TAMP, there was not sufficient funding available to maintain the existing system or to focus new resources specifically on this new Federal Performance Measure during the initial 4 year reporting period. With the passing of the federal IIJA and the Illinois RBI, additional funding became available. The Department has developed a Data Driven Decision tool for new capacity projects. The Data Driven Decision tool uses both travel time reliability and inclusion in the National Highway Freight Network in its scoring process for capacity improvements. The Illinois Competitive Freight Program included criteria for truck bottlenecks, user cost of congestion, and grade crossing delay in its scoring which provided points for projects that improve freight related congestion. Further, the Department is in the process of completing and implementing a Transportation System Maintenance and Operations (TSMO) plan that will improve identification and response to congestion issues. The 4-year target was exceeded and additionally improved from the 2-year actual condition. The largest driver of this improvement were the results of COVID-19 and the changes in traffic patterns that occurred during calendar years 2020 and 2021. IDOT set a decreasing target for the initial 4 year target. Since the actual results exceeded the target, IDOT made significant progress.

• Data Sources:
  Illinois 2018, 2020, 2022 Biennial Performance Report
  Illinois 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 HPMS Data Submittal

• 

  Non-Interstate National Highway System (NHS) Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

• • Trend through 2021

    Desired trend: ↑

    Illinois % of Non-Interstate NHS reliable Person-Miles Traveled

    
    

• Non-Interstate NHS reliable Person-Miles Traveled	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
  Condition/Performance	--	--	89.6	93.8	94.2
  Target	--	--	--	--	83.3

  Behind the data: For the first performance period only, baseline condition and 2-year targets are not required for the Non-Interstate NHS reliability measure.

• 
  

  Non-Interstate National Highway System (NHS) Reliable Person-Miles Traveled

  • Basis for Targets
  • 2-yr Progress
  • Basis for 4-yr Target Adjustment
  • 4-yr Planned Activities
  • 4-yr Progress

  Utilizing the CATT Lab NPMRDS tools, the 2017 baseline showed 87.3% reliable. VMT has been trending upward since 2014, with increased VMT and major interstate reconstruction projects occurring or planned to occur over the performance period it is anticipated for the performance of the system to continually slowly decline and IDOT’s targets indicate that. Major upcoming construction projects District 1 • Jane Byrne Interchange • Tri-State Expressway • Elgin/O’Hare Western Access District 8 • MLK Bridge • Collector/Distributor Lanes Closed that provide access to the Poplar Street Bridge in Metro East. • Resurfacing I-70 • I-55/I-70 lane restrictions • Resurfacing and Bridge Repair on 55/64

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  No specific investments or accomplishments were completed with the Annual or MultiYear programs focused exclusively on Travel Time Reliability. As noted in the Department's 2019 TAMP, there was not sufficient funding available to maintain the existing system or to focus new resources specifically on this new Federal Performance Measure during the initial 4 year reporting period. With the passing of the federal IIJA and the Illinois RBI, additional funding became available. The Department has developed a Data Driven Decision tool for new capacity projects. The Data Driven Decision tool uses both travel time reliability and inclusion in the National Highway Freight Network in its scoring process for capacity improvements. The Illinois Competitive Freight Program included criteria for truck bottlenecks, user cost of congestion, and grade crossing delay in its scoring which provided points for projects that improve freight related congestion. Further, the Department is in the process of completing and implementing a Transportation System Maintenance and Operations (TSMO) plan that will improve identification and response to congestion issues. The 4-year target was exceeded and additionally improved from the 2-year actual condition. The largest driver of this improvement were the results of COVID-19 and the changes in traffic patterns that occurred during calendar years 2020 and 2021. IDOT set a decreasing target for the initial 4 year target. Since the actual results exceeded the target, IDOT made significant progress.

• Data Sources:
  Illinois 2018, 2020, 2022 Biennial Performance Report
  Illinois 2020, 2021, 2022 HPMS Data Submittal

• 

  Interstate Highway Truck Travel Time Reliability (TTTR) Index

• • Trend through 2021

    Desired trend: ↓

     

    Illinois Truck Travel Time Reliability Index

    
    

• Truck Travel Time Reliability Index	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
  Condition/Performance	1.30	1.33	1.33	1.24	1.28
  Target	--	--	1.34	--	1.37

• Interstate Highway Truck Travel Time Reliability

  • Basis for Targets
  • 2-yr Progress
  • Basis for 4-yr Target Adjustment
  • 4-yr Planned Activities
  • 4-yr Progress

  VMT has been trending upward since 2014, with increased VMT and major interstate reconstruction projects occurring or planned to occur over the performance period it is anticipated for the performance of the system to continually slowly decline and IDOT’s targets indicate that. Major upcoming construction projects District 1 • Jane Byrne Interchange • Tri-State Expressway • Elgin/O’Hare Western Access District 8 • MLK Bridge • Collector/Distributor Lanes Closed that provide access to the Poplar Street Bridge in Metro East. • Resurfacing I-70 • I-55/I-70 lane restrictions • Resurfacing and Bridge Repair on 55/64

  The Department's Freight Plan was developed, completed, and approved in April 2018 and the TAMP in August of 2019. The Department is currently conducting a study that will update the freight bottleneck findings from the original freight plan, analyze the factors that contribute to these bottlenecks and address possible solutions to alleviate the bottlenecks. The preliminary findings have been put into a memo and uploaded to FHWA PMF site. The Department will continue to follow the approved Freight and TAMP to program its Multi-Year Program and Annual Programs. Strategies identified and being implemented as possible in our Long Range Transportation Plan assisted us in achieving our 2 year target. (www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/planning/lrtp/index) Appendix E of the LRTP is the Department's Implementation Matrix. The state also passed a new Rebuild Illinois Capital Program in 2019 that will provide additional funding that will help the Department implement strategies identified within the LRTP and TAMP.

  N/A

  The Department will continue to follow the approved Freight and TAMP to program its Multi-Year Program and Annual Programs. Additionally, strategies identified and being implemented as possible in our Long Range Transportation Plan assisted us in achieving our 2 year target. (www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/planning/lrtp/index). Chapter 6 of the Freight Plan (www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/planning/illinois-state-freight-plan) discusses the freight investment project priorities that IDOT has identified through its Competitive Freight Program grant opportunity. The state also passed a new Rebuild Illinois Capital Program in 2019 that will provide additional funding that will help the Department implement strategies identified within the LRTP and TAMP.

  The Department monitored performance throughout the height of the pandemic which caused a significant shift in traffic patterns but in the end the target was met. This was achieved in part through continuing efforts to identify truck bottlenecks as shown by the Truck Bottleneck study completed in 2021 and several interstate projects funded through the competitive freight program that were part of the last FAST Act compliant state freight plan. The Data Driven Decisions tool uses both travel time reliability and inclusion in the National Highway Freight Network in its scoring process for capacity improvements. The Illinois Competitive Freight Program included criteria for truck bottlenecks, user cost of congestion, and grade crossing delay in its scoring which provided points for projects that improve freight related congestion. This increases the probability that Freights funds will be used to correct existing problems. The Department also has quarterly meetings with the Illinois State Freight Advisory Council to keep abreast of freight trends and needs. The meetings cover future plans and future needs that are incorporated into the call for projects and project selection.

• Data Sources:
  Illinois 2018, 2020, 2022 Biennial Performance Report
  Illinois 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 HPMS Data Submittal

Significant Progress Determination

This table shows FHWA’s most recent determination for the Infrastructure performance measures.

PLEASE NOTE: Each State’s performance target assessment is based on its own State-specific target methodology and program philosophy. Therefore, conclusions should not be drawn based only on the information in the Significant Progress Determination Results table. FHWA understands that each State’s program is unique and therefore does not prescribe a methodology for States to set targets. States have the flexibility to use the methodology they deem most appropriate when setting their performance targets. 

³ The 2-year condition/performance, in 2020 Mid Performance Period Progress Report, as the baseline condition/performance, as required in 23 CFR 490.105(e)(7)(iii).