ITRC SUMMARY REPORT

December 31, 1996

PROJECT: Waterway Systems Traffic Analysis

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. C. Jotin Khisty, Illinois Institute of Technology

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Analyze current traffic on the Chicago River and Lock systems to: 1) determine the capacity of the system, current traffic and project the future traffic growth; 2) identify and analyze existing traffic conflicts; 3) project future conflicts; and 4) identify potential solutions to reduce traffic conflicts.

ABSTRACT OF PROJECT

The researchers reviewed the literature on lock delay modeling and simulation, collected traffic data from lockage reports at the Chicago Lock, forecast future traffic based on historical trends, studied traffic conflicts by interviewing persons directly involved in river traffic, viewed lock operations directly, studied accident data from the U.S. Coast Guard, developed capacity and level-of-service concepts for the lock, and performed queuing analysis of the lock operation to estimate average delays. Based on these analyses, the following recommendations for reducing future traffic conflicts on the river were given:

• Restrict new tour boat companies
• Emphasize and enforce “no wake” zones near the lock
• Emphasize and enforce certification of boaters
• Increase law enforcement patrols on Chicago River and in the lock area.

Recommendations to reduce conflicts at the lock were:

• Rules for lock usage should be made available to all users in the form of flyers
• More signs should be posted to inform users on safety, signals, and procedures.

APPLICABILITY OF RESULTS

The forecast of growth of traffic, particularly recreational vessels, could result in deteriorating service at the Chicago River lock. The recommended improvements may help alleviate conflicts and accidents as use of the river increases.