DOWNTOWN — A pilot program that automatically tickets drivers blocking downtown bike and bus lanes launched Monday — nearly two years after the city approved it.

The Smart Streets pilot program, adopted in March 2023, calls for the use of city ​​cameras to catch and coerce drivers illegally parked on cycle paths, bus lanes, bus stops and pedestrian crossings.

The boundaries of the pilot program extend from Lake Michigan to Ashland Avenue and from North Avenue to Roosevelt Road.

During the first 30 days of the program, the city will only mail warnings to owners of registered cars found parked on bike and bus lanes. Starting Dec. 5, violating drivers will receive a notice in the mail for the first violation and then be fined for subsequent violations, according to a news release.

Fines for blocking a bike lane costs $250. Low-income drivers will be eligible for auto debt assistance through the Clear Path Relief Programdepending on the city.

“Using automated technology to enforce parking violations in bus and bicycle lanes, this pilot program helps us improve the reliability of public transport and protect our vulnerable road users,” said the Mayor Brandon Johnson in a statement.

The pilot program was supposed to last two years after its passage, but the deadline was extended in July after the program launched. significantly delayed. The Chicago Department of Transportation said the delay was due to difficulties finding a vendor for the program. according to Ald. Office of Brendan Reilly (42nd).

On September 30, the city awarded Modaxo Traffic Management USA INC, an Iowa-based technology company, a contract worth more than $2.2 million to run the pilot program, according to city records.

The company equipped eight city vehicles with cameras to enforce parking violations in the program’s pilot zone, according to a press release.

The program will be active for two years after the first official ticket is issued. For this reason, the city’s transportation agency estimates the program will last until somewhere between fall 2026 and winter 2027.

“By keeping bus and bike lanes free of illegal parking, we can ensure that Chicago’s growing network of dedicated bus and bike lanes operates to its full potential, improving safety while reducing delays for commuters and improving traffic flow,” said the Commissioner of the Ministry of Transport. ” Tom Carney said in a statement.

In 2025, the Chicago Transit Authority plans to install camera ticketing equipment on up to six buses. The city is currently in the acquisition process for this purpose, according to a press release.

Before the Smart Streets pilot program ends, the city’s transportation and finance departments will provide a report to the city council with information on the program’s effectiveness in improving traffic safety.

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