Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Parking Analysis

Regina Webster & Associates served as a sub-consultant to A. Epstein & Sons to provide traffic engineering services for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority in Chicago. The scope of work included data collection and analysis to address parking concerns for the 31st Street Lot B parking facility for McCormick Place and Soldier Field. RWA staff observed traffic queuing activities at Lot B for two major events. The first was a football game at Soldier Field that coincided with the Boat and RV Show at McCormick Place, and the second was the Chicago Auto Show, which attracts one of the largest crowds to McCormick Place every year. Based on the observations, RWA’s recommendations included the utilization of Intelligent Transportation Systems to redirect traffic to other lots to mitigate the length of queues on Lake Shore Drive and the I-55 exit ramp to southbound Lake Shore Drive. Additional recommendations were made for alterations in the circulation of shuttle buses to ease the traffic volumes at the entrances to McCormick Place.