Transit Supportive Guidelines

What are Transit Supportive Guidelines?

The goal of the Transit Supportive Guidelines (TSG) is to foster reliable, efficient, convenient, and accessible transit in communities throughout the Chicago region that are served by Pace Suburban Bus. By shaping the built environment to support all modes of movement – from the transit vehicle itself, to pedestrians walking down the street – a more effective regional transit service can enhance the quality of life for Chicagoland’s citizens.

These Guidelines present principles and standards that may be implemented by municipalities, designers, engineers, and many others. Ultimately, it is Pace’s vision to provide a higher level of bus service to places that actively remove barriers to transit as a viable transportation choice. 

Originally published in 2013, the Guidelines were updated in January 2024 with an addendum for Pulse, Pace's arterial bus rapid transit service. The addendum focuses on tailored development standards for Pulse service. Through collaboration with units of government, developers, and private property owners, Pulse drives economic development, improves accessibility, and enhances the overall quality of life in our region. 

To have access to effective public transit, every step of the user’s trip must be accessible, efficient, safe, and comfortable. The transit system must eliminate barriers – real or perceived – in order to make it a viable or preferred alternative.

Pace has also created a webinar for stakeholders to learn more about the design guidelines for transit supportive communities. Click the link above to view the webinar or see it in PDF form.

Why Use the Guidelines?

It is not simply the transit provider and rider who benefit; but rather, it is the municipalities, the development community, the non-transit riders, and others that can gain economic, environmental and quality of life benefits. Please click here to find out how using these guidelines can benefit many sectors of a community.

How to Use the Guidelines

The Transit Supportive Guidelines are intended to be read and used by a number of audiences. However, each person may use them differently, depending on their professional or civic role. The links below provide information on how the guidelines relate to specific groups, their role in implementing the guidelines, and which portions of the guidelines most directly apply to them.

Elected Officials

Municipal Staff

Developers

Architects & Engineers

Transportation Professionals

Residents & Businesses

Design Review Assistance

Pace offers complementary in-house technical review under its Design Review Assistance For Transit (D.R.A.F.T.) program. Developers and designers can participate in the program voluntarily, though municipalities may require Pace review as a part of local development review. These reviews are conducted by Pace’s Transportation Engineer and are designed to promote the incorporation of public transportation features in suburban developments. The provision of transit service also is analyzed during this plan review process.