On Wednesday, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced that a developer tools Web page will soon be added to its agency Website. The page will allow developers to more easily download data needed to create new or updated applications that will help improve travel planning.

CTA will launch a developer tools portal on the transitchicago.com Website that will provide pre-packaged application program interfaces, or APIs, initially for bus and rail schedules, customer alerts and Bus Tracker. Improved access to this data will enable developers to create new desktop applications, widgets, mobile applications or integrate it into existing programs related to travel. The Bus Tracker API is currently available at www.ctabustracker.com and will be available on the developer tools page when launched.

In addition, the CTA also will begin sharing its real-time bus service information with the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). An ordinance authorizing the data sharing agreement between the two agencies was approved on Wednesday by the Chicago Transit Board.

In an effort to gain a better understanding of traffic conditions throughout the city, OEMC is planning to develop, test and operate an Arterial Performance Monitoring System (APMS) using the Bus Tracker data to estimate real-time conditions of vehicular traffic on major streets and roadways throughout the city.