This project reflects the Metra Automated Communications and Onboard Reporting Network (ACORN) that includes the vehicle based technology to track train movement, report a train's adherence to the schedule, make onboard and platform announcements, perform automatic passenger counting, send digital information to onboard and platform signs, and communicate operational changes and alerts to customers. Project will also install a new communication network with a complete replacement of all hardware, including computers, GPS units, modems, and other components that are no longer supported or past their useful life or capacity. This project started in 2019 and there is an update in process.
As of 2026, all Metra cab cars and ADA trailers have tracking equipment installed. Metra is 70% complete on all other trailer equipment that will be added to the onboard network to drive signage. Metra is also updating their system to add an updated scheduling software to give boarding location information to passengers.
| Source | Flow | Destination | Status |
|---|
| Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | incident response status | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | infrastructure monitoring sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | secure area sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | secure area surveillance control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | threat information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | transportation system status | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| City of Chicago DOT Roadway Maintenance | road weather information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| City of Chicago Operations Center (OC) | infrastructure monitoring sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| City of Chicago Operations Center (OC) | secure area sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| City of Chicago Operations Center (OC) | secure area surveillance control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| City of Chicago Operations Center (OC) | threat information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| City of Chicago Operations Center (OC) | transportation system status | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| City of Chicago TMC | rail crossing advisories | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| City of Chicago TMC | road network conditions | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways Maintenance Bureau | road weather information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Cook County EOC | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Cook County Sheriff Communications Center | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| DuPage County EOC | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| DuPage County EOC | incident information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| DuPage County EOC | incident response status | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| DuPage County EOC | infrastructure monitoring sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| DuPage County EOC | secure area sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| DuPage County EOC | secure area surveillance control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| DuPage County EOC | threat information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| DuPage County EOC | transportation system status | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| DuPage County TMC | road network conditions | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Grundy County TMC | road network conditions | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| IDOT District 1 ComCenter | incident information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| IDOT District 1 ComCenter | incident response status | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| IDOT District 1 ComCenter | road weather information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| IDOT District 1 Maintenance Management | maint and constr work plans | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| IDOT District 1 Traffic Systems Center (TSC) | rail crossing advisories | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| IDOT District 1 Traffic Systems Center (TSC) | road network conditions | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Kane County EOC | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Kendall County TMC | road network conditions | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Kenosha Transit Dispatch | transit service coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Kenosha Transit Dispatch | transit traveler information coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Lake County EOC | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| McHenry County EOC | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Automated Passenger Counting System | transit vehicle loading data | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Automated Passenger Counting System | transit vehicle location data | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Automated Passenger Counting System | transit vehicle schedule performance | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | alarm acknowledge | Metra Trains | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | driver instructions | Metra Automated Passenger Counting System | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | driver instructions | Metra On–Board Equipment | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | City of Chicago Operations Center (OC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | Cook County EOC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | Cook County Sheriff Communications Center | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | DuPage County EOC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | Kane County EOC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | Lake County EOC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | McHenry County EOC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Police | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | Statewide Emergency Operations Center | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | emergency evacuation coordination | Will County EOC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | infrastructure monitoring sensor data | Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | infrastructure monitoring sensor data | City of Chicago Operations Center (OC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | infrastructure monitoring sensor data | DuPage County EOC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | infrastructure monitoring sensor data | Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | infrastructure monitoring sensor data | Statewide Emergency Operations Center | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | railroad advisories | City of Chicago TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | railroad advisories | Grundy County TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | railroad advisories | IDOT District 1 Traffic Systems Center (TSC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | railroad schedules | City of Chicago TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | railroad schedules | Grundy County TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | railroad schedules | IDOT District 1 Traffic Systems Center (TSC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | remote vehicle disable | Metra Trains | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area sensor data | Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area sensor data | City of Chicago Operations Center (OC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area sensor data | DuPage County EOC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area sensor data | Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area sensor data | Statewide Emergency Operations Center | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area surveillance data | Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area surveillance data | City of Chicago Operations Center (OC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area surveillance data | DuPage County EOC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area surveillance data | Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | secure area surveillance data | Statewide Emergency Operations Center | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit alternate mode information | Water Taxi Service | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit and fare schedules | IDOT District 1 Traffic Systems Center (TSC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit and fare schedules | RTA/NITA Transit Hub | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit emergency coordination data | Metra Police | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit emergency data | Chicago Transit Authority Control Center | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit emergency data | City of Chicago 911 CAD | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit emergency data | IDOT District 1 ComCenter | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit emergency data | Illinois State Police Dispatch (Districts 2, 5 and Chicago) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit emergency data | Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit incident information | IDOT District 1 ComCenter | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit incident information | IDOT District 1 Traffic Systems Center (TSC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit information for media | Media | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit probe data | Metra Website | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit schedule adherence information | Metra Website | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit service coordination | Kenosha Transit Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit service coordination | Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit service coordination | Municipal Transit Operations | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit service coordination | NICTD Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit service coordination | Pace Control Center (IBS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit service coordination | Private Taxi Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit service coordination | Regional Transportation Authority Travel Information Center (TIC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit service coordination | RTA/NITA Transit Hub | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | City of Chicago TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | Cook County TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | DuPage County TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | IDOT District 1 Bureau of Traffic – Arterial Signal Operations | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | IDOT District 1 Traffic Systems Center (TSC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | Kane County TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | Kendall County TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | Lake County PASSAGE TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | McHenry County TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit system data | Will County TMC | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information | Metra Public Address System | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information | Metra Trains | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information | Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information coordination | Kenosha Transit Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information coordination | Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information coordination | Municipal Transit Operations | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information coordination | NICTD Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information coordination | Pace Control Center (IBS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information coordination | Private Taxi Dispatch | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information coordination | Regional Transportation Authority Travel Information Center (TIC) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit traveler information coordination | RTA/NITA Transit Hub | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit vehicle operator authentication update | Metra Trains | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Consolidated Control Facility | transit vehicle operator information | Metra Trains | Existing |
|---|
| Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | transit schedule information | Metra Trains | Existing |
|---|
| Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | transit service coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | transit traveler information | Metra Public Address System | Existing |
|---|
| Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | transit traveler information | Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | transit traveler information coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Parking Management Guidance System (PMGS) | parking information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Passenger Information Display System | transit traveler information | Metra Public Address System | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Passenger Information Display System | transit traveler information | Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Police | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Police | transit emergency coordination data | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Public Address System | transit information user request | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Public Address System | transit information user request | Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Public Address System | transit information user request | Metra Passenger Information Display System | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Public Address System | transit information user request | RTA/NITA Transit Hub | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Public Address System | transit traveler request | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Rail Operator | transit operations personnel input | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | alarm notification | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | demand response passenger and use data | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | demand response passenger and use data | Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit traveler request | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit vehicle conditions | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit vehicle conditions | Metra Maintenance Yards | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit vehicle loading data | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit vehicle loading data | Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit vehicle location data | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit vehicle location data | Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit vehicle operator authentication information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit vehicle schedule performance | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Trains | transit vehicle schedule performance | Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | transit information user request | Metra GPS Center (TIMS) | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | transit information user request | Metra Passenger Information Display System | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | transit information user request | RTA/NITA Transit Hub | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | transit traveler request | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | traveler request | RTA/NITA Transit Hub | Existing |
|---|
| Metra Website | interactive traveler information | User Personal Computing Devices | Existing |
|---|
| Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | incident information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | incident response status | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | infrastructure monitoring sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | secure area sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | secure area surveillance control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Municipal Public Safety Dispatch | threat information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Municipal Transit Operations | transit service coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Municipal Transit Operations | transit traveler information coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| NICTD Dispatch | transit service coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| NICTD Dispatch | transit traveler information coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Pace Control Center (IBS) | transit service coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Pace Control Center (IBS) | transit traveler information coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Private Taxi Dispatch | transit service coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Private Taxi Dispatch | transit traveler information coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Regional Transportation Authority Travel Information Center (TIC) | transit service coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Regional Transportation Authority Travel Information Center (TIC) | transit traveler information coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| RTA/NITA Transit Hub | broadcast traveler information | Metra Public Address System | Existing |
|---|
| RTA/NITA Transit Hub | interactive traveler information | Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | Existing |
|---|
| RTA/NITA Transit Hub | transit service coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| RTA/NITA Transit Hub | transit traveler information | Metra Public Address System | Existing |
|---|
| RTA/NITA Transit Hub | transit traveler information | Metra Visual Information Display System (VIDS) | Existing |
|---|
| RTA/NITA Transit Hub | transit traveler information coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Statewide Emergency Operations Center | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Statewide Emergency Operations Center | infrastructure monitoring sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Statewide Emergency Operations Center | secure area sensor control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Statewide Emergency Operations Center | secure area surveillance control | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Statewide Emergency Operations Center | threat information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Statewide Emergency Operations Center | transportation system status | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Water Taxi Service | alternate mode service data | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Weather Services | transportation weather information | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|
| Will County EOC | emergency evacuation coordination | Metra Consolidated Control Facility | Existing |
|---|