Summary

This report examines the travel characteristics of disadvantaged population groups in the Washington, D.C., region, and the potential impact of the 2004 Financially Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan on these population groups. Benefits and burdens of the plan are measured in terms of accessibility to jobs by transit and by automobile. Transit use and carpooling is more common among minority, low-income, and disabled workers, compared to the general population. These population groups are also more likely to live near transit and less likely to have access to vehicles, compared to the general population. Between 2005 and 2030, the average number of jobs accessible by automobile is expected to increase slightly. In contrast, the average number of jobs accessible by transit is expected to increase significantly during the same time period, due to both employment growth and transit improvements. Accessibility to jobs by automobile, however, will remain higher than accessibility by transit. Changes in accessibility are not expected to have disproportionate, adverse impacts on minority, low-income, or disabled population groups. The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Washington, D.C., region. Members of the TPB include representatives of local governments; state transportation agencies; the Maryland and Virginia Assemblies; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; and non-voting members from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and federal agencies.

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