In September 2020, we asked people in the region about their opinions about our transportation system. The Voices of the Region survey is a part of the update to Visualize 2045. This public opinion survey will help planners and decisionmakers think about what kinds of improvement people in the region want for the transportation system in the future. We asked people about their thoughts on transportation since COVID-19, how they imagine they will use the system in the future, and their opinions about equity and climate change. In this second part of our series on the Voices of the Region, let’s dive into their responses about climate change.

People in our region agree that human action contribute to climate change

The survey found that the vast majority of the region’s residents (88%) agree that human actions contribute to at least some climate change, with 73% strongly agreeing. And while still in the overwhelmingly majority, a slightly lower proportion of residents (84%) agreed that elected officials need to consider the impacts of climate change when planning for transportation in the future, with 72% strongly agreeing with the statement.




With such an overwhelming support for addressing climate change in transportation, what can transportation officials keep in mind as they plan for the future? Here is a sneak peek at some of the investments that participants are suggesting making now.

In the survey we asked participants,  “what transportation investments we should be making today that future generations will thank us for in the future?” Here’s what they said:

For many, investing in transportation projects and improvements that address climate change is an important way to create a lasting transportation system for future generations.

One participant said that “we should be investing in transportation that is environmentally friendly […] [future generations] can't enjoy any other investments if the world is falling apart from climate change.”

Public transportation is an important investment

Participants see public transportation as the most efficient way to reduce congestion in the region while reducing emissions that can help mitigate climate change. Within their requests, people are suggesting electrifying the region’s bus fleets, increasing the service hours, and prioritizing better access to the suburbs. 

“Better planning for public transportation is important. For those with limited means public transportation is necessary and on top of that it reduces emissions. To keep climate change from getting worse we need to work seriously at reducing emissions.”

“Electrify all of the area's bus systems. Redesign bus services so they provide circulator/connector service in and between activity centers; and that they provide easy, frequent service enabling people to get around the region without cars for most regular trips. Provide overnight "owl" bus service substitution after Metrorail ends.”

“Invest in clean public transportation […] transportation and increase availability of clean public transportation to all areas, in particular very residential areas and push people to less use their own cars and use more public clean transportation.”

“Conversion of bus fleets to all-electric will improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help reduce ambient noise levels.”

“Public transportation is what we need to be investing in. It will allow increased density in a way that a car-based system cannot support. Equal access to frequent and clean public transportation is also critical. Currently housing adjacent to Metrorail is expensive -- access to public transportation should not be an exclusive thing.”

“We have to be forward-thinking and not only plan but begin good hi-speed mass transit.  It is way overdue.  We can't keep putting it off because it costs too much -- we need to bite the bullet and do it now since these projects take so long.”

“Expanding the metro rail to the suburbs, bringing buses to the suburbs including more accessible commuter buses, and expanding commuter bus lines from MD suburbs to VA and back. Providing added security and additional parking at all subway stations and decreasing fares.”

Invest in connecting the region’s biking and pedestrian options

Participants also share suggestions for better walking and biking in the region and as a prominent way to reduce our impact on the environment. Specifically, people are suggesting that for walking and biking to be more efficient in the region, the region needs to start thinking in connecting sidewalks, trails, and making their construction a priority in future housing development.

“We need to update current neighborhoods and build new developments with wider sidewalks, wider walking and biking trails, that lead to hi-speed and train stations, not just walking and biking too nowhere.”

“More e-bikes and e-scooters available with safer travel lanes in older neighborhoods and communities. At times it seems that people feel left behind once newer developments take place, but most of the children being raised today are still in older neighborhoods living with their parents.”

“Build more bike and walking trails from the suburbs to downtown DC. Close off some sections of downtown DC to vehicular traffic. Increase bus routes and service.”

“Complete walking routes door-to-door for people to go from home to Train/Bus stations and to office; dedicated biking lanes.”

“Focus on incentivizing walking and biking as means of transportation. (More bike lockers around town and near Metros so people would feel comfortable leaving their bikes unattended).”

“Road improvements that take into account increasing traffic, improved walking/biking patterns (sidewalks, road crossings), universal design for accessibility as a standard (level sidewalks with cut outs, sidewalks that don't dead-end, talking cross walk signals)”

“In the suburbs – Communities need to be connected by bike trails and sidewalks better.  Developers have sidewalks within a community – But they don’t connect with other communities or shopping centers.”

Some people have to keep driving

People depending on driving, either because of geographic location or work requirements, reported an interest in addressing climate change while requesting that their driving needs are still being considered.

“As a farmer, I have no choice but to live in a remote area away from public transport, but I'd like you to build great systems for all who live within reach. And hopefully eventually solar powered and self-driving cars for those of us in the rural areas.”

“Dedicated lanes for buses and bicycles, increasing rail and bus access to the suburbs, acknowledging that drivers do have need and that driving isn't going away anytime soon, and we should still accommodate them with parking in a different way we do now”

“Infill older neighborhoods and downtowns with efficient modes that will actually be used.  Unfortunately, this usually means cars.  I think the most practical would-be elevated parking decks with free parking.  I don't think bikes will meet transport needs for most and public transit has been notoriously bad and expensive for governments.”

“Extend availability of carsharing services like ZipCar and bikesharing, especially in the suburbs”

“I live in the suburbs, so there would have to be a concerted effort to make using fewer fossil fuels viable. So, improve access to electronic vehicles, by reducing cost to consumers.”

“Plans to accommodate the vehicles of the future, such as charging stations at public locations and in new housing, including condos and apartments.  Roadways on lanes for self-driving vehicles.”

About the survey

The Voices of the Region Survey was a statistically significant survey conducted from September to November 2020. The survey’s purpose was to capture a regional snapshot of public opinion on transportation issues including travel changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and transportation improvements that residents would like to see in the future. The survey also measured public opinion on factors affecting transportation such as equity, safety, and climate change. The survey will be helpful for regional transportation planners to understand public opinion as they plan for the future.

Methodology

The Voices of the Region survey was a statistically significant survey of 2,407 respondents conducted from September to November 2020. The survey used random-sampling methodology to reach out to more than 24,000 residents from across the TPB planning area. Participants were invited to participate by mail. The survey was primarily completed online but people were also given the option to complete the survey over the phone.

Want to learn more about what the voices of the region had to say? Check out the first part of our series and find out what they said about essential workers and the pandemic. Then head on over to the new Visualize 2045 website and learn more about the plan update and its development.

What did the Voices of the Region survey tell us about travel during COVID-19 and beyond?

Learn more about the voices of the region survey