About Us

COG is the one place in metropolitan Washington that regularly brings leaders together to develop solutions to the region's major challenges. COG prepares plans enabling the region to receive federal funding, provides members with research and data to inform decision-making, and offers a wide range of programs, including commuter services, cooperative purchasing, technical assistance and grants, and public outreach campaigns.

Transportation

Through the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), area officials, planners, and engineers ensure a well-managed and maintained transportation system. The TPB, which is staffed by COG, conducts the federally mandated transportation planning process for the region and ensures the uninterrupted flow of federal transportation funds that area jurisdictions receive.

Environment

COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists. Together, they are advancing regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.

Community

Area officials and experts, including planning and housing directors and child welfare and health officials, work together with their counterparts at COG to help shape stronger communities throughout the region.

Homeland Security & Public Safety

COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together as part of its work to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication.

Transportation

Planning Our Future Together: Celebrating 50 Years of the TPB

The TPB was created in 1965 by the region's local and state governments to respond to federal highway legislation in 1962 that required the establishment of a "continuing, comprehensive and coordinated" transportation planning process in every urbanized area in the United States. The TPB's 50th anniversary provides an opportunity to look back at the body's role in making the region's transportation system what it is today. It is also an opportunity to look ahead to the future and what the next half-century might bring.

TPB 50th Anniversary Brochure
"Fifty Years Ago, TPB Established as Region's Official Metropolitan Planning Organization" (TPB Weekly Report, 6/30/15)
Message from former TPB staffer George Wickstrom
Photos from November 18 event

Futurist Glen Hiemstra Speaks at COG Annual Meeting on December 9 About the Future of Transportation

Former Staff and Board Chairmen Speak at November 18 Commemorative Event

Alan Pisarski Former TPB Staffer

Kathy Porter Former TPB Chairman (2000)

John Mason Former TPB Chairman (2001)

Phil Mendelson TPB Chairman (2015)

#TPB50th Tweets