The region's extensive highway and road network forms the backbone of its transportation system. Every day, millions of people travel by car or truck to access jobs, schools, and medical care, as well as shopping, entertainment, and recreational opportunities. Roads also carry the majority of goods deliveries to homes, schools, businesses, and stores in the region.
The region also boasts one of the premier public transit systems in the country. Metro moves hundreds of thousands of people—commuters, students, and tourists—each work day. Commuter railroads in Maryland and Virginia and dozens of local bus and other transit providers move many thousands more. Together, these transit services play a critical role in sustaining economic vitality, serving the needs of low-income and other disadvantaged populations, providing high-quality alternatives to driving, building communities, and reducing environmental impacts.
COG and the TPB lead numerous efforts to monitor and manage traffic on area roadways, promote highway and traffic safety, forecast future travel demands, and coordinate long-term planning of roadway improvements. In addition, COG and the TPB analyze regional ridership trends and forecasts, coordinate long-term planning of major transit improvements, and organize programs to promote greater use of transit as a commute alternative. COG and the TPB also bring transit operators together from around the region to share best practices for improving short-term operations and to highlight long-term funding needs.
News & Multimedia
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News
September 23, 2014
More than 300 regionally significant improvements to the Washington region's highway and transit system through 2040 are detailed in the final draft of this...
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News
September 4, 2014
To best accommodate future growth take advantage of our transportation infrastructure protect our environment and bolster our economy metropolitan Washington...
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News
September 2, 2014
The Washington region's first bus rapid transit line, known as Metroway, recently opened to passengers in Northern Virginia, with help in part from a federal...
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News
August 27, 2014
For the first time in our region an international best practice for public transportation has hit the ground in the City of Alexandria and Arlington County: bus...
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News
August 26, 2014
"Put it away. Uncar for a day."