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
-
News
July 17, 2013
For the Regional Transportation Priorities Plan , survey participants identified transit crowding, roadway congestion, and Metro and highway maintenance as top...
-
News
July 11, 2013
Calling attention to the Council of Governments’ work to address regional transportation coordination Congresswoman Donna Edward (D-MD 4 th District)...
-
News
July 10, 2013
At the July COG Board of Directors meeting, Donna Edwards (D-MD 4th District) stressed that “all Metro stops must be ready to embrace transit-oriented...
-
News
June 25, 2013
Several transportation agencies in the Washington region are using grant funding awarded under the federal TIGER program to make bus transit a more reliable and...
-
News
May 15, 2013
Transportation Planning Board analysis also shows changes in driving, carpooling, biking, walking, and working from home in the metropolitan Washington region.