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
October 19, 2011
Proposed projects in $31 million package focus on areas around 16 Metrorail, commuter rail, and streetcar stations in the region. The application is being...
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September 27, 2011
This year's Car Free Day drew nearly 12,000 participants, breaking the event's previous record and surpassing last year's figures by 70 percent.
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September 23, 2011
Yesterday’s metro DC Car Free Day far surpassed last year’s participation rate with a record-breaking 12000+ pledges ! That in and of itself is a great...
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August 16, 2011
AAA Mid-Atlantic recently warned that August is the most deadly month on U.S. roadways . As WTOP noted last week “Five of the deadliest days of the year on...
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July 22, 2011
Often times these Global Fridays post can sound a bit cynical. We know how it may come across: “Look at all the cool things Europe and Asia are doing! Come...