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
January 14, 2011
Transportation. Transporte. 交通. Vervoer. Mezzi di transporto. Kuljetus. Транспорт. Usafiri. Transportasyon.
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News
January 12, 2011
The Washington Post waded into the high-speed rail debate today with an editorial urging the reconsideration of federal investment in California’s planned...
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News
January 7, 2011
When it comes to land use and transportation Australia and the United States are fairly similar. They share an expansive geography marked largely by...
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News
January 6, 2011
Debate has broken out on Capitol Hill regarding the proper way to fund transportation. As concerns about government spending and the federal deficit persist...
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News
December 21, 2010
This is Part 2 of a two-part piece. Read Part 1 here .