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
December 21, 2010
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has made the advancement of high-speed rail in the U.S. a top priority of his and has shown his commitment to the...
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News
December 14, 2010
$58.8 million in grants will create jobs while easing congestion in the region
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News
December 13, 2010
Passenger rail accounts for a very small percentage of travel in the United States though this was not always the case. Passenger rail was the primary mode...
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News
November 24, 2010
Scrambling to put together some last minute Thanksgiving travel plans? Planning ahead for the winter holidays? Consider taking the train. Matt Yglesias from ...
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News
November 18, 2010
The facts on the table are as such: most scientists believe that the earth’s climate is changing and that humanity’s actions are the cause of this change....