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
March 15, 2006
The District of Columbia has submitted one billion dollars worth of new transportation projects to the Transportation Planning Board (TPB)...
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News
February 15, 2006
A new TPB study says the region’s public transit service for the disabled suffers from several shortcomings that could be remedied with some simple solutions. ...
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News
January 11, 2006
COG will spearhead a new regional effort to aggressively advocate for dedicated funding for the Metro system.
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News
October 19, 2005
The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) today unanimously approved regional transportation plans that include two major transportation...
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News
April 20, 2005
TPB to determine how HOT lanes and other projects would affect area's air quality if they were added to the region’s long-range transportation plan.