Section 10-A206. MOBILITY AND ACCESS CHANGES

 

206.1The Washington region faces significant transportation challenges. Decentralization has caused longer commutes, increased congestion, and deteriorating air quality. The nationally recognized 2005 Urban Mobility Report found that Washington was the third most congested region in the country, behind Los Angeles and San Francisco. Funding to maintain the existing transportation system, let alone expand the system to meet increased demand, is severely constrained. 206.1

 

206.2These challenges have propelled two opposing trends—one pushing development further out toward uncongested roads miles away from the city, and the other pushing development closer in, to areas where transit is available and shorter commutes are possible. They have also led to the recognition that increasing road capacity alone cannot solve the region’s traffic problems. Looking forward, increased investment in bus and rail transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and other modes of travel, will be needed to sustain economic growth. 206.2

 

206.3The District already has one of the most extensive transit systems in the country and ranks second only to New York in the percentage of residents using transit to go to work. The Metrorail and bus systems complement the city’s radial roadway system and maximize the movement of people across the city. However, many of those who need transit the most, including the poor and those with special needs, still face mobility problems. Transit often does not connect District residents to jobs in the suburbs, and it may be expensive or difficult to access. In addition, parts of the Metrorail system are approaching capacity. 206.3

 

206.4While it is difficult to predict the impacts that transportation constraints will have on the region over the next 20 years, linking land use decisions to transportation capacity will remain important. As with so many other aspects of planning in our region, regional planning and coordination with surrounding states and counties is the only way that effective solutions will be forged. 206.4

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.