Section 10-A405. T-1.3 REGIONAL SMART GROWTH SOLUTIONS

 

405.1While this Transportation Element is focused on the District, transportation issues do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries. As the core of the region, the District has a high level of interest in transportation issues being addressed at a regional level. Consistently ranked among the top three most congested areas in the nation, and one with very high levels of auto-related air pollution, the Washington region must work cooperatively to promote more environmentally responsible transportation. Continued strong regional action on expanding transit, and smart growth land use policies, are critical for both our transportation system and the environment. 405.1

 

405.2In 2006, COG released its Regional Mobility and Accessibility Study, examining the impacts of projected regional growth between 2000 and 2030 on the metropolitan transportation system—and exploring alternatives to reduce future congestion. The study found that daily vehicle miles traveled in the region are projected to grow by 37 percent by 2030, while freeway and arterial lane miles are projected to grow by only 16 percent. As a result, most of the beltway will reach “stop and go” conditions (with average speeds less than 30 MPH) and metro trains and platforms will be packed. The key finding of the COG study is that long-term increases in congestion can be reduced by adjusting local land use plans to better match the transportation system, shifting jobs to the east side of the region, and encouraging housing closer to the region’s job centers. 405.2

 

Through the Great Streets Initiative, the District will seek private and non-profit developers for key parcels like the historic Howard Theater. Sites like these could serve as catalysts for transforming the District’s corridors.

 

405.3A regional strategy of promoting infill, mixed-use and transit-oriented development in urbanized areas is needed to ensure transportation efficiency both in the District and the region. A robust and meaningful dialogue that involves federal, state, and local leaders is absolutely essential. This dialogue should focus on improving the jobs/housing balance, investing in transit, and limiting urban sprawl on the region’s frontier. Among other things, the District should establish direct avenues of communication with the planning, zoning, transportation, and economic development agencies of immediately surrounding jurisdictions. 405.3

 

405.4Existing trip patterns reflect the District’s role as the region’s major employment destination. In 2000, approximately 70 percent of persons working in the District commuted in from the suburbs. Of these, some 39 percent drove alone, 21 percent carpooled or vanpooled, and 40 percent used transit. Moreover, a recent Council of Governments study found that approximately 25 percent of the traffic entering the District at key points from Maryland and Virginia is using the District as “short cut” and does not have a destination within District boundaries. 405.4

 

405.5The Technical Report on Transportation developed as part of the revision of the Comprehensive Plan includes an analysis of the origins and destinations of work trips between each of the District’s ten planning areas and the region’s major employment centers, including Downtown Washington. Figure 4.1 compares the percentages of work trips from each of the city’s 10 planning areas that stay within that planning area, go to Central Washington, go to other areas within the District, or leave the District each day. 405.5

 

405.6Approximately 29 percent of the District’s residents commute to suburban destinations, with about 10 percent of these trips going to large “regional activity centers” such as Tysons Corner, Silver Spring, Bethesda, and Rosslyn. Near Northwest had the highest percentage of resident work trips remaining within the District, at 77 percent. However, this was not markedly different from other planning areas; Far Southeast/Southwest had the lowest percentage of resident work trips that remained within the District, at 66 percent. 405.6

 

405.7Figure 4.1: Destination of Work Trips Originating in Each of the District’s 10 Planning Areas

 

http://planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/2006_revised_comp_plan/4_transportation.pdf.

 

405.8Figure 4.2: Origin of Work Trips in Each of the District’s 10 Planning Areas

 

http://planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/2006_revised_comp_plan/4_transportation.pdf.

 

405.9Figure 4.2 illustrates the origins of daily work trips to each Planning Area of the District, comparing trips by District workers with trips from outlying jurisdictions. The figure indicates that the vast majority of both resident and non-resident commuters are traveling to Central Washington. In fact, Central Washington is the destination for approximately 61 percent of the work trips that come from outside the District. Table 4.3 reflects the existing levels of demand for each mode of transportation for commuters working in the District. More than 50 percent of the commuters to Central Washington use transit or carpool. 405.9

 

405.10Table 4.3: Mode Choice for Inbound Trips to the District’s 10 Planning Areas* 405.10

 

http://planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/2006_revised_comp_plan/4_transportation.pdf.

 

405.11Policy T-1.3.1: Transit-Accessible Employment

 

Work closely with the federal government and suburban jurisdictions to support transit-oriented and transit-accessible employment throughout the region. This would maximize the use of major transit investments such as Metrorail, and enhance the efficiency of the regional transportation system. 405.11

 

405.12Policy T-1.3.2: Reverse Commuting

 

Utilize data on the travel patterns of District workers as the basis for programs to improve transit service, particularly programs that increase reverse commuting options for District workers employed in major suburban employment centers. 405.12

 

Transit-oriented and transit-accessible employment maximizes the use of major transportation investments such as Metrorail.

 

405.13Policy T-1.3.3: Regional Transportation Planning Initiatives

 

Advocate for large-scale regional transportation planning initiatives that involve local, regional, state, and federal governments. Such initiatives are essential given the long lead-times and high expense of increasing regional transportation capacity. 405.13

 

405.14Action T-1.3.A: Regional Jobs/Housing Balance

 

Continue the efforts to ensure that the concepts of infill, mixed-use and transit-oriented development are promoted at the regional level; to design transportation systems that connect District residents to local jobs; and to provide opportunities for non-resident workers to also live in DC. 405.14

 

405.15Action T-1.3.B: Regional Transportation Infrastructure Study

 

Actively participate in efforts by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and other regional organizations that address long-term transportation infrastructure needs in Greater Washington. Advocate for-and take a leadership role in-the preparation of a 50-year Regional Transportation Infrastructure Study that takes a broad-based look at these needs, taking into account expected growth patterns and emerging technologies. 405.15

 

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.