Congestion

The following information reflects the performance of the 2009 Update to the CLRP.

In the coming decades, current forecasts call for more people to be driving and traveling longer distances. Significant highway needs remain unfunded, while road usage is expected to increase steadily.

Highway Congestion

The following maps show currently observed and projected congestion on major roads in the region during the weekday evening commute. By 2030, congested traffic flow is expected to be prevalent throughout the entire region, not just in isolated areas. However, in 2030, there are some areas of forecasted improvement, such as the Virginia portion of I-95 south of the beltway, which will benefit from the 36-mile HOT lane project currently in the 2008 CLRP.

Transit Congestion

Transit is also forecast to become increasingly congested and is even projected to reach capacity. The map below shows forecasted congestion for Metrorail during the morning commute. Due to a lack of funding for capacity enhancement projects identified to accommodate all of the projected ridership growth, the Metrorail system will gradually approach capacity on trips “to and through” the regional core. According to a WMATA study, in 2010, 50% of the trains will be running with 8-cars, which will bring relief to peak crowding on all lines; however, without additional railcars beyond what is currently funded, the Orange Line and future Dulles Rail Line between Courthouse and Rosslyn stations are expected to exceed capacity by 2020, and the entire Metrorail system will approach capacity by 2030.

WMATA defines line capacity as an average of 120 passengers per car at the maximum load segment in the peak direction during the peak hour; however, passengers on individual trains during the peak of the peak hour may experience crowding beyond 120 passengers per car. To help put things in perspective, a Metrorail car generally provides about 70 seats, and the crush load for a car is around 180 passengers.