Another month, another list with the same message: traffic in metro D.C. is horrible. It’s not something we haven’t heard before. As The Washington Post reported last night, the latest annual report by INRIX shows how much time is wasted sitting in traffic in the region. One particularly miserable example is a portion of I-95 south of I-395 – the most congested segment in the region – in which what should be a 23-minute drive swells into an 86-minute journey during the afternoon rush hour.
In addition to the stress and lost time that negatively affects many of the region’s drivers, rapidly rising gas prices can put a real pinch on household income. The uncertainty surrounding Libya and much of the oil-rich world has put prices on their most recent upward trajectory, so much so that President Obama is considering tapping into the strategic oil reserves in an attempt to create some relief at the pump.
Despite this gloominess, there is some very good news: these problems don’t have to concern you…if you choose for them not to. No matter where you live there are alternatives available. If it’s nearby, take transit and avoid the stress of sitting behind the wheel inching along a congested roadway. If you’re close enough to your work, hop on a bike or walk to the office, getting some exercise along the way. Even if you live further out, you don’t have to subject yourself to the misery – grab some neighbors or co-workers, start a carpool, and save time (by jumping in the HOV lanes) and some money (by splitting the gas costs). Resources like Commuter Connections can help you get started even if you’ve never carpooled before.
Plus, if you adopt any of these alternatives to drive-alone commuting, you’ll also be helping us meet many of the RF Accessibility and Sustainability targets.