Less of regions commuting to be done by solo drivers in 2040

Less of regions commuting to be done by solo drivers in 2040

Because of projected growth in the region, more than a million more daily commutes will be made in 2040 than today, says the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board. And although most commuting trips – about 45,000 – will be made by solo drivers, the share of that mode will drop from 61 percent today to 57 percent. Carpool trips are projected to rise from 11 percent to 14 percent. And 5 percent will commute by bicycle or on foot, up from 4 percent today.

Transportation modes will vary by region. The biggest changes will be in Frederick, Charles, Prince William and Loudoun counties, where an increase in use of transit, carpooling, bicycling and walking will be driven by more transit choices, increasing auto congestion and more HOT lanes. Commutes by solo drivers will drop from 79 percent to 70 percent, carpooling will increase from 15 to 20 percent and transit trips will rise from 5 to 9 percent.

In DC, Arlington County and Alexandria, 56 percent of commuters will use transit, slightly less than today. And a few more, at 15 percent, will bicycle or walk than do today. Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince Georges counties will see 400,000 more commute trips than today, 57 percent of them by solo drivers, down from 61 percent today. Small increases in share for transit, bicycling and walking are expected.