"Speeds up to 25 mph" doesn't really sound like a viable option for getting from Tyson's to Dulles, particularly when compared to the Metro.  You'd gain time by not having to stop at stations, but I don't think it would be enough.

around Tysons.  I'm not sure how you'd get from Dulles to Tysons, except by car, if I understand correctly what JMDD was suggesting.

That's 15 mph faster than traffic moves on Rte. 123 during rush hour!  Awesome.

let's make sure that Jean Marie doesn't have any influence on who would get this kind of contract--undoubtly she'll want some money back. That's the problem with Tom Davis and his former mistress and current wife Jean Marie they want pay back for political favors. We all know that Davis got his wad of money that way.

Ok, that's a bit premature.  But I'd love to see a serious study (in the U.S., preferably with Virginia leading the way for once) of these personal transportation pods.

Obviously they're not designed for the massive sprawl that defines the suburbs of the U.S., but for higher density areas like Tysons, Arlington (Ballston to Rosslyn), and other urban centers this could be a very good idea.

Two things about JMDD - one good and one not so good.

First, I believe her idea was that a Metro rail system would be built to Dulles that would pass by Tysons (instead of through it) therefore avoiding the entire tunnel/elevatedtrack issue.  Then a pod track would be built between the Metro and Tysons.  Although it would require an extra switch (from train to pod), the overall benefit might be worth it.  I wonder if this is related to the monorail system that Jim Moran mentioned - there not the same thing exactly but would provide similar service.

The not so good is the fact that she quickly glossed over the "who".  Without knowing the details of that company, the nature of the potential contracts, and the relationship to her and her husband, there is good reason to be skeptical about her motivation. 

That said, I'd still love to see a serious investigation into the use of a technology that has both positive environmental and gridlock potential.

I'm not clear on what the relative trade-offs are.

At least as far as terrorism fears are concerned, I think I'd much rather take my odds with an above ground elevated rail than with an underground train. 

Some of the buildings are close enough to have walkways from the upper floors which cross the highways and allow people access to other buildings in the area. That would allow people to get some exercize too. No electricity would be necessary. Just a thought. Of course there would be less money for contractors and politicians in this.

There was a fantastic article (I think the best one they ever did) in City Paper a number of years ago on erecting a monorail instead of rail as an option to get from WFC out to Tysons and Dulles.

Among the benefits they listed were:
much cheaper cost
much cheaper maintenance
much faster
much better safety record (an issue where Metro is concerned)
less environmental impact
shorter construction time
less impact on traffic during construction.

I have a copy at home, will try to scan it and post the link.

Of course, no politican beholden to Bechtel would ever seriously consider it.