I like it when our elected officials propose creative solutions on our transportation crisis (you know, ideas other than "pave more roads"). Here's a few from a Chap mailing:1. Expand transit so that it is reliable and accessible. Extending the Orange Line Metro from Vienna to Centreville is a critical step. So is a Tysons Rail system if it can be built underground and under-budget (I do not support the sole-source above-ground bid). Finally, County bus routes running north-south should fill the gaps.2. Relieve traffic by moving interstate freight from trucking to rail. A decrease in eighteen-wheelers on I-66 and I-95 will do more than any road project to ease congestion. This must be a state priority.
3. Utilize our technology resources. Sharing of traffic information via the Internet, as well as telework incentives, help motorists make better decisions in commuting - and limit cars on the road during rush hour.
More here at his website. While funding for improvements is important, we're not going to fix this mess without changing the way people travel in the Commonwealth. Kudos to Chap for understanding that fact.
The second one could just involve regulations (like creating a limited number of highway semis permits perhaps) that help divert some freight to rail, and/or perhaps some tax incentives for companies to do that. The tax incentives would cost revenue, but I'd guess that the decrease in maintenance costs would offset.
The third one also could be achieved with a mixture of regulations and tax incentives.