Some Sensible Remarks
I understand that Fairfax County supervisor Joan DuBois made some sensible remarks about our transportation mess last evening. DuBois, who supports the Silver Line and regularly decries the paltry sums given back to Fairfax County from Richmond, questioned whether we could ever build or widen roads to the extent necessary to alleviate traffic congestion. Where could a major north-south road be located? What would be the costs for buying homes and businesses necessary to obtain right-of-way? Does a 12-lane Route 7 or Route 123 make any sense?
DuBois talked about the need for the county, the feds, and businesses to look seriously at both staggered work hours and telecommuting. True, many people pay lip service to these ideas, but that's about it. Our schools operate on staggered schedules. High and middle schools start earlier than our elementary schools in Fairfax County because of limited infrastructure -- here, school buses. Not everyone likes the current staggered schedules. As a parent of a teenager in high school, I know the problems that exist with the early morning start. But, at the same time, I realize that there would be a substantial cost to add sufficient school buses and drivers to start all FCPS schools at the same time. There are competing priorities and limited resources.
Many government agencies and some businesses offer their employees some flexibility on working hours. So why can't we look at staggering work hours in metro Washington?
Ditto for telecommuting. More and more people do it, even though everyone cannot. Congressman Frank Wolf has long been leading the van to get more telecommuting from federal agencies. Likewise, both Jim Moran and Tom Davis are strong supporters of telecommuting. GMU concluded in a study that, for every one percent of reduction in the number of drivers on our roads, we experience a three percent improvement in traffic congestion. So why can't we get a serious commitment for telecommuting from state and local goverment leaders? Perhaps, it's because more campaign contributions come from those who like the status quo.
It's simply time to ignore those little minds who think the only solution to traffic problems is to tax more and to build more. This does not mean we never widen roads or extend transit, but why shouldn't we first pick the low-hanging fruit. I'm glad to see that, at least one supervisor, can move beyond failed solutions. Let's hope her colleagues can also begin to think outside the box.
DuBois talked about the need for the county, the feds, and businesses to look seriously at both staggered work hours and telecommuting. True, many people pay lip service to these ideas, but that's about it. Our schools operate on staggered schedules. High and middle schools start earlier than our elementary schools in Fairfax County because of limited infrastructure -- here, school buses. Not everyone likes the current staggered schedules. As a parent of a teenager in high school, I know the problems that exist with the early morning start. But, at the same time, I realize that there would be a substantial cost to add sufficient school buses and drivers to start all FCPS schools at the same time. There are competing priorities and limited resources.
Many government agencies and some businesses offer their employees some flexibility on working hours. So why can't we look at staggering work hours in metro Washington?
Ditto for telecommuting. More and more people do it, even though everyone cannot. Congressman Frank Wolf has long been leading the van to get more telecommuting from federal agencies. Likewise, both Jim Moran and Tom Davis are strong supporters of telecommuting. GMU concluded in a study that, for every one percent of reduction in the number of drivers on our roads, we experience a three percent improvement in traffic congestion. So why can't we get a serious commitment for telecommuting from state and local goverment leaders? Perhaps, it's because more campaign contributions come from those who like the status quo.
It's simply time to ignore those little minds who think the only solution to traffic problems is to tax more and to build more. This does not mean we never widen roads or extend transit, but why shouldn't we first pick the low-hanging fruit. I'm glad to see that, at least one supervisor, can move beyond failed solutions. Let's hope her colleagues can also begin to think outside the box.
posted by Toomanytaxes at 7:50 AM
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