But it cannot be the only answer. The reality is that new development will come too slowly for it to solve the problem by itself, given the adverse effects of highway or airport construction in urban areas on the environment and our quality of life. There are many measures that need to accompany new construction. At today s hearing we can only cover the broad outlines. First, we can make better use of existing resources.
Aircraft now move over a fixed route system developed in the days of radio beacons.
For example, transit can take the burden off our overcrowded highways. Metro has carried six billion riders on its rail and bus systems. Today, the Washington Metro carries 600,000 passengers a day on trains and another 500,000 by bus. Without Metrorail, the Washington region would be very different. There would be 270,000 more vehicles on the road, driving 2.5 billion miles and consuming 12 million gallons of gas each year.