The Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) metropolitan area ranks as one of the most congested urban areas in the country, according to the Texas Transportation Institute's annual report of vehicle travel and urban mobility. If you commute by car, chances are you're one of the many people stuck in the seemingly endless bumper-to-bumper traffic during the peak traffic hours. Congestion not only leads to frustrated drivers and lost travel time, but less apparent social costs, such as lost productivity, higher insurance rates, and increased air and noise pollution.

Many initiatives are underway to address current and future traffic congestion. In addition to constructing new facilities, a number of cost-effective programs are being used to maximize the capacity of the system and increase the system’s overall efficiency. As the region continues to grow, it is essential that the strategies and programs that help to alleviate gridlock on the transportation system are identified and implemented.