The purpose of this study is to evaluate potential strategies to improve regional mobility during the peak travel periods; provide enhanced safety; maximize operational efficiencies; and promote economic growth and the environment while pursuing cost-effective methods of maintaining and improving the quality of Maryland's transportation infrastructure.

The need for the Capital Beltway Study is based on the following issues:

• Growth projections for population and employment indicate substantial regional growth in suburban areas served by the Beltway.
  
• Congestion on major routes inside the Beltway is causing the relocation of residential/commercial development to areas outside the Beltway which leads to a growth in circumferential travel on the Beltway between major routes.
  
• Lack of alternative routes to serve circumferential travel.
  
• High rate of congestion-related accidents on the Beltway.
  
• Inadequate capacity to accommodate existing and projected traffic.
  
• Federal air quality conformity requirements.