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Traffic Volumes:
Traffic conditions on the Capital Beltway include regular occurrences of very congested (or gridlock) conditions, particularly during rush hour periods. This condition will continue to worsen as traffic volumes increase due to the growing number of residents and jobs in the region.
Transportation planners use Level of Service (LOS), expressed as "A" through "F", as a qualitative measure of the highway operating conditions. LOS "A" describes free-flow vehicular movements. LOS "E" occurs when vehicles occupy the maximum capacity of the highway and LOS "F" occurs at gridlock.
Traffic projections as measured by Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes for the year 2030 indicate that circumstances will worsen considerably, extending LOS "F" conditions beyond the current peak (rush) hours and into additional locations. The table below highlights the measured (2000) ADT volumes and projected (2030) ADT volumes for various segments of the Beltway without any improvements.
| Existing and Projected Volumes (ADT and Levels of Service (LOS)) along the Maryland Capital Beltway (no improvements) |
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| Beltway Segment |
2000 |
2030 |
Volume Increase |
||
| ADT Volume |
LOS AM/PM |
ADT Volume |
LOS AM/PM |
||
| Montgomery County |
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| American Legion Bridge to I-270 |
222,650 |
E/F |
265,500 |
F/F |
19% |
| MD 355 to MD 97 |
250,850 |
E/F |
250,500 |
F/F |
0% |
| MD 97 to I-95 |
248,700 |
E/F |
265,200 |
F/F |
7% |
| Prince George's County |
|||||
| I-95 to US 50 |
236,400 |
E/F |
271,500 |
F/F |
15% |
| US 50 to MD 4 |
187,400 |
D/E |
205,100 |
F/F |
9% |
| MD 4 to MD 414 |
173,550 |
D/C |
233,800 |
E/E |
21% |
Traffic Safety:
SHA accident statistics show that the Maryland portion of the Capital Beltway experienced 6,800 police-reported accidents during a three and a half year period between January 2000 and June 2003. These accidents resulted in an average rate of 58.1 accidents per 100 million vehicle miles of travel, which is significantly higher than the statewide average of 54.7 for a similarly designed highway. Many of these accidents occurred at, or approaching, an interchange.
Both rear-end and sideswipe accidents were significantly higher than the statewide average, which could be a symptom of the stopping and slow moving traffic. The truck related accidents were also significantly higher than the statewide average.
