The Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Caltrans are implementing a number of traffic congestion relief strategies, and it appears that commuters are responding. "People are getting the message. The number of carpools travelling toll-free across state-owned toll bridges during peak hours is almost up 4% overall this year," championed MTC Vice Chair and Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty.

A major part of the equation is FasTrak. "Increasing FasTrak and electronic toll collection systems, enhancing Bay Bridge toll plaza operations, featuring new FasTrak lanes, are having a positive impact," declared Caltrans District Four Director Bijan Sartipi. In fact, Sartipi declared that there has been a 30% increase in registered FasTrak accounts.

In fact, one-half of the drivers crossing Bay Area bridges no longer pay by cash.

Caltrans has also released the ranking of the most congested freeways in the region, with a stretch of I-80 along Berkeley, the East Shore freeway, coming in at number one.

KCBS' George Harris reports