15140. BAY AREA TRAFFIC CONGESTION: THE PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. This investigation looks at the problem of traffic congestion in the San Francisco Bay Area and then considers possible solutions to address the gridlock problem. The first section provides an overview of the scope, magnitude, and causes of the Bay Area gridlock problem. The second section focuses on "solutions" to the problem, first reviewing the more "traditional" solutions encompassed within the current Bay Area transportation plan, and the looking closely at two non-traditional solutions – congestion pricing and telecommuting. It is recommended that congestion pricing be implemented on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and that telecommuting programs focus on high-tech industries in Silicon Valley and Southern Alameda counties. The parameters of the recommended programs along with their potential risks and barriers to implementation are discussed. 17 pages, 91 footnotes, 34 bibliographic references.