The West Midlands today formally submitted a £1.3 billion plan to the Government to tackle the region's crippling congestion crisis.
The joint Local Transport Plan bid by all seven metropolitan authorities also predicts the region's roads will have to cope with 165 million extra journeys a year by 2011 if nothing is done.
The bid sets out the major transport priorities to tackle worsening gridlock and will be used by the Department for Transport to set funding levels for the region.
Also submitted is a survey of 300 West Midland drivers, showing the majority believe transport is a more serious issue for the region than health or education.
Nine in ten think congestion has got worse in the last few years, with the growing volume of traffic on the road seen as the key cause.
Councillor Roger Lawrence, Wolverhampton City Council leader and the LTP bid "champion", said: "More and more cars are using our roads and the region is predicted to have to cope with more than 165 million extra journeys by
2011.
"If we don't address this, gridlock looms. It's why we've started a process of debate, consultation and research to look longer term at all the potential solutions to our traffic problems."
The seven council leaders have already signalled a willingness to discuss demand management schemes, with many predicting the DfT wants to pilot satellite-based road pricing scheme in the West Midlands.
The LTP includes bids for funding of bus and light-rail schemes, 261 miles of 'red routes' - roads with strict parking controls for better traffic flow - and a plethora of road junction improvements and park and ride sites.
