Stripped of its money-raising powers, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is turning to YouTube to publicize the region’s traffic woes.

The authority has started a site on YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/group/NVTAPOMC, which encourages Northern Virginians to share how daily congestion affects their lives. The site asks commuters to tape struggles endured during their daily commutes, including traffic jams, crowded buses and packed parking lots at Metro stations.

It also suggests including interviews of friends and family describing how traffic affects their families and quality of life.

The group also is asking commuters to remain safe — telling commuters to avoid videotaping while driving and to not use a tripod in a Metro station. (It’s illegal).

The site asks commuters to share their stories by May 15, hoping to use it to boost their case for more transportation funding before the General Assembly meets this spring. 

Under the 2007 transportation plan, the authority would have been able to raise about $300 million a year for regional projects. The Virginia Supreme Court said it was unconstitutional for an unelected authority to impose taxes.