One should not forget the bogus argument that doing away with the perimeter rule will increase noise in the area. I worked within walking distance of DCA many years. I could see planes land and take off from my window, but not once did I hear noise from an aeroplane day or night. Many nights I worked late until after midnight and even during the silence of the night did I hear any noise.
When I first read that argument, I believed it as I lived far from DCA, although I worked right across the river.
The argument used to be that DCA is operating because the politicians need an airport close to where they live and work. If it wasn't for them, DCA would die.

It's a shame that for many years We suffered IAD. I hated the bus lounge to the extent that I flew from BWI instead, when BA, KLM, TWA all had TATL flights from BWI.