Good to know in case I ever decide to start traveling on foot more. I always avoided walking through DC when I could because I didn't want to keep going down into the metro and fighting Ghouls. I hate ferals. Nice to know I only need to clear them out once.
If you get the ghoul mask from Roy (Tenpenney Tower quest) then ferals will not be a problem.
The funny thing to do is wear it where you know ghouls and raiders or ghouls and super mutants are and lure the raiders or mutants into the ghouls. Its really great if you can get a reaver to do your work for you.