Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

December 2012EMERGENCY RESPONSESee Map # 5-3The terrorist attacks against the United States of America that occurred on September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 had aEmergencyvast and profound impact on the transportation and infrastructure networks across the country as well as members of the public who Response Networkare the customers of these systems. Our economy and our free lifestyle are dependent upon open, convenient, and low costtransportation. Our means of transportation, with the exception of airline travel, remain largely porous and in many cases vulnerable to terrorist attacks,whether by explosives or by release of chemical or biological agents. Although the risk of a terrorist incident is probably lower in Rhode Island than othermetropolitan areas, the possibility cannot be ruled out, and the state and local governments must be prepared to respond. Rhode Island is also very vulnerableto tropical and winter storms that may necessitate evacuations or activation of other emergency response systems.ENVIRONMENTTransportation projects can enhance the environment and communities --revitalizing city and village streetscapes, restoringhistoric terminals, preserving scenic vistas, and opening river corridors to bicyclists and pedestrians. Unfortunately, they can alsohave adverse impacts.Stormwater runoff from highways must be properly managed to avoid being a significant contributor to water pollution. Wherefeasible, retention of stormwater within the highway right of way, by providing vegetated buffers for infiltration, offers the mosteffective and enduring solution. Drainage structures can also control runoff and provide treatment, but require on-goingmaintenance to retain effectiveness. Integrating the principles of urban forestry into the vegetation regimes for highway rights ofway and parking areas can reduce runoff and improve the aesthetics of such facilities.The statetransportation systemshould maintain andenhance the quality ofthe state’senvironment and thelivability of itscommunities.The transportation sector can be a positive force for improvement of the quality of the air we breathe. Investments to expand transit services, provide bikepaths and other facilities to encourage bicycling and walking, and to introduce cleaner fuels and vehicles that are more fuel efficient all contribute to reducingemissions of mobile source air pollutants and greenhouse gases associated with global warming. Public education regarding the effects of auto-dependantland use and development patterns that require excessive commuting or other auto travel may also contribute to greater recognition, over time, of theconnection between individual lifestyle choices and air pollution. As fuel prices reach an all-time high, the need to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and turnto renewable sources and conservation measures has never been greater. This plan also begins to explore the impacts that sea-level rise may have on theState’s transportation infrastructure.Transportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611Rhode Island Statewide Planning ProgramPage 5-3