Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

December 2012level of federal transportation funding currently available. The potential for future reductions in federal funds coming to Rhode Island must be contemplated,and strategically planned for. Options for alternative, indigenous funding sources should be explored as a hedge against reduced federal funding, and toprovide adequate support for development and maintenance of a functional intermodal transportation system for Rhode Island’s future.HIGHWAYAs the number of registered vehicles and the vehicle miles traveled both continue to increase, and highway capacity remains relatively static, we mustcontinue to improve the performance of our existing highway system. Traffic flow and safety can benefit from new technology, suchas motorist information systems, centrally coordinated traffic monitoring and control, signal timing, and other IntelligentTransportation System (ITS) technologies. Mainstreaming consideration of ITS opportunities into planned transportation projects willaccelerate the potential benefits of this new technology. Coordinated development with combined access points can preserve thefunctional capacity of arterial highways, reducing congestion. Regularly scheduled pavement and bridge management can avoidfailures, such as the bridge collapse in Minneapolis in 2006, and eventual, more costly replacements or reconstructions. Investmentsshould continue to concentrate on maintenance and operations, rather than new highway building. The TIP for FY 2009-2012 reflects aSee Map # 5-4IntelligentTransportationSystemsconcerted effort to address bridge structural deficiencies, which is a critical need, but does take away from other TIP programs. This Plan also stresses greateruse of access management and congestion management to obtain greater functionality from our highway system.INTERMODALThe growing momentum towards intermodal transportation must be sustained and cultivated as an underlying philosophy for organizing the transportationsystem at the state, regional and municipal levels. Continued emphasis on modal diversification and intermodal linkages will strengthen the state’stransportation system, reduce pollution, and offer convenient, efficient, and enjoyable means for visitors to traverse the state. Intermodal concepts andprojects have greatly increased over the last decade, but opportunities remain for strengthening the linkages among various modes, and for expanding thediversity of travel options available to Rhode Island residents and visitors. A boom in airport patronage, the inauguration of high-speed rail, and the extensionof commuter rail presage success for the planned intermodal connection of T.F. Green State Airport with the Northeast Rail Corridor. Intermodal terminals areneeded in other places, and meticulous attention must be paid to coordinated scheduling, traveler information services and accurate, well-placed signage tofully support a convenient and effective intermodal system. Convenient intermodal connections can encourage transit usage. Trains to bus, ferry to bus, andairport to other modes -- all need stimulus.Transportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611Rhode Island Statewide Planning ProgramPage 5-5