Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | employment, freight, downtown, and tourismSTRATEGIES(continued)PERFORMANCEMEASURESED.3.mED.3.nED.3.oED.3.pED.3.qED.3.rED.3.sED.3.tED.3.uED.3.vED.3.wED.4.aED.4.bED.4.cED.4.dStudy improved access to the Port of Providence from the Interstate system and rail improvements within the terminal area.Use transportation system investments strategically to support the economic vitality of historic “Main Streets” and similar traditionalvillage and business centers, as well as brownfields and mill villages.Encourage cities and towns to regulate maximum as well as minimum number of parking spaces in their development regulations togive incentives to use alternative modes. Encourage shared parking where differences in peak hour demand allows.Use the Transportation Enhancements Program funded and administered by RIDOT to encourage urban revitalization, such as “MainStreet Rhode Island” restoration activities.Continue to make traffic, construction, and lane closure information available on RIDOT's website.Utilize signs at "gateway" locations, to direct tourists to key destination points. Work with regional and local tourism organizations.Emphasize effective and attractive signage that clearly conveys essential safety and directional information to travelers. Whereappropriate, employ gateway signage to distinguish regions and themes and to provide increased identification for transportationfacilities, business and civic centers, historic districts, institutions, tourist destinations, and natural features like rivers and watersheds.Consider designating "scenic drives" throughout the state.Encourage state financing assistance to developments in areas that are transit accessible.Develop incentives to encourage employers to locate in older central city centers, where transit or other modes are available.Locate sites for new or expanded truck rest areas. Upgrade current rest areas to include electricity, lighting and other facilities asappropriate.Identify and map• Interstate and STRAHNET bridges and overpasses that do not meet 16’ federal defense clearance standard• State highway locations with high-wide clearance or weight restrictions• Rail locations with high-wide clearance or weight restrictionsRecruit one new college or university per year for 5 years for RIPTA’s University Pass Program.Freight [see Highway Performance Measures related to congestion and infrastructure condition].Increase Providence – Newport ferry ridership (almost exclusively leisure/tourism trips) from 38,576 in 2003 by 3% per year.Increase summer ridership on RIPTA Route 67 (Newport mansions). Set baseline when new farebox system is installed.Transportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611RI Statewide Planning ProgramPage 5-14December 2012BICYCLEDESIGNECONOMICDEVELOPMENTEMERGENCYRESPONSEENVIRONMENTEQUITYFINANCEHIGHWAYINTERMODALLAND USE ANDCORRIDORSPEDESTRIANPLANNINGSAFETYTRANSIT