Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

ENVIRONMENT | air, water, noise, energy, community livabilitySTRATEGIES EN.3.aEN.3.bEN.3.cEN.3.dEN.3.eEN.3.fEN.3.gEN.3.hEN.3.iReduce VMT’s and SOV’s through development and utilization of alternative travel modes (bus, rail, and ferry transit, bicycle, andpedestrian) and encouraging ride-sharing (carpools and vanpools).Promote adoption of municipal land development provisions that require integration of bicycle and pedestrian facilities (bikeways, bikelanes, and bicycle user facilities; paths, sidewalks, nature trails) as part of development and redevelopment.Retain and expand vegetated buffers and other landscape elements within transportation corridor rights of way and within privatedevelopments (especially those in urban areas or receiving public support) wherever possible to filter stormwater, improve air quality,act as a noise buffer, mitigate heat island effects, and improve the visual quality. (See related recommendations of the Urban ForestElement of the State Guide Plan.) Utilize BMP’s in mowing to avoid erosion and according to plant and flower self-seeding seasons.Remove non-native invasive species where feasible. Strive for a 2:1 wetland replacement ratio on site.Manage highway runoff as a system wide mitigation measure to improve water quality and maintain watershed integrity. To the extentpossible, retain stormwater in the rights of way of state highways. Implement the six Phase II minimum requirements under thefederal/state stormwater management programs. Fund and implement stormwater retrofits and best management practices in areasdesignated as priorities by DEM 303(d) list and where transportation corridors intersect bodies of water. Continue cooperation andconsultation with DEM and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), and coordinate with municipalities on the designand construction of efficient and environmentally friendly stormwater drainage systems, including the construction of stormwaterretrofit “best management practices” identified through DEM’s TMDL Program. Promote pre-treatment for stormwater for infiltrationand use of porous pavements over recharge areas. Ensure that maintenance of highway stormwater drainage systems (includingstreet sweeping) is a funded priority. Explore opportunities to test stormwater for possible use in irrigation.Continue to add alternative fuel technology vehicles to the state and local vehicle fleets while promoting diesel retrofitting of oldervehicles. Encourage greater use of hybrid electric / gasoline vehicles that do not require special fueling stations. Continue to replace orupgrade older transit vehicles with clean fuel vehicles. Implementation of school bus diesel retrofits should begin in urban schooldistricts where children are exposed to higher levels of air pollution.Support passage of legislation establishing a Vehicle Efficiency Incentive Program that provides rebates to purchasers of new fuelefficient vehicles, funded by fees charged to purchasers of inefficient vehicles.Effectively use Intelligent Transportation System technologies to reduce recurring and non-recurring congestion and thereby reducingidling emissions. Electrify major truck stops to provide shore power to vehicles during mandated rest periods. Support controls onunnecessary idling of diesel trucks and buses.Take prudent and cost effective measures to minimize noise pollution, such as quieter pavements and vegetation buffers.Continue to utilize the Transportation Enhancement, Congestion Mitigation / Air Quality, and Safe Routes To School Programs to fundprojects that benefit the environment.Transportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611RI Statewide Planning ProgramPage 5-18December 2012BICYCLEDESIGNECONOMICDEVELOPMENTEMERGENCYRESPONSEENVIRONMENTEQUITYFINANCEHIGHWAYINTERMODALLAND USE ANDCORRIDORSPEDESTRIANPLANNINGSAFETYTRANSIT