Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

December 2012Plan – A blueprint to guide the region’s transportation for the next 25 years. Federal law requires the Plan be updated every three years (in areas that do notmeet air quality standards) to ensure that the plan remains current and effective at achieving the goals. Sometimes referred to as Regional Transportation Plan(RTP) or Long Range Plan (LRP).Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) - SAFETEA-LU authorizes the Federal surface transportationprograms for highways, highway safety, and transit for the 5-year period 2005-2009. It was signed into effect in august 2005 and replaced and expanded onthe previous TEA-21 authorization bill.Statewide Implementation Plan (SIP) – Documents prepared by states and submitted to the EPA for approval, which identify actions and programs to carry outthe requirements of the Clean Air Act.Statewide Travel Demand Model: The model is an effective tool for determining changes or redistribution of traffic flows associated with changes orimprovements to the network. The model is also used in projecting future traffic on the networks due to changes in demographics, or the development ofspecial trip generators such as new businesses or stadiums. Computerized demand models are sophisticated and provide additional data such as system wideVMT’s or VHT’s (vehicle miles of travel and vehicle hours of travel). A model can also provide estimates of travel speeds on a link-by-link basis. The speeds arenormally predicted as an average 24-hour speed; however, they can be adjusted to provide an average hourly speed.Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) – An advisory committee to the RI State Planning Council that represents a diverse group of organizations. Themission of the TAC is to advise the Council on public participation strategies, the Plan, and the TIP, and to provide a forum for public input.Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) – The acronym for the 1998 federal transportation authorization bill. Replaced ISTEA, but continuedand expanded ISTEA’s restructured programs for all modes of transportation. It provides guidelines to authorize federal funding of transportation projects.(Reauthorized as SAFETEA-LU in 2005)Transportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611Rhode Island Statewide Planning Program D-3