Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

December 2012conduit for traffic between New York, Boston, and Cape Cod. A regional analysis conducted by the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council documented thecrucial importance of regional transportation linkages to Rhode Island’s future economic strength, identifying the state’s location along the major highway,high speed rail, and proximity to international shipping lanes as a strategic asset. As economic and transportation linkages have grown stronger within theregion, commuting patterns have also shifted. Many Rhode Islanders are commuting to jobs in the metropolitan Boston area, and in southeastern Connecticut.Projects such as extension of commuter rail service and development of the intermodal train station at T.F. Green Airport are designed to capitalize on thesestrategic strengths.ORGANIZATION FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNINGRhode Island, because of its size, is unique and efficient in its organizational structure for transportation planning. Planning activities are carried out on aconsolidated statewide basis rather than at both the state and regional / metropolitan levels, as is the case in most other states. Federal regulations call forthe Governor to designate a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as being responsible, along with the state transportation agency, for meetingrequirements for highway and transit projects funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. In Rhode Island, the MPO is the State Planning Council,whose staff is the Statewide Planning Program which is within the Rhode Island Department of Administration. The State Planning Council includesmembership from state executive agencies, local government, and the general public. The State Planning Council coordinates planning and developmentactivities in the state through the intergovernmental review process and development of the State Guide Plan.The State Planning Council has two permanent advisory committees: the Technical Committee and the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). TheTransportation Advisory Committee (TAC) is comprised of representatives of state agencies, local governments, regional organizations, transportation systemproviders and users, private organizations, and citizens that have an interest or expertise in transportation matters. This group meets monthly and is directlyinvolved in preparing the transportation plan, Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and Unified Planning Work Program. The TAC advises the StatePlanning Council on all surface transportation-related matters and also serves as the cornerstone for public involvement in the transportation planningprocess.The Statewide Planning Program staff, as part of a state planning agency, integrates transportation with other planning issues, such as land use, housing,natural resources, and economic development through the review and approval of local comprehensive plans. Additionally, advanced planning tools arehoused within the Statewide Planning Program, namely Rhode Island Geographic Information Systems (RIGIS) and the Statewide Travel Demand Model. Thestaff works cooperatively with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), other state agencies,officials in 39 cities and towns, one Indian tribe, neighboring states and MPO’s, multi-state and Canadian provincial groups, and federal agencies.In addition, transportation planning is closely tied to air quality objectives, and the Long Range Transportation Plan and TIP both undergo a rigorous air qualityconformity analyses. To ensure the State’s air quality objectives related to transportation are achieved Statewide Planning works closely with the Rhode IslandDepartment of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).Transportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611Rhode Island Statewide Planning ProgramPage 1-2