Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

December 2012BICYCLEThe state is accomplishing bike path construction at a pace that will meet targets. Bicycle mode share is not yet available.ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTTwo of RIPTA’s three targets have been met – university recruiting for U-Pass Program (commuting indicator) and Providence-Newport Ferry ridership (tourismindicator).EMERGENCY RESPONSEHurricane evacuation routes and Highway Functional Classification amendments are complete. Data is not available to quantify incident clearance time orintersection level of service.ENVIRONMENTMode split (Census) data are not available. Water quality and emissions data also are not available. Gasoline consumption has increased, rather thandecreased, but the baseline data could not be verified. It is recommended that that a new baseline be set in the next update of the Plan, and the target resetto be consistent with a highway measure (H.4.h) to slow the rate of growth of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), rather than reduce VMT which is not consideredto be realistic. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions has slowed. While that shows some improvement, it does not indicate adequate progress toward thegoal.EQUITYTransportation spending objectives in low-income and minority districts have been met, but data is not readily available to measure the percentage of FamilyIndependence Program families within ¼ mile of a transit route.FINANCESeveral steps have been taken in the last two (2) years to address the issue of bond borrowing as a match for federal funds and to smooth the shard peak thathad been anticipated in debt service over the next decade as a result of prior borrowing. These steps are detailed on Page 3-10 of this document. RIPTA’sfarebox recovery has increased and is moving in the direction of hitting the 35 percent target. Transportation spending (authorizations) has not kept pace withrising construction costs. RIDOT’s financial system is not yet capable of tracking project cost overruns.Transportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611Rhode Island Statewide Planning ProgramPage 1-7