Transportation 2035 - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

December 2012DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGESChanges in location of population and employment in the last decade have varied. Many cities and towns saw population increases, led by West Greenwichand North Smithfield which experienced growth rates over ten percent, but several cities and towns lost one to seven percent of their population, including anumber of cities and inner suburbs, and coastal and island communities. By county, Washington County and Providence County had modest increases, whileNewport County, Kent County, and Bristol County had modest declines.Municipalities experiencing employment growth (by place of work) were decentralized, with the largest percentage gainsoutside the metropolitan core in Exeter, Smithfield, and North Kingstown, while the cities of Providence, Pawtucket, EastProvidence, North Providence, and Central Falls lost jobs. The employment losses in the urban centers of the state result in amore sprawling development pattern and leads to greater vehicle-miles-traveled and more difficulty in providing effectivetransit service.See Map # 1-4Employment LocationChange and Map # 1-5Population ChangeTRAVEL TRENDSRhode Island’s size and development pattern affect how workers travel. In 2010, Rhode Islanders had a mean commute time of 22.9 minutes (down slightlyfrom 23.5 minutes in 2000) and commuted as follows:2010 Work Trips by Mode RI USDrove alone 80.3% 76.6%Carpooled 8.2% 9.7%Public transportation (excluding taxicab) 2.8% 4.9%Taxicab, motorcycle, or bicycle 0.8% 0.8%Walked 3.8% 2.8%Other means 0.8% 0.9%Worked at home 3.3% 4.3%Average travel time (minutes) 22.9 25.9Source: 2010 1-year American Community SurveyTransportation 2035 (2012 Update)State Guide Plan Element 611Rhode Island Statewide Planning ProgramPage 1-24