Rhode Island Transportation Innovation Partnership
In 2017 RIDOT launched the Rhode Island Transportation Innovation Partnership (TRIP). This multi-agency effort accepted proposals in 2018 for an autonomous vehicle transit pilot program in Providence, which operated for one year as the Little Roady shuttle.
TRIP will engage the community, researchers, policy-makers, and other stakeholders as it explores solutions to address transportation needs for communities using connected and highly automated or autonomous vehicles (CAVs). At each step there will be careful consideration of existing infrastructure, land use planning, technology, and the natural environment.
TRIP also includes a research component, with the goal of studying autonomous mobility solutions, ridership, workforce impacts, environmental impacts, and technology adoption, among others.
TRIP Goals
- SAFER TRANSPORTATION: In the long run, autonomous vehicles may have the potential to eliminate many of the human factors that cause traffic fatalities. In the short term, as we transition to this new mode of travel and test them, CAVs must be able to safely share the road with all users.
- SUSTAINABILITY: We will work to ensure that integration of CAV technology achieves reductions in fuel use and associated carbon emissions.
- EQUITABLE MOBILITY: Integration of this new technology will adapt to the needs of a broad user base and accommodate a diverse set of needs
- ECONOMY & WORKFORCE: Rhode Island supports training for new career pathways that will help offset any changes in job opportunities, encourage new investment, and expand opportunities for our workforce.
- SMART CITIES: Our infrastructure can serve as a platform for information-gathering and sharing to improve our systems, expand efficiencies, and allow for connectivity while protecting the privacy of individual users.
