RIDOT Seeks Information to Prepare for Future of Transportation

By: Tim Studebaker

Facebook: @TStudebakerABC6

Twitter: @TStudebakerABC6

Email: tstudebaker@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – You’ve likely heard about driverless cars and high speed rail lines, but Rhode Island transportation officials are asking: What else is coming down the road, and how will we need to prepare?

The face of transportation is changing, and with many new options expected to come online within the next several years, the state of Rhode Island is working to get a leg up on the situation so they can be prepared for that not–so–distant future.

The Department of Transportation is reaching out to private manufacturers to help guide the state’s transportation efforts.

RIDOT Director Peter Alviti says, "I think we’ll be one of the first that are doing this, although many states are looking at it and studying it.  I look forward to Rhode Island being one of the leaders in this industry."

At the forefront of the movement: cars that drive themselves.

Alviti says, "We expect GM to have in production by 2020, and Ford is saying by 2021, the first commercially available autonomous vehicles."

Alviti tells us some of the state’s concerns with driverless vehicles include legal and insurance questions, how to prepare roadways, and how to enforce traffic laws. He also says there’s an economic opportunity at hand.

Alviti says, "The Governor looks at this as being a potential for job creation and job improvements here in the state."

But, it’s not just driverless vehicles.

"I think this will have a big impact on mass transit and the way that that’s provided to end users.  We’re opening this conversation up to more than just ‘What does a car look like that will drive itself?’"

The state will collect responses through mid–July.  After that, they plan to hold an expo for those experts that responded so they can continue to develop ideas for the future.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017