about metered parking

The installation of meters in some College Hill areas

where they do not currently exist (see map) will
maximize the use of off-street parking and existing
shuttle programs, and encourage better utilization
of public transportation, walking, biking, and carpooling. The task force recommends that meters be
installed in the core of College Hill where there is
the most demand for convenient all-day and shortterm parking.
Metered parking rates have not yet been determined.
The task force recommends hourly rates that are
affordable but also serve to make public transportation and off-street lots attractive. Where possible,
block meters are recommended to reduce visual
clutter and for their ease of use. Such meters also
provide greater flexibility for payment options.

College Hill

Parking and Traffic

on College Hill
Recommendations of the
College Hill Parking Task Force
Providence, Rhode Island

Background

Key Findings

The College Hill Parking Task Force was created at

the request of the Providence City Plan Commission
in 2006 to examine parking and traffic issues on
College Hill and to develop recommendations that
would address the needs and concerns of all in the
community. The task force met monthly during
2007, guided by consultants from Vanasse Hangen
Brustlin Inc., an engineering firm specializing in
traffic and parking planning and design. A primary
goal of the task force was to offer recommendations
that would be self-funding and could serve as a
model for other Providence neighborhoods.

Current on-street parking is adequate for the

neighborhoods needs, but it requires a more effective management program and the designation of
some all-day, on-street parking areas.

Goals

Spring 2008

The task force sought to build cooperation among

College Hill institutions, city government, and local
residents in order to reduce the number of cars
traveling to and within the neighborhood on a daily
basis.

Specific concerns included:

The present system of limited-time on-street parking, both metered and unmetered, contributes to
traffic congestion and detracts from productivity by
forcing area employees and students to move their
cars from one short-term space to another several
times a day.

The group was committed to increasing the use

of public transportation to open up more on-street
parking spaces.

Thayer Street and other merchants would benefit

College Hill Parking

Task Force
To review the report and for
more contact information,
please visit
www.collegehillparking.org

from more short-term parking spaces in core business areas.

Better traffic-signal synchronization, pavement

markings, and signage are needed in order to
improve the safety and efficiency of streets, intersections, and crosswalks.

Designating enough all-day, on-street parking will

reduce traffic congestion.
Many intersections and some major streets suffer
from unnecessary congestion, delays, and safety
issues.
Curb use and traffic-control signage is confusing
and inconsistent.
Pedestrian behavior, such as jaywalking, exacerbates congestion and safety concerns.

The neighborhood must more effectively accommodate vehicles servicing local businesses and
institutions.

college hill parking task force members

Arlington Street / Brown Stadium Neighbors
Brown University
College Hill Neighborhood Association
Fox Point Neighborhood Association
Jewelry District Association
Moses Brown School
Department of Planning and Development
Providence Police Traffic and Parking Enforcement
Providence Traffic Engineering
Department of Public Works
Rhode Island Judiciary (Licht Judicial Complex)
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)
Rhode Island School of Design
Thayer Street District Management Association
Wheeler School
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.

Recommendations

The target area is bounded to

the north by Olney Street, to the
east by Arlington and Ives streets,
to the south by John Street, and
to the west by Benefit Street.

ing
ton
str
eet

reet

ho

thayer street

brown st

pe

str
eet

No parking loading zone

Short-term parking, some
metered

ll
ange

stree

No parking
Long-term metered parking
Long-term parking
Long-term parking with
restrictions

waterman

street

Area required to meet long-term

parking demand. Assumes 3
spaces in all east-west running
blocks outside the metered area
designated as short-term parking for residential use. Specific
locations to be determined.

ives street

Enhance parking enforcement.

The task force suggests that the city increase the
number of parking patrols on College Hill and
explore technologies such as electronic boots and
mobile license-plate photography. Local institutions
should work with city government to ensure that
parking tickets are paid.

et

tree

Wheeler and Moses Brown

stre

RISD

pect

Brown

fit s

Improve safety and efficiency of streets.

The task force recommends improving street markings and signage for specific intersections and
crosswalks, enhancing center-line and lane markings on Angell and Waterman Streets, creating yellow curb zones to improve visibility at intersections,
instituting a consistent and clear delivery schedule
for Thayer Street, and upgrading traffic-signal timing along the Angell and Waterman corridors.

pros

Retail

Government buildings

Increase promotion of measures to reduce parking

demand.
Measures include more support by institutions for
carpooling and ride-sharing programs, the relocation of Brown undergraduate overnight permit parking off College Hill, more incentives and support for
bicycle commuters, and educational outreach programs to promote public transportation and a
pedestrian-friendly environment.

street

bene

Increase the use of public transportation.

The task force recommendations that local institutions strengthen their institutional support of
RIPTA. It urges an investigation of RIPTA stops and
route changes to attract riders and the development
of more shuttle options and incentives.

olney

arl

Implement a comprehensive on-street parking plan.

This will include street-by-street designation of
short-term and all-day parking areas, provision of
short-term spaces for guest and service daytime
use, and installation of parking meters in the central
area. Income from the latter may help fund other
traffic improvements. (See map.)

Proposed
Parking Regulations
and Metering

College Hill Parking

Task Force
To review the report and for
more contact information,
please visit
www.collegehillparking.org

john street