Rhode Island Code of Regulations Title 550 - State Traffic Commission
Here’s a refined overview of Rhode Island Code of Regulations – Title 550: State Traffic Commission (RICR), outlining its primary rules and structure based on the current active regulation:
🚦 Title 550 – State Traffic Commission Overview
550‑RICR‑00‑00‑1 – Active Rule (effective January 4, 2022)
This is the Commission’s governing rule—“Rules of Practice and Procedure”—promulgated under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 31‑12 through 31‑27 (rules.sos.ri.gov).
🧭 Key Provisions
1. Authority & Purpose
The Commission derives its authority from Chapters 31‑12 through 31‑27 of Rhode Island General Laws.
The rule describes the nature of formal and informal procedures of the Commission, including forms and instructions (rules.sos.ri.gov).
2. Adoption of MUTCD
The Commission formally incorporates the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 23 C.F.R. § 655 subpart F (2009), as the standard for all traffic control devices in Rhode Island, so long as not inconsistent with state rules (rules.sos.ri.gov).
3. Duties & Public Accessibility
The Commission adopts the MUTCD as the official guide for regulation of traffic devices (rules.sos.ri.gov).
All meetings are open to the public. Attendees may speak on agenda items after completing a “Request to the State Traffic Commission to be Heard” form (rules.sos.ri.gov).
The Traffic Engineer must publish annual reports online and give written notice of meetings and minutes in accordance with the Open Meetings Act (rules.sos.ri.gov).
4. Procedures for Requests
Requests for installing or removing traffic control devices (signs, signals, markings, etc.) can be submitted by certain officials—municipal officials, police, state police, General Assembly members, U.S. Congress delegation, and the DOT Director. Members of the public must go through one of these officials (rules.sos.ri.gov).
Written requests go to RIDOT’s Managing Engineer for Traffic Design and are slated for the next Commission meeting. The appropriate municipality and police department must be notified (rules.sos.ri.gov).
5. Engineering & Evaluation Standards
Before decision, requests are evaluated; the Commission may deny without formal study, although DOT may conduct engineering analyses (e.g., MUTCD warrants, pedestrian counts, accident reviews) as needed (rules.sos.ri.gov).
Special provisions apply:
Private developers paying for traffic signals installation and permit fees.
Fire, school districts, municipalities fund installation, electric costs, and indemnify the state for signals or pedestrian crossing signs (app.leg.wa.gov, rules.sos.ri.gov).
The Commission won’t reconsider substantially similar requests within 12 months unless conditions have changed (rules.sos.ri.gov).
📋 Regulatory Snapshot
Section
Focus
§ 1.1–1.2
Authority & procedural purpose
§ 1.3
Adoption of MUTCD standards
§ 1.4
Core duties including public meeting requirements
§ 1.5
Rules for request submissions, evaluations, and decision-making
✅ Additional Notes
The State Traffic Engineer is responsible for administering the Commission's processes, including agenda setting, notifications, publishing minutes, and annual reports (law.cornell.edu, rules.sos.ri.gov).
The Commission typically meets monthly (e.g., second Wednesday at 10 a.m.) with a quorum of three members; meetings are governed under the Open Meetings Act (risos-apa-production-public.s3.amazonaws.com).
Administrative and operational details (e.g., membership, member training, annual reporting format) are described in older DOT procedural documents, which largely remain consistent with the active rule .
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