Exploring the connections between ferries and urban form: Some considerations before jumping on board

Due in part to new technology and rapid population growth in coastal areas, there recently has been renewed interest in making ferry service an important part of urban transportation in the United States. This paper explores the relationship between ferry service and the built environment by examining three questions. First, what types of urban regional forms are most compatible with passenger ferry service? Second, what type of land-use activities can ferries support in and around a ferry terminal? Third, how should ferry terminals specifically and the waterfront generally be developed to maintain future flexibility for ferry services? A literature review on ferry services and terminals in coastal metropolitan areas and visits to several of the sites discussed in the literature are used as the basis for the general discussion about the interrelationship between ferries and urban form and the factors that create competitive advantages and disadvantages for ferries. The lessons learned from this review are applied to evaluate the feasibility for new or expanded ferry service on Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Findings indicate that while there are opportunities for new ferry routes and ferry transit-oriented development, investments in terminals should be kept to a minimum, especially at the beginning of a new service. Instead, resources should be focused on creating mixed-use neighborhoods near the ferry landing. Since water bodies represent an important type of open space in populated areas, the terminal, staging area and landing space for the ferry also be minimized.