Transportation & Parking Accommodations
Getting around campus and accessing parking is an important part of daily life at URI. The University provides a range of transportation options, built to serve the entire campus community. By embedding accessibility into the core transportation infrastructure, URI reduces the need for separate or specialized services whenever possible. The system benefits:
- Students with mobility disabilities
- Students with temporary injuries
- Students managing chronic health conditions
- Students who do not have access to a car
- Anyone navigating a large campus in challenging weather
When additional support is needed, DAI collaborates with Transportation and Parking to remove barriers through:
- Accessible parking coordination
- First-year parking exemptions when medically necessary
- Supplemental transportation services such as Rhody Rides
This approach shows that URI works to fix barriers in the system itself, instead of expecting students to simply “work around” obstacles.
Campus Transportation
URI provides free, ADA-accessible transportation around the University of Rhode Island campus for students, faculty, staff, and visitors to navigate the Kingston campus efficiently. The Rhody Shuttle Service bridges the distance between classrooms, residence halls, parking areas, and campus facilities, making it easier for riders to get to class, work, dining, and campus events without relying on a personal vehicle. It operates during the fall and spring semesters on weekdays, typically running every 8–20 minutes on weekdays.
In addition to the regular shuttle, DAI offers Rhody Rides, a wheelchair-accessible shuttle service available Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, for students who qualify. This service helps students get to classrooms, residence halls, and on-campus student employment locations, as space allows. Students who need this supplemental shuttle service must complete the standard DAI eligibility process, which determines whether the service is appropriate based on documented need.
Parking
Campus parking is limited, and spaces fill quickly.
All parking on campus is first-come, first-served.
All vehicles on campus must display a valid URI parking permit or guest pass and park only in the area designated for that permit AT ALL TIMES. Parking is strongly enforced in all lots 24 hours/7 days per week. Metered parking may be used with payment.
Residential first-year students are not allowed to park on campus at any time except for metered parking spaces on an occasional basis.
All URI students have the option to use off-campus satellite parking, including those who use their vehicles infrequently or who are seeking a cheaper alternative.
URI provides accessible (🅿️♿) parking spaces throughout campus that comply with ADA standards. Neither Transportation and Parking (TAP) nor DAI can provide permission to park in accessible parking spaces. If a student has an accessible placard from their state, they can add it to their URI parking permit or guest pass to park in accessible spaces on campus.
All vehicles on campus must also have a valid URI parking permit or pass in addition to a disability placard to use accessible parking.
Deadlines Matter!
Students are solely responsible for carefully reviewing and responding to all communications from Transportation & Parking, including published deadlines for purchasing parking permits. DAI cannot waive, excuse, or override any University procedures, requirements, or deadlines under any circumstances.
Special Circumstances
Medical Exemption for First-year Students: First-year students with a disability who medically require access to a vehicle on campus may be eligible for a parking pass exemption through the DAI eligibility process. Documentation must explicitly tie the disability to the on-demand need for a vehicle on campus.
Temporary Parking for Commuter Students: Commuter students with temporary injuries or medical conditions that make using the campus shuttle difficult may apply for a non-renewable short-term parking pass to access faculty/staff parking for up to 30 days, depending on need and availability. This period is intended to allow students time to secure a state-issued disability parking placard from their home state motor vehicle agency. The temporary parking pass does not guarantee available parking in any faculty/staff parking lots.
A parking accommodation does not replace the requirement to purchase a URI parking permit. Students must follow all campus parking regulations and are subject to violations or fines if policies are not followed.
Planning Ahead
Students who wish to use parking or transportation accommodations should engage with DAI early in the eligibility process so that any needed services or documentation can be arranged before classes begin. DAI can help clarify questions and guide students through what steps are needed.