6,000 Parking Spots, 20,000 Cars

The major obstacle to solving the problem is that the colonial-era city is largely built out or historically preserved. A streetcar linking downtown to the beach is under consideration as a possible solution.

"'Getting them from point A to point B quicker than if they took their vehicle or walked is a necessity for them to ride this people mover,' said Paige Bronk, Newport's director of planning, zoning, development and inspection.

Though a modern streetcar system may seem out-of-place with the city's colonial appeal, officials say it could actually be a throwback to the early 20th century, when trolleys operated in the city. Plus, Bronk said, there's nothing quaint about the city's traffic."