6.1 NR2040 Commitments

6 Implementation

NR2040 is TII’s strategy for the National Roads network, identifying the function and investment priorities for different parts of the National Roads network, for the purpose of:

»Enabling Project Ireland 2040 (National Planning Framework and NDPs) »Supporting the realisation of several National Strategic Objectives (NSOs) »Aligning with NIFTI and other Government policy

This implementation chapter provides NR2040’s summary guidance to Sponsoring Agencies and Local Authorities. It outlines:

»TII commitments to addressing strategic issues »Provides a means of filtering future interventions »Defines TII investment portfolios »Concludes with TII’s commitment to collaboration, recognised throughout the strategy as a

necessary means for the successful implementation of identified interventions and achievement of national targets

6.1 NR2040 Commitments

The NR2040 Investment Priorities are reinforced by a series of TII commitments, further addressing the strategic issues identified facing the National Roads network in the coming years. Policy obligations, including NPF, NIFTI, the Road Safety Strategy, and internal TII analysis and plans inform these commitments.

These commitments outlined in Table 6.1 can will also be used to influence the scope of projects on the National Roads network developed by local authorities or other agencies.

Table 6.1 NR2040 Commitments

Addressing Issues

NR2040 Commitments

Future Demographic Growth Trends

TII will continue to analyse possible growth in travel demand, reflecting Project Ireland 2040 population targets. TII will continue to develop and plan for multiple future demand scenarios that factor in possible behavioural and technological change. TII will ensure that the potential for induced travel demand will be estimated for all major projects. TII will implement government policy on demand management. NIFTI sets out the importance of the provision of alternative transport options, such as cycle infrastructure and public transport services before demand-side measures are implemented. TII will ensure that any future implementation of demand management proposals on the National Roads network aligns with the National Sustainability Mobility Policy as well as NIFTI Modal and Intervention Hierarchies. TII will explore the potential of road-user charging measures through the Better Road User Charging Evaluation (BRUCE) study

Addressing Issues	NR2040 Commitments
Decarbonisation	To reduce emissions, TII will prioritise trafcfi management investment in freight corridors and where congestion results in high levels of GHG emissions. National Road projects will be appraised in the context of compliance with Ireland’s climate change targets, in line with each of the governments Climate Action Plan, NIFTI and in accordance with the Department of Transports Common Appraisal Framework. Predicted changes and/or targets associated with the levels of usage of each mode (e.g., bicycle, car, public transport, truck, van) will inform this. TII will continue to develop and enhance its Road Emissions Model to explore the emissions impact of changes in transport demand, supply of transport networks/ services and changes in vehicle fel et technology. TII will reduce its emissions and environmental impacts from maintenance and operations of existing National Road infrastructure. TII will reduce carbon emissions associated with the development, construction, and operation of new infrastructure. TII will support the Department of Transport and its Zero Emissions Vehicle Ireland (ZEVI) Ofcfi e to increase the provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide. TII will continue to participate in wider efof rts to decarbonise road transport through the provision of appropriate infrastructure, and technology, and support of policy aimed at changing behaviours.
Climate Adaption & Resilience	TII will enhance the resilience of National Roads, in particular sections of the rural National Secondary road network, that provide lifeline links to individuals and communities. TII will implement its Climate Adaption Strategy (2022).

Addressing Issues	NR2040 Commitments
Sustainability	TII will work with government agencies and stakeholders to support each Climate Action Plan and government’s national climate objective to “transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy by 2050.” TII will incorporate economic, social and environmental sustainability objectives and goals in all decisions, policies, projects and processes. TII will promote inter-modal solutions that maximise overall transport efcfi iency in terms of infrastructure and resource use. For example, facilitating safe active travel along national road corridors that connect with rail and bus stations. In line with its legislative remit, TII will minimise the impact of road infrastructure on the environment and support the development and maintenance of ecological corridors along National Roads. In line with NIFTI, TII will prioritise online improvements and avoid delivering high levels of excess capacity. In line with its legislative remit, TII will work with relevant bodies to support measures to reduce air quality and noise impacts from road transport. TII will continue to support TII’s Sustainability Implementation Plan (and subsequent revisions) to integrate all aspects of sustainability in to TII’s core activities.
Road safety	TII will deliver on its actions in the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021- 2030 ‘Our Journey towards Vision Zero’ and collaborate with partners to deliver on supporting actions. TII will prioritise delivery of high quality, suitable infrastructure to create forgiving roadsides, self-explaining roads and a safe environment for vulnerable road users. In line with NIFTI, TII will meet asset protection and renewal requirements to help to ensure the safety of the network. In line with the European Union’s Road Infrastructure Safety Management (RISM) Directive, TII will target investment on sections of national roads with the highest risk of fatal or serious injury.
Movement of People	TII will support Connecting Ireland and prioritisation measures such as dedicated bus lanes where such prioritisation results in greater transport efcfi iency. TII will consider the needs of all road users for all projects. On urban dual carriageways and motorways approaching cities, TII will work with partner agencies to enable public transport and high-quality active travel alternatives. TII will continue to support reductions in car dependency and levels of car usage nationally while recognising the important role that private mobility plays for many road users. TII recognises that busy urban motorways, ring roads and town bypasses can be hostile environments for pedestrians and cyclists wishing to cross. TII will identify and remedy severance impacts from National Roads. Where bypasses are built, urban realm improvements will be required in the bypassed town to enable more sustainable mobility.

Addressing Issues	NR2040 Commitments
Movement of Goods & Services	In line with the NPF and NIFTI, TII will work to achieve average inter-urban speeds of 90km/h on National Road corridors between Ireland’s fvi e cities (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford) and fvi e regional centres (Letterkenny, Drogheda, Dundalk, Sligo and Athlone). In some instances, this will mean the development of new infrastructure or upgrading of existing infrastructure to deliver on this NPF and NIFTI inter-urban accessibility objective. TII will work towards improving regional and rural accessibility in line with the NPF and NIFTI, In partnership with other agencies, TII will work to protect access to ports and airports and improve access where required. TII will provide/ consider prioritisation measures such as dedicated freight lanes where such prioritisation results in greater transport efficiency. TII supports the development of rail freight and multi-modal freight distribution centres on or near National Roads. TII recognises the need to provide quality services and secure parking areas for HGV drivers as required by both the TEN-T Regulation and ITS Directive. An update to TII’s Service Area Policy, which outlines the current requirement for motorway service area on the motorway and dual carriageway network, will be published in 2023
Urban Congestion	TII will promote traffic management interventions that help optimise traffic movement on urban National Roads. TII will support the use of public transport on or adjacent to urban National Roads. TII will support the provision of segregated or offline active travel infrastructure adjacent to national roads.