3.12 Asset Management and Operations

from stop-start traffic conditions. However, this may be mitigated over time, thanks to car fleet electrification policies.

Managing congestion on the urban sections of the National Roads network will allow TII to optimise the use of assets under its remit. However, we cannot build our way out of urban congestion challenges. The management of National Roads must balance increasing mobility demands and finite road space. A collaboration of stakeholders, sectors and interventions is necessary. Ongoing monitoring and demand analysis will enable identification of necessary interventions, such as road space repurposing. Where the National Roads network cannot safely accommodate all road users, including active travel modes, adjacent alternative solutions should be explored.

3.11 Technological Change

The management and operation of National Roads must evolve to support and manage the uptake in developing technologies to the benefit of customers.

The transport options available for customers will expand as technology develops. Aspects where technological change is likely to include: connected vehicles, dynamic traffic management, advanced intelligent transport systems (ITS), electrification of vehicles and potentially energy generating capacity within the road network, advanced payment systems, improved customer information, enforcement measures, Mobility as a Service (MaaS). These technological changes may transform the way National Roads are used and operated.

TII has deployed proven road technologies and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) on key sections of the National Roads network. TII is currently in the latter phases of implementing Variable Speed Limits on the M50 as part of its Dynamic Traffic Management Project and has commenced a Co-operative ITS pilot project on the M50 and M1 in Dublin. TII is committed to the facilitation of Connected Driving on National Roads in collaboration with key stakeholders.

It is from this base that the technological future of the National Roads network will evolve.

3.12 Asset Management and Operations

The National Roads network is a valued state asset that requires extensive investment for ongoing management and operations.

Past capital investment in National Roads, including motorways and dual carriageways, has delivered a valuable state asset. The management and operation of this asset represents TII’s main expenditure item and will increase as the network, particularly the motorways sections, approaches an age where it requires major renewal investment. Overall ageing of the asset coupled with climate change will affect network resilience and put a further strain on the budget for the ongoing maintenance and operations of the National Roads network. If investment in protection and renewal is deferred, there will be a greater overall cost incurred as the asset deteriorates further.

Meanwhile, new categories of expenditure are expected over time with technology playing a greater role in the management of the asset and demand for the same. Protection and Renewal is one of NIFTI’s Investment Priorities and requires prioritisation by TII. It must also be noted that public-private partnership (PPP) contracts for the motorway network will begin to expire in the 2030s which will require decisions on how the transition will be managed and what the replacement model might be.

Figure from page 31

TII’s Project BRUCE (Better Road User Charging Evaluation) will help inform a future direction for road user charging, operation and maintenance. It will consider whether the existing PPP road tolls should be removed, retained or replaced with a new user charging model.