3.7 Road Safety

3.5 Air Quality

The transport system in Ireland is highly fossil fuel dependent (diesel & petrol), which results in significant emissions of GHGs and air pollutants (that are contained in exhaust fumes) to the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ‘An Integrated Assessment Report - 2020’ predicts that the transport sector will continue to dominate in emissions of NOx for the 2020 and 2030 period meaning transport will continue to be one of the most significant contributors to air pollution in Ireland. The composition of the Irish vehicle fleet plays a significant role in local ambient air pollution levels. The number of Irish vehicles on the roads has grown consistently in line with population growth and economic growth contributing to a rise in NOx emissions. Implementing measures identified in NR2040, as well as the Government’s Climate Action Plan, is likely to result in more concerted efforts to address air quality issues across Ireland including those from the transport sector.

3.6 Noise

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), noise is the second greatest environmental cause of health problems, after air quality. Environmental noise from major infrastructure including roads, railways and airports is governed by the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/42/ EC. The Directive relates to the assessment and management of environmental noise and is the key EU instrument to identify noise pollution levels and to trigger the necessary action both at Member State and at EU level. In Ireland, the Directive is transposed into Irish Law by the European Communities (Environmental Noise) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 549 of 2018). Under the regulations, TII is responsible for the development of strategic noise mapping for all National Roads carrying more than 3 million vehicles a year and for major railways which carry more than 30,000 passengers per year. Local Authorities are responsible for preparing the Noise Action Plan. CAP includes targets to reduce the total vehicle kilometres of travel by 20 percent by 2030 which will also influence reductions in noise from road transport.

3.7 Road Safety

Road Safety is at the heart of every aspect of management of the National Roads network, on the way towards achieving Vision Zero

Ireland’s new Government Road Safety Strategy (2021-2030) ‘Our Journey towards Vision Zero’ has set an ambitious target for Ireland to reduce road traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 50 percent by 2030. Longer term, the strategy aims to eradicate road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2050. In 2021, there were 58 fatalities on National Roads11, representing a declining trend but still an area for continuous improvement.

An upturn in active travel modes and specifically in cycling, both for commuting and leisure, emphasises the need for a greater focus on prioritising the safety of vulnerable road users. Better cycling and walking provision are an important consideration for investment in the National Roads network and prioritisation of vulnerable road users aligns with the modal hierarchy set out in NIFTI.

TII’s statutory remit includes the provision of a safe and efficient National Roads network. The Vision Zero long-term goal and the Safe Systems approach must inform TII investment decisions.

Safe Systems approach Places primary responsibility for road safety on system designers. Four principles identified are:

Human life and health are paramount and take priority over

Road traffic systems should

Providers and regulators must

Providers & regulators share

take account of

do their duty to support safe travel

responsibility

human fallibility and resultant harm

mobility

of all citizens

11 TII-National-Roads-Network-Indicators-2021