5.4 Enhanced Regional and Rural Connectivity

Project showcase- M50 Demand Management Study (DMS)

The M50 is the single most important element of the road transport network in Ireland for the movement of people and goods. TII prepared the M50 Demand Management Study (DMS) in 2014 to set out a plan for the management of increasing demand through fiscal policy, intelligent transport systems/traffic control, information, smarter travel and network control measures. Elements of this Study have subsequently been delivered including an Incident Management System, junction layout improvements and Variable Speed Limits on the M50. In 2021 TII, in recognising continued growth (and associated emissions) on the M50, commissioned further work to gain a thorough understanding of the M50 users and customers including extensive customer engagement.

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5.4 Enhanced Regional and Rural Connectivity

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The enhanced regional and rural connectivity investment priority encapsulates the social and economic importance of the National Roads network, in supporting and balancing the regional cities, key settlements, and rural areas’ prosperity and growth, towards achieving Project Ireland 2040 goals.

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Figure from page 43

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The NPF, under NSO2, highlights the need to improve accessibility to the South, North-West and North-East20; and identifies sections of the National Roads network that are prioritised for improvement.

5.4.1.1 Inter Urban Connectivity

The NPF, under NSO-2, aims to reduce journey times between the five cities (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford) and five centres of scale, Sligo, Letterkenny, Dundalk, Drogheda and Athlone. The NPF set a target for an average inter-urban speed of 90kph. Most of the inter-urban road travel on the existing motorway and dual carriageway network currently achieves or exceeds this target. On the existing motorway and dual carriageway network, the focus of investment will be on protection, renewal along with the provision of enhanced facilities for public transport on the approaches to cities.

TII analysis, using its National Transport Model21, has identified National Roads corridors where this target is not currently achieved and where additional interventions would support the achievement of an average inter-urban speed of approximately 90 kph, between the five cities and five centres of scale. These corridors are mainly National Primary roads as shown in Figure 5.3.

20 National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (December 2021), p. 38. 21 https://www.tii.ie/tii-library/strategic-planning/

Targeted interventions along sections of these corridors may include road upgrades, enhancements and/or town bypasses. Any interventions proposed must be developed in accordance with NIFTI’s Investment Priorities and its Modal and Intervention Hierarchies.

Figure 5.3 Interurban Conectivity

Improved Road sections where significant infrastructure upgrades have taken place in recent times are shown in magenta/blue, while those in green are corridors where interventions would support the 90kph NPF target

5.4.1.2 Regional Connectivity

Both the NPF and NIFTI indicate the importance of maintaining and improving accessibility to and between the more peripheral areas of the state, for instance, the South and Northwest. The provision of a safe, efficient and reliable network under this classification is a priority; ensuring that the South, Northwest and Northeast regions as defined by the NPF, have a high degree of accessibility to Dublin and other urban centres.

Any interventions brought forward will be developed in accordance with the NIFTI Investment Priorities and the Modal and Intervention Hierarchies. For example, provision of town bypasses on corridors shown in Figure 5.3, may remove traffic from towns and thus support the Government’s ‘Town Centre First’ policy.

5.4.1.3 International Connectivity

The NPF under NSO6 recognises that National Roads are an important element in ensuring high quality international connectivity to ports and airports. High quality international connectivity is particularly important for business and freight travel. Strengthening access routes to Ireland’s ports through investment to upgrade and enhance the road and rail transport network to improve journey times remains a government priority in the NDP.

Two National Road schemes, currently in planning will improve access to the Tier 1 ports of Ringaskiddy and Shannon-Foynes. The construction of these links will complete the core Trans European Transport Network (TEN- T) road network in Ireland and are to be completed by 2030 in line with EU TEN-T regulations.

Aside from these projects, priority on the corridors shown in Figure 5.4 will be to maintain route quality, efficient operation and to manage congestion in the vicinity of Tier 1 and Tier 2 ports and airports, including the Dublin tunnel. It should be noted that all roads serve multiple functions

Figure 5.4 Dominant function of National Primary Roads

Figure from page 46

The National Secondary Network must respond to a wide variety of needs, as it performs different functions in different locations. Certain National Secondary Roads provide inter-urban connectivity to the five cities and five regional centres, as shown in Figure 5.5. Other Secondary Roads form key transport links for surrounding areas and have an important function for the community.

Based on detailed analysis, conducted by TII, the National Secondary Road network has been categorised into three functions: Lifeline, Arterial and Collector, to guide investment.

5.4.2.1 Lifeline Roads

Lifeline National Secondary roads carry limited traffic flows but form key transport links for the surrounding communities. They are primarily located in rural settings and in areas of complex topography with very few alternative routes. This type of road serves a lifeline function for its individual transport users. Availability and climate resilience are priorities for lifeline roads.

5.4.2.2 Arterial Roads

Figure 5.5 Dominant function of National Secondary Roads

Arterial National Secondary roads cater for high travel demand and are in close proximity to large urban centres. Arterial National Secondary Roads corridors have a similar role to certain National Primary corridors in terms of moving people and freight. Arterial roads are subject to increased demand for movement of people and goods and will likely require interventions.

5.4.2.3 Collector Roads

Collector National Secondary roads cater for travel needs across much of the state. Collectors have some level of redundancy, meaning closures are only an inconvenience because alternative routes are available. Safety and route consistency is a priority for these roads.

Any interventions for National Secondary roads will be selected through application of the NIFTI Modal and Intervention Hierarchies.