Programme

The SMP Pathfinder Programme was established in October 2022, and comprised a series of innovative projects and initiatives across the country, with the objective of innovating for change in the transport sector and demonstrating how delivery can happen at pace.

●Given the importance of public engagement and consultation in garnering public acceptance for projects and encouraging behavioural change once they are in place, and the need for capacity in these areas to be strengthened, it is proposed to establish a framework for the procurement of communications and engagement services to support the rollout of Active Travel projects.

To mark the mid-point of the Programme (May 2024), a review was overseen by the SMP Delivery Team and finalised for consideration of the Leadership Group in October 2024. The purpose of the review was to assess the performance of the Pathfinder Programme and individual projects in meeting their objectives, as well as to consider learnings from the Programme to date and to identify any further supports that may enhance capacity within local authorities and other delivery bodies to implement sustainable mobility projects.

In addition to implementing these recommendations, the Department is continuing to engage with Pathfinder project leads on a quarterly basis to track progress in delivering the projects. While a small number of projects have fallen away from the Programme, many others are progressing, with the successful installation of the Sustainable Transport Bridge superstructure in Waterford North Quays in May 2025 a particularly striking example of the innovative approach which is key to the Pathfinder Programme.

The Review made three horizontal recommendations, which are currently being advanced:

The Pathfinder Programme will continue to run until the end of 2025. Following its conclusion, it is intended to capture key data from the projects delivered, which will help to inform the delivery of future projects at scale and the ongoing approach by the Department to supporting and communicating the benefits of sustainable mobility projects.

●A more integrated approach is needed to support and fund transport-oriented urban realm projects, having regard to a range of policy objectives including those related to Town Centre First.

●Building on the success of the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Accelerator (SSMA) Pathfinder project, a more enduring model for capacity building in this area is required, having regard to the potential for mainstreaming initiatives within existing training and development mechanisms, to help embed behavioural change and systems thinking across wide-ranging teams within LAs.