SYSTRA Ireland
Publication of The Five Cities Demand Management Study
Publication of The Five Cities Demand Management Study
SYSTRA Ltd has completed a major study for the Department of Transport examining potential Transport Demand Management (TDM) measures in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
These measures aim to influence and change travel demand patterns, and encourage more efficient and sustainable transport use.
The Study arose from Action 81 of the 2019 Climate Action Plan:
“Develop a regulatory framework on low emission zones and parking pricing policies and provide local authorities with the power to restrict access to certain part of a city or town to zero-emission vehicles only. Examine the role of demand management measures in Irish cities, including low emission zones and parking pricing policies.”
The development of the Five Cities Demand Management Study is a result of the urgent requirement to reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions and address rising concerns in relation to urban air quality. In addition, the Study reflects the need to manage the impacts of urban congestion and improve the quality of life for people living, visiting, working and studying in our cities.
This Study provides a focused and evidence-based approach to identify appropriate TDM measures to manage transport demand in Ireland’s five largest urban centres—Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. As part of the Study, a range of measures were examined using insight from international best practice along with national and local stakeholder engagement and supported by detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis in order to assess their impact in reducing emissions, tackling congestion, improving air quality, and improving the overall urban environment of the five cities.
Overall, the Study’s recommended measures form the future strategic direction of transport demand management in Ireland’s major urban centres. The three priority TDM measures recommended for implementation across the five cities are as follows:
- Develop and embed the concept of 15-minute neighbourhoods through national and local plans and strategies, providing resources to incentivise their implementation through national funding/grants schemes.
- Enhance delivery of the National Planning Framework.
- Public Parking Controls.
The Study also includes a set of user-friendly TDM Toolkits to enable stakeholders, such as Local Authorities, to quickly identify appropriate demand management measures for their local contexts. It is recommended that all measures within the Toolkits are considered for implementation within the next five years, as required by the individual needs of cities.
The Five Cities Transport Demand Management Study will support a more sustainable transport future, maximising the benefits of transport investment and helping to achieve our climate goals while also supporting improved air quality, less congestion and higher quality urban realm in Irish cities.
A copy of the Executive Summary and full Report can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/19071-department-of-transport-publishes-five-cities-demand-management-research-report/
For more details, please contact Dr Sinead Canny (scanny@systra.com) or Alison Pickett (apickett@systra.com).
