Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has today launched the New National Demand Management Strategy, which aims to re-allocate road space in Ireland's towns and cities.
Better public transport and more active travel
The strategy, which is due to roll out over the next year, aims to free up road space in urban areas first to accommodate better public transport and active travel. So expect more bus lanes and cycle lanes, as well as pedestrian zones and priority areas.
The plan will involve "widespread public consultation to engage and inform citizens of the transformative changes that are already taking place to improve and enhance public transport and then, to explain the concepts behind and benefits of freeing up our road and public spaces." In line with previously published figures, the aim is a 20 per cent reduction in the number of vehicle kilometres covered by 2030.
According to the Department of Transport, there is an acknowledgement that a carrot is needed to accompany stick, with a spokesperson saying: "Government fully recognises that any demand management measures being considered, such as road space reallocation, car-free zones and user charging will only be effective and equitable when alternative, public transport options are readily available, both in urban and rural areas."
Cities first
The primary focus of the strategy will be on cities at first, and one of the aims of the inter-departmental group which will oversee all of this is that there will be a special committee which will consider any potential impacts on rural communities, mindful that people in rural areas may be more dependent on cars and have less access to public transport.
Minister Ryan said: "Traffic congestion continues to clog our roads in our towns and cities. It causes stress. It slows us down and makes us late. It makes it more difficult for buses to run on time. It's polluting, it's noisy and it's often dangerous for walkers and cyclists. In other words, the system we have now isn't working for people.
"Less traffic congestion, on the other hand, means less stress and more time. It also means improved air quality, more people friendly urban centres and the potential for greater fitness and health through improved active travel.
Improving efficiency
"Demand management in transport is all about improving the efficiency of the existing transportation system, by reducing travel demand rather than increasing capacity. Our transport system at the moment is overly dependent on cars which is leading to daily traffic chaos and lower quality of life, particularly in our cities. As our population grows, these pressures are only going to increase unless we intervene now to reduce our reliance on cars and put in place the systems and road space needed for people to choose quality public transport or active travel."
The Department says that this new strategy is one of a range of efforts to reduce Ireland's CO2 emissions by 2030, including incentives and investment to support a large-scale transition to electric vehicles, increased penetration of biofuels in the fuel mix, and unprecedented levels of funding in active and public transport infrastructure and services. However, there's a recognition that action beyond encouragement will be needed at the end of the Department's statement, which says: "Supports alone will not be enough to achieve our emissions targets or address gridlock, safety or air quality issues in our cities and towns, hence the need for the demand management strategy to support the 20 per cent reduction in car kilometres and the corresponding switch to public transport and active travel."