WOCREF 2012 Richard Manton 13-14 th September 2012

1. Identification and classification of factors affecting route selection of cycling routes in Ireland WOCREF 2012 Richard Manton 13-14th September 2012

2. Outline • Introduction • Methodology • Identification and Classification • Case Study • Conclusions

3. Introduction: Travel in 2011

4. 100 km 50 mi National Cycle Network • Policies to promote cycling • 10% modal share target • NCN: 2,000 km network • connecting towns of • 10,000+ • Users: • Commuters • Leisure cyclists • Cycle tourists Mullingar Athlone Galway Dublin Limerick Waterford Cork

5. Research Questions • What factors affect the path a cycle route should take? • How do we ensure an economic, safe and environmental design? • How do we maximise usage? • Which factors are positive, which are negative?

6. Highway Constraints • Constraint: • Any engineering, environmental, economic or legislative factor affecting route selection • Classified as natural, artificial, external parameters

7. Methodology

8. Route Facilitators • Existing cycle infrastructure • Railways • (particularly disused and abandoned) • Canal towpaths • Riverside and lakeside paths • Forest paths • Bogland, railways and paths • Paths through parks and other state lands • Roads (particularly low-trafficked local roads)

9. Classification of Factors *Recorded Monuments & Places

10. Natural Factors: Forests

11. Natural Factors: Bogs

12. Natural Factors: Water bodies

13. Natural Factors: Designated Sites

14. Artificial Factors: Population

15. Artificial Factors: Roads Consider first Consider last Traffic volume reduction Traffic speed reduction Junction treatment, hazard site treatment, traffic management Reallocation of carriageway space Cycle tracks away from roads Conversion of footways/footpaths to shared use for pedestrians and cyclists

16. Artificial Factors: Railways Westport to Achill

17. External Parameters • Cost-Benefit Analyses: • Costs – construction, maintenance • Benefits – health, absenteeism, tourism • Policy: • European – designated sites • National – transport policy • Regional & Local plans

18. Case Study: Mullingar-Galway • Part of Dublin-Clifden corridor (black) • Study Area (red)

19. Case Study: Mullingar-Galway Natural Factors Artificial Factors

20. Case Study: Mullingar-Galway Táin trail on local roads Táin trail on local roads Lough Ree Disused railway Commuter Routes Canals Active railway Tourist Route River Shannon Clonmacnoise Large settlements

21. Conclusion • New cycling infrastructure, especially greenways, is required in Ireland • To maximise usage and benefits, a thorough route selection process is required • This paper lists and classifies the factors that should be considered in route selection • Use of technology and online resources • Developing a broader toolkit for cycle route design: CRAM

22. Cycling Route Appraisal Matrix A tool for cycling route selection & design 6 elements Deliver value for money without compromising safety or the environment

23. Acknowledgement This research was commissioned through the National Roads Authority Research Programme and is funded by the National Sustainable Transport Office at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Contact: r.manton1@nuigalway.ie eoghan.clifford@nuigalway.ie ryaninstitute.ie/research nuigalway.ie/civileng/research.html nuigalway.ie/civileng/facilities.html