COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, January 12, 2009
MOTION NO. 2
MOTION: Councillor J. Lahart
That the Council agrees on a policy of naming roundabouts in the County for ease of reference for motorists and commuters and visitors to each area.
REPORT:
The possibility of naming Landmark Roundabouts/Junctions has been under consideration, by the Roads Dept., for some time, with regard to putting forward proposals for the members to consider. It should be borne in mind that there are a number of intertwining issues, not least legal and safety issues, that need to be examined in depth, to ensure a successful outcome. In this regard, the following interim report has been prepared for discussion, following which, it is hoped to put forward a more comprehensive proposal to the next meeting of the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee.
Background :-
Management of traffic, utilising direction signage is laid down in the Traffic Signs Manual as published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The traffic signs manual stipulates the method for design and content of direction signs for National, Regional and Local roads. The system of signage is established to provide clear direction, between origin and destination, as far as is prudently possible. It is important that clear information is imparted, as, obviously,, only a limited number of locations can be included, on any sign, or within any signage scheme.
In order to assist drivers as they approach their own unique destination it is desirable that locations, or significant intersections, are appropriately identified. A system of road name signs usually provides suitable location identification. However, in certain circumstances the road name signs can be too distant and existing directional signage is unable to include sufficient local information, without compromising safety. In this case location, or landmark signs, could be appropriate, to augment existing directional signage.
As a method of assisting motorists navigate, and interpret directional signage, it is desirable that clear information be imparted, to the long-distance driver, on more distant destinations but also to the person who has almost arrived at their destination, on their exact, current location, and adjacent local areas and landmarks. The designer of the signage should strive to ensure that, all commuter types, should be catered for locally, and should be in a position to traverse each signage cell as painlessly and efficiently as possible.
Any proposed system, to provide landmark signage, should include the following:
· A roundabout or junction should be assessed to ascertain the benefit to motorists of including extra landmark signage in the design. For instance, if the existing directional signs, on approach, only cater for more distant locations, or if adequate local road name signs are also in place, and suffice to appraise local commuters of more immediate possible destinations.
· Any possible disadvantages, of installing landmark signage, must also be thoroughly assessed. For instance, signs could not be provided, if the additional signage could pose a distraction to drivers, or otherwise constitute a safety hazard such as lack of adequate sight distance etc.
· At all times landmark signage must conform to the current Traffic Signs Manual.
Where it is proposed to provide landmark signage the appropriate name must first be investigated. Under the Public Bodies Order 1946 (S.I.No.273/1946) each Local Authority is required to keep a Road Schedule of Roads in its Charge. In February 1952, Dublin County Council published its Road Schedule containing the list of roads in its charge and describing each road by way of descriptive text. This schedule includes the names of many junctions.
Several significant junctions, in the administrative area of South Dublin County Council, such as the Spawell Roundabout, have retained their names to this day and would possibly be the type of place where a pilot project could be initiated. Other locations, where names have fallen out of use, in recent times, could also be re-assessed as to whether the old name, or possibly a more suitable, or relevant new name, could be put forward for consideration.
It should be noted at this juncture that any alteration of a junction name would require the same statutory process as changing the name of a road or street.
As outlined above, an effective method of landmark signage, to complement the existing direction signage, is recommended.
Proposal :-
It is proposed that distinctive landmark signage be installed at significant locations.
· A pilot scheme at a limited number of selected junctions across the county will be assessed.
· In order to get the widest perspective, various different types of junctions, cross roads, roundabouts and T junctions will be selected.
· Junctions shall be selected and signs provided in accordance with the criteria in this report
The junction’s performance and public feedback will be monitored in order to ascertain the added value the landmark signs and recommendation for further junctions signs can be progressed
Signs are to be considered for intersections, such as:-
1) Spawell Roundabout
2) Glenview Roundabout
3) Nangor Road, Ninth Lock
4) Crumlin Cross
5) Walkinstown Cross
6) Monastery Road Woodford Hill
It should be noted that other landmark intersections, such as the Red Cow, Balrothery, Kingswood and other major Motorway and National Road Interchanges etc., could also be considered, but approval from the NRA would have to be sought, and agreed, for such signage, prior to implementation.
It should also be noted, while the council will endeavour to advise the relevant mapping organisations to the proposed name of any particular junction or roundabout. It cannot be guaranteed, however, that the name will be included on general mapping.