COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
HEADED ITEM NO. 7
SCHOOLTIME TRAFFIC NEWCASTLE ROAD
There are several aspects arising from the use of Newcastle Road by HGV traffic in and around school times. In order to best appreciate the scope of the problem data on the traffic using the Newcastle Road has been gathered. A traffic classification (vehicle type) 12 hour count has been carried out. The survey was carried out on a Thursday to quantify HGV traffic and the HGV traffic as a portion of all traffic on Newcastle Road. The date of the survey was Thursday 29th March. Traffic was counted south of Hillcrest junction between 7am and 7pm. The report classifies traffic into Light Vehicles (LV), Heavy Vehicles (HV), large Public Service Vehicles (PSV) and peddle cycles (PC). Each is reported in 15 minute segments and totalled for each hour. The survey classified a goods vehicle larger than a small van as a Heavy Vehicle.
In summary the following was observed.
During the 12 hour period 15,973 vehicles were observed this included 523 classed as heavy vehicles representing 3.3% of total traffic. The busiest time for HGV traffic is before 8am (4.1% of all traffic) and between 11am and 1pm (4% to 5.6% of all traffic). The quietest time for HGV traffic in between 8am and 9am (2.2% of all traffic) and after 4pm (2.3% or less, of all traffic). During the busiest hours 48 to 66 HGV’s were observed averaging at about one HGV per minute. During the quietest hours 21 to 33 HGV’s were observed averaging at about one HGV every two minutes. With specific interest in the hour ending at 9am the survey recorded 2.2% heavy vehicles and 97.8% other vehicles.
In response to the survey it is noted that any safety effort should be focused across all traffic. In recent years effort has been put into increasing awareness of vulnerable road users on approach to the schools on Newcastle Road. It is acknowledged that very large vehicles are of significant concern locally. Not withstanding the fact that the contents of the traffic count survey indicate the quietest time for HGV traffic during the morning is between 8am and 9am, consideration should still be given on how best to direct, using appropriate legal powers, the largest heavy vehicles away from using Newcastle Road at times when greatest numbers of vulnerable road users are accessing schools. It is also reasonable to permit vehicles associated with serving local needs to continue to utilise to Newcastle Road and that any restriction be consistent and be installed in order to have maximum efficacy. With this in mind it is proposed to progress the issue of HGV management with the sub committee of the joint Economic Development and Transportation SPC.
The traffic count survey report is circulated herewith.