COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 76

MOTION: Councillor M. Johansson

That, considering that projections in the Traffic Assessment were based on a review of existing transport behaviour based on 2012 travel data extracted from the Eastern Regional Model and that this data may not necessarily reflect current behaviour in 2017 due to the significant increase in employment since that time, A new review should be conducted, at earliest possible time, using the more recent 2016 census data and the scheme be updated to reflect the new projections.

REPORT:

Response

The best available modelling has been utilised under the Transport Assessment and Transport Strategy that accompanies the Draft Planning Scheme. It is acknowledged that traffic growth has occurred on the surrounding strategic road network in recent years and that the Transport Assessment and Transport Strategy should be validated with updated local traffic surveys.

The transport assessment methodology and traffic modelling that has been utilised complies with national standards. The National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Regional Modelling System is the most sophisticated modelling tool available for assessing complex multi modal movements within an urban context. The best available modelling has therefore been utilised.

All assessments have been undertaken for a forecast year of 2035. The projections were therefore not just based on 2012 data (CSO household travel survey), rather than a complex set of data that includes future travel demand. This analysis also includes data in relation to future population projections, employment levels, car ownership and car availability. It is projected that traffic generated by Clonburris will contribute to less than 1% of the overall traffic on the strategic road network in the AM peak period.

Within the context of the motion’s suggestion that 2012 data was extracted from the Regional Modelling System, the NTA’s Eastern Regional Model (ERM) was fully utilised to help assess the traffic and transport impacts of the Clonburris SDZ and its proposed transport strategy including all datasets. Whilst it is a planned task for the NTA to update the ERM with 2016 Census data, this is outside the control of the Draft Planning Scheme..

More up to date traffic data was used to help inform the ERM for the purposes of junction modelling as part of the Transport Assessment and Transport Strategy. It is acknowledged that traffic growth has occurred on the surrounding strategic road network in recent years. It is therefore accepted that, where necessary, more up to date local traffic surveys should be utilised to inform junction upgrades/proposals in advance of detailed design stage.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment:

Where necessary, carry out more up to date local traffic surveys and utilise such to inform junction upgrades/proposals in advance of detailed design stage.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No likely significant effects on European sites within the SDZ’s zone of influence are predicted.