Congestion reduction targeted in new National Demand Management Strategy
The reduction of congestion, improvement of air quality, and provision of more and safer space for public and active transport will take precedence in the development of the National Demand Management Strategy, a Memorandum of Information from Minister Eamon Ryan TD has outlined.
The formulation of the National Demand Strategy, which is named as a key action within Climate Action Plan 2023, is expected to take one year to complete and 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”. The main goal of the strategy is a 20 per cent reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled by 2030, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan.
Demand management measures being considered for the development of the strategy include the reallocation of road space, the creation of car-free zones, and road user charging. The Government states that it “fully recognises” that these measures “will only be effective and equitable when alternative, public transport options are readily available, both in urban and rural areas”.
In his memorandum to the Government, Minister for Transport Ryan outlined his intention to establish an inter-departmental and inter-agency group that will steer the development of the strategy. A cities-first approach will be taken towards the development of the strategy, meaning that the priority of the steering group will be reducing congestion in cities and towns first, with a number of sup-groups within the steering group to also be organised, including one that will consider the impact of the strategy on rural communities.
The Demand Management Strategy will be developed in the context of the Government’s drive to halve transport emissions by 2030, a process which will include the rolling out of incentives and investment to support the transition to electric vehicles in order to reach the goal of almost one million EVs on Irish
roads by 2030, increased penetration of biofuels in the fuel-mix, and “unprecedented” levels of funding in active and public transport.
Speaking after delivering his memorandum to the Government, Minister Ryan stated: “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.”
