Funding for Smarter Travel cycling projects

2610907483_8533156059_mThe Department of Transport has outlined a full list of demonstration Smarter Travel projects, which it will fund or part fund. The cycling-related projects in the Dublin area are listed below in bold.

A total of 121 applications were received and funding is being made available for 30 of these projects. The fund is €15m fund over 5 years, €3m of which will be made available to the successful projects in 2010, including the below projects.

The department says, “The Minister set up this fund to support innovative sustainable travel projects and kick start delivery of the Smarter Travel agenda at a local level.”

Annex

Dublin cycling-related projects listed in bold, list also includes other national cycling and non-cycling projects. Some projects have been announced before:

Applicant Project Name County Project proposal summary Agreed proposed funding (€)
UCC Campus bike Cork This is an 18 month project aimed at providing UCC members of staff with easy access to a fleet of (rental) bicycles, for travel between campus locations and places within the city, during the day.

€19,750

Cork City Council Cork walks development Cork This scheme involves the installation of three city wide colour coded walking trails that can be used by tourists and natives alike, irrespective of mobility needs. One walk per year over a three year period will be developed. This project will promote walking as an active travel mode, and also provide a tourist amenity.

€150,000

Cork City Council 30kph zone Cork A 30 kph speed zone is proposed for the City Centre.  It is proposed that the zone will cover select areas of the island in the City Centre and it is designed to improve walking and cycling comfort and safety in the area. Subsequent to the implementation of the 30 kph zone, assessments will be carried out on the feasibility of removing traffic signals at some junctions to avail of the reduced traffic speeds and traffic calming effects and therefore further developing the shared space concept. This will encourage a shift to walking and cycling with the core area of the City.

€45,000

Dublin Cycling Campaign Bikeability map of Dublin City Dublin This study will prepare a business plan (scope of work, costs, resources, and timescale) for funding and producing an online ‘Bikeability’ map of Dublin city centre. This map will consist primarily of an overlay, generated from a database of roads and streets, on Ordnance Survey Ireland or other mapping information. The overlay information will show not only cycle facilities (lanes, bike shops, parking), but also the ‘bikeability’ of each street/road. The structure of this work should be readily transferable to other cities and towns.

€12,000

James Leahy Now what? Remaking the modern suburb Dublin Now What Remaking is an 18 month project that will address existing Irish suburban areas and show how they can be retrofitted to provide a coherent permeable public realm which will promote walking, cycling and access to public transport. This will be a case study type project, with Balbriggan being the area chosen. Large scale rebuilding will not be considered rather small-scale local incremental interventions will be the focus. Therefore community involvement will be the key issue. Wider issues with areas will also be considered to develop case studies of how transport and community issues can be addressed in a holistic manner.

€14,000

Eircom Integrating electric vehicles into commercial fleet Dublin This is a 2½ year pilot project to support the deployment of electric vehicles in Eircom’s commerical fleet, and the provision of fast charging facilities in some Topaz garages. Initially, the pilot will concentrate on a strategic urban area in Dublin where Topaz will provide charging bays for Eircom and other commercial vehicles. This long term project will progress incrementally with Eircom and Topaz, in conjunction with The Ecology Foundation undertaking a detailed research and planning exercise. The project will provide Irish fleet and transport managers with key information to assist them in making the right decisions on deployment of EV in their fleets. Sustainable Energy Agency of Ireland have also been involved in the development of the project details.

€529,600

DLRCC Cycleability review DLR This 9 month project will audit and classify roads within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown by the cyclist skill level required to use them safely. The information gathered from these assessments will be used to (i) Identify barriers to cycling and accessibility (ii) Identify areas where improving cycling infrastructure will have the greatest benefit (iii)  Produce a set of costed (construction costs only) draft designs for the 10 schemes with the highest priority (as per brief) (iv) Enable the targeting of child cycle training to schools where improved skills are most needed within their catchments areas (v) Form the basis of  maps / guides for local cycle users to facilitate planning of journeys based on their skill level. The framework for this project will be widely transferable to other areas, and the work will also be of benefit for prioritising future cycling infrastructure development in DLRCC area.

€60,000

DLRCC Staff Training DLR Project to provide staff training on road user auditing and specifically on identifying needs of more sustainable transport modes including public transport, pedestrians, cyclists and motor cyclists.

€4,500

DLRCC The Metals Dun Laoghaire to Dalkey DLR This project is based around improving the facilities of The Metals walkway, which links Dún Laoghaire town to Dalkey along the Dart Line and to integrate with key Dart station nodes. These improvements include (i) Upgrading the crossing points along the route· Improved signing and lining (ii) Junction treatments at each of the junctions along the length of The Metals (iii) Cycle parking at key locations along the length of the walkway· Installation of a Toucan crossing. The project will support cycling and walking for both commuting and recreational purposes.

€203,000

Dublin City Council Sustainable Goods Delivery Dublin The project aims to explore the feasibility of alternative goods and service delivery mechanisms in the city centre, including by cycle and the potential use of LUAS rail infrastructure for night time city centre goods delivery, which could interface with cycle “final mile” on-street.  It will examine, amongst other things (i) need for breakdown facilities (ii) potential for use of the LUAS (iii) conventional goods interface with cycles. Recommendations on an implementation programme reflecting economics, sustainability, feasibility and cost will be provided. The study will develop a recommended pilot scheme that could demonstrate the concept on the ground.

€170,000

Fingal Co. Co. Skerries Balbriggan cycle route Fingal This project, which will take place over 3 years, proposes to develop and upgrade cycle and walking routes in the Skerries and Balbriggan areas. Specific areas for development are identified, Skerries Mills-Barnageeragh, Barnageeragh-Ballbrigan Strand St, and local roads in the Ballbriggan-Balrothery-Ardgillan-Milverton-Skerries circulation routes. Cycling training in schools will be ramped up, and a road/route user audit will be carried out both at the commencement and at the end of project delivery. The coastal sections of the project will contribute to the Bray-Balbriggan vision.

€757,000

Dept of Economics NUI Galway Galway-Moycullen greenway feasiblity study Galway This ten month project will examine the feasibility of transforming the Galway-Moycullen section of the disused Galway – Clifden railway line into a greenway suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities. The process of acquiring this long disused rail corridor and transforming it into a trail requires multiple stages of groundwork, from conducting corridor research to determine who now owns the rights-of way, to figuring the cost, or value, of the corridor, making a preliminary decision on feasibility, to securing financing or funding options for trail development and maintenance.

€33,000

Galway Cycling Campaign Image of cycling in Galway Galway This project aims to implement a specific objective of the National Cycle Policy Framework on the ground, by improving the image of cycling and promoting cycling using “soft interventions”. Aspects of the project will include promotional campaigns, events, and a cycling based calendar.

€28,600

Galway County Council Integrated walking and cycling strategy Galway This project seeks to develop & deliver an accessible, integrated walking and cycling strategy for County Galway. This is a three year project which will occur on a phased basis with the initial phase being the development of an integrated county wide accessible integrated walking and cycling strategy for County Galway. Following this there will be a focus on improvement & provision of walking and cycling infrastructure in some pilot areas of Galway County.

€703,000

Galway Chamber of commerce Cycle parking fund Galway This project aims to provide cycle parking for Galway City, consistent with the National Cycle Policy Framework target of 10% of commuters cycling to work.  The object of this proposal is to achieve this minimum level of provision and eventually build on in it to match the levels of cycle parking provision found in acknowledged cycling cities such as Munster, Freiburg, Oxford and Cambridge. The work will be carried out over a three year period and the level of take up will be monitored throughout the project. The project has support from both Galway City Council, and the Galway Cycling Campaign, and the outputs could be widely transferable.

€406,000

Galway Chamber of commerce Workplace cycle champions Galway This project aims to improve the image of cycling as a mode for commuting, by creating fifty “Cycling Champions” in Galway businesses over 3 years.  Each champion will receive training from qualified cycling instructors and will be provided with literature on cycling skills and cycling maps for Galway city and county. The champions will then act as mentors for colleagues who wish to cycle to work but need advice and encouragement. The project complements other Galway cycling projects, and again is widely transferable if proven successful.

€8,250

Dingle cycling club Promotion of cycling Kerry This small project aims to support a voluntary cycling group in the Dingle area which will promote (1) regular Saturday cycles, (2) group midweek commutes into Dingle for workers and students and (3) periodic larger cycles around the peninsula. Regular events such as “bike trains” into Dingle will encourage commuting by bicycle.

€10,000

Kerry Bicycle Festival 2 week festival Kerry The Kerry Bicycle Festival (KBF) brings together a selection of diverse events which celebrate the bicycle. It aims to raise the profile of cycling culture in Kerry making it more accessible and attractive. The festival will include a public forum on commuting by bicycle, a family cycle for new cyclists, as well as artistic and film events promoting cycling.

€10,000

Laois Sports Partnership Ltd Laois Smarter Travel project Laois This 2 year project aims to increase active commuting across three settings in County Laois: Workplace, Community and School.  The workplace project will promote carpooling through the Tripmi website and promote cycling during the working day to meetings and at lunch time.  The school programme will involve working with one secondary school and two primary schools to support/ implement their  Green School Travel Plan. The Community project will involve developing a shared transport initiative for community activities particularly in disadvantaged areas.  A wide range of groups will be involved in the project which promote both the transport and health benefits of Smarter Travel

€13,000

Leitrim Co Co Cycleways and Walkways Carrick-on-Shannon Leitrim This project is based around the provision of cycle and pedestrian paths throughout Carrick on Shannon together with bicycle parks. The intention is to reduce the level of car dependency, in the town, and within outlying areas. This project will promote the opportunities for different forms of non-motorised transport to be utilised with the additional cycle lanes and additional safer pedestrian facilities being provided. In addition suitable bicycle parking facilities will be provided which will be located at strategic locations in the town centre. The project will promote walking and cycling as transport modes, as a tourist attraction and in terms of the positive impacts on people’s health.

€775,000

Longford sports partnership Cycle safe post primary Longford Working in conjunction with An Taisce, HSE, Longford County Council and schools in Co. Longford. Longford Sports Partnership will pilot an adapted Cyclesafe project amongst Transition Year students in the 4 secondary schools registered with the Green Schools programme and 8 primary schools. Modules will include cycle safety, bicycle handling skills, bike health checks etc. The programme builds on previous safe cycling work piloted in 3 Longford primary schools. The project will provide outputs that will assist in developing cycling training schemes, which are a specific objective of the National Cycle Policy Framework.

€6,400

Dundalk town council Walking and cycling to schools Louth This 3 year project will deliver an integrated approach to converting students to walking & cycling to schools. The project will include targeting routes for improvements to walking & cycling infrastructure, improvements at access points, provision of safe crossing points, signage, markings and traffic calming measures on near approaches to schools.  Alongside this the provision of training for students & parents in cycling & walking to school, workshops, information sessions, demonstrations etc. There will also be promotional material, advertising etc; provision of web page linked to local authority & schools’ web sites. The overall aim of the project is to achieve a culture shift away from the car being the mode of first choice.

€805,000

Iompair Mhaigh Eo Mayo, a Smarter Travel County Mayo This is a 1 year project that aims to improve the quality and accessibility to sustainable transport information in Mayo, and also to carry out research into potential interventions that will result is modal shift in Mayo. A Sustainable Transport Mayo booklet & website will be created providing info on cycle routes, timetables, benefits, safety, directory of services etc as well as an interactive service allowing locals to organise car sharing/ car pooling. Research will also be carried out on the Castlebar-Westport route in terms of potential for more sustainable transport patterns along this route. The co-operation of a number of partners will facilitate this project; Westport Town Council, Mayo County Council, and the local Green Schools organisation.

€26,300

Meath Co. Co. Stamullen Cycle lane Meath This project is based around a short feasiblity study for the development of a best practice safe route from Stamullen to and from Gormanstown College (which has over 600 students) and which will potentially extend to a newly built shopping centre and also potentially provide a linkeage to the Gormanstown train station. The route has the potential to link major trip generating areas with a high quality cycle and walking route.

€10,000

Meath local sports partnership SmarterTravel meath Meath This is a 3 year community based project which will involve developing a shared transport initiative for community activities highlighting in particular disadvantaged areas and areas of high population density. Project will also target workplaces, communities and schools. The initial work will involve auditing and recording current travel habits of those accessing the target areas, to include the origin of journey. Carpooling, park and cycle, park and ride facilities will all be piloted as part of this project based on the needs of those travelling. Schools will be supported to implement the Green School Travel Plan with walking buses and cycle trains introduced. 5 primary schools and 2 secondary schools will be targeted over the life of the project. The project will aim to install one bike shelter with bike parking facilities in one of the target groups per year of project. Programmes such as the Cycle safe & walking education, health promotion will be delivered to communities, workplaces, primary and second

€28,000

Roscommon Community For a Access to information and services Roscommon This 2 year project involves two complementary strands. Firstly it seeks to provide a primarily web based information service aimed at the travelling public in Co Roscommon which will disseminate user-friendly information on existing transport service and information that will promote the adoption of more sustainable travel approaches & methods including improved service facilities, better integration of local services,  mobility/travel planning, RTP usage, car sharing, cycling, walking and home working. Secondly the actions above will be supported through Fora’s engagement/advocacy with other key stakeholders on local decision making bodies i.e. County Transport Forum, Roscommon County Development Board, Strategic Policy Committees of RCC, Roscommon Integrated Development Companies, and Rural Transport Programme providers.

€14,500

Sligo County Council Modal shift visible approach Sligo This project will provide 8 bicycle parking facilities including signage at public car parks or public spaces to facilitate key institutional, recreational, retail, cultural and educational facilities install bicycle parking facilities including signage at the 12 Local Authority owned or operated buildings and facilities. Bicycles for staff use between buildings and for trips within Sligo City will also be provided. There will be a P.R campaign to launch the scheme in the L.A. and within Sligo as a whole. Monitoring of usage will occur throughout this project.

€39,000

Tipperary Energy Agency Eco-driving in local authority fleets Tipperary This project consists of a 1 year eco-driving program for 40 local authority drivers in North Tipperary County Council and South Tipperary County Council. The objective is to reduce GHG emissions, diesel costs and stress for the drivers. Each vehicle driven in the new driving style has the potential to reduced GHG emissions by more than 5%. Current spend on Local Authority fleet diesel is €100,000 for North Tipperary and €140,250 for South Tipperary, and so this project has the potential to be extremely cost effective. The project could act as a template for nationwide roll out and provide metrics for more accurate estimates of emissions savings from such a scheme being carried out on a nationwide basis.

€22,500

Tipperary institute Pro.motion plus Tipperary This 1 year project focuses on the use of sustainable transport modes by people in rural residential areas. Pro.Motion Plus will carry out surveys amongst local inhabitants in Cloughjordan, provide training for trainers on local area and personalised travel planning, undertake such travel planning with residents in Cloughjordan and other selected communities in North Tipperary, develop a combined electronic cost and carbon calculator and prepare local travel information leaflets and personal travel plans for the selected communities and residents. The project aims to address the specific challenges that face Ireland in terms of developing sustainable rural transport.

€41,500

Westmeath County Council Active Travel Mullingar Westmeath This 3-year project will further develop the canal towpath and waterways in and around Mullingar town to encourage walking and cycling within and around the town. The project will be piloted in the first year selecting the Delvin road access artery to the town. The project will implement both hard and soft measures in achieving its goals such as (i) upgrading of the canal towpath (ii) provision of high quality access links from the canal towpath to strategic points within the town (iii) the installation of bike shelters and bike parking facilities at strategic points including at primary and secondary schools (iv) cyclesafe & walking education within communities, primary schools and secondary schools, and (v) website based information regarding, best route, bike maintenance information, best practice for road users etc. Subsequent to the evaluation of the pilot project it is proposed to roll out the same scheme with learned improvements on a further two main arteries into Mullingar.

€247,000

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