2020 Vision for Athy - Entire Document - Kildare.ie

9.4 Traffic Modelling Outputs
Three future transport packages were tested against the preferred land use scenario using SATURN and MEPLAN
for the morning peak hour. Changes in traffic flows and modal shares are firstly judged against a Do Minimum
scenario, which includes for the construction of the Inner Relief Street and the implementation of revised traffic
flow systems on Duke Street and Leinster Street as detailed on Figure 9.5. This scenario also includes for the
development of a number of car parks on the periphery of the town centre as detailed in the traffic management
measures contained in Appendix A. However, the Do Minimum scenario contains no further significant
improvements to the town’s road network, or the construction of new footpaths/cycle links.
The second transport package includes all of the traffic measures contained in the Do minimum scenario and the
construction of the Southern Distributor Route as proposed in the 2000 Athy Development Plan. This option also
includes for the implementation of all measures identified in the traffic management measures and illustrated on
Figure 9.3.
The final transport package includes all of the transport measures contained in Appendix A as well as the
construction of an Outer Bypass to the south of Ardrew and Conneyburrow as detailed on Figure 9.5. Local access
routes are also proposed along the alignment of the Southern Distributor route. It is intended that the railway line
and the River Barrow sever this route, thereby avoiding the creation of an inner bypass of the town.
In keeping with the guiding principles of the study, sufficient employment lands have been identified to sustain the
future working population of the town. However, it is appreciated that a proportion of the future working
population will continue to commute to employment centres outside of the study area. It has therefore been
assumed that 20% of economically active adults will commute to jobs outside of the study area. This compares to
an out commuting figure of 50% at present. The provision for out commuting trips leaves a deficit of economically
active adults within the study area; therefore this shortfall has been accounted for by a corresponding volume in incommuting
trips.
Model Results and interpretation
In evaluating these scenarios from a transport perspective, two distinct data sets exist. The MEPLAN model
derives the modal choice for the various trip types (Work, Shopping, education and other) within the urban area of
the town.
The SATURN model provides statistics on the mechanised traffic on the study area road network. This includes
global information such as total travel times and average journey speeds as well as individual link flows on
sensitive routes. The full results of these MEPLAN and SATURN assessments are listed in Appendix B.
Do Minimum Scenario Assessment
The anticipated population growth, without complimentary traffic measures, would result in significant congestion
within the town centre. Table 9.3 below indicates the traffic flows on key routes within the town centre for the
present day and for the Do Minimum Scenario.
Athy IFPLUT Study 107 Final Report December 2004