Greater Dublin Area Draft Transport Strategy 2011-2030

International gateways and speciality land usesIn the GDA there are two international gateways,namely Dublin Airport and Dublin Port. The roleand function of these facilities is of critical nationalimportance, and the management of transport toand from these locations needs to be considered ata regional level to ensure their efficient operation.Both the Port and Airport have a key role in freightmovement, and the role of HGV movement to andfrom these sites must be reflected in the planningof the local and strategic road network.Dublin Airport is a major trip attractor, both interms of incoming and outgoing passengers, butalso as a significant employment centre. Publictransport must be the primary focus for themovement of visitors and employees to and fromDublin airport.The GDA has a number of nationally importanthospitals (including, for example, the NationalChildren’s Hospital, the National MaternityHospital, Mater and Beaumont) and educationalinstitutions (including for example Trinity College,UCD, Maynooth, DCU and DIT) These are locationsthat attract a large number of visitors, students andemployees. It is important that movement withintheir local catchments is catered for by prioritisingwalking and cycling, while also considering theirnational role which will require access by publictransport and by private car. The management ofthese sites should be covered by comprehensiveTravel Plans.There are a number of specific locations in the GDAwhich play host to major sporting, musical andcultural events (such as Croke Park and LansdowneRoad stadia, RDS, National Convention Centre)These venues require special consideration interms of transport planning, as the travel patternsof visitors tend to be concentrated into a veryconfined time period and can vary widely in origin.Although the transport system is not designed topermanently cater for such events, it is importantthat the Strategy makes provision for the safeand efficient management of the transportrequirements of these venues. A transportmanagement plan should be agreed betweenthe local authority, Gardaí and event organisersto ensure that visitors and local residents/businesses are optimally catered for. The transportmanagement plan should prioritise the movementof pedestrians and public transport, whilst alsoconsidering private car transport in terms ofparking and traffic management.8.5 Parking supplyThe supply and management of parking ata destination is a key mechanism by whichdevelopment can be encouraged to locate inthe most appropriate areas from a sustainabletransport point of view. The application ofmaximum parking standards (i.e. the maximumnumber of parking spaces that a developercan provide) is central to the management oftransport demand. It has a critical influence onmode choice for all journey purposes. It also has acritical influence on congestion, the design of newdevelopments, and the allocation and design ofspace in urban areas. The Authority considers theapplication of maximum parking standards at aregion-wide level to be a key measure in addressingthese issues in an equitable and structured fashion.The use of floorspace thresholds above which thestandards only apply, enables flexibility for smallmediumscale developments – particularly thosethat generate local employment – to occur in areaswhich are not as well served by public transportand not as accessible by walking and cycling. Thesestandards are a positive measure to promoteproper and sustainable development in the rightlocations.The level at which maximum standards are set isof great importance. Where they exist, maximumstandards are usually applied with varying degreesof constraint, on the basis of defined locationalfactors such as centrality and public transportaccessibility. Related to these attributes, theapplication of parking standards would normallyvary inversely with density. The introduction ofmaximum standards at a region-wide level wouldrepresent a key transport demand managementmeasure for the GDA, of particular importance ininfluencing mode choice to office, retail, educationand some leisure uses.Chapter 8: page 12 www.2030vision.ie