AECOM was commissioned by the Irish Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) to undertake an evaluation of the Smarter Travel Areas (STAs) Pilot Programme – the largest transport evaluation project of its kind to date in Ireland.
The purpose of the evaluation was to measure the impact of almost €25million investment in sustainable transport infrastructure and behavioural change measures in Dungarvan, Limerick and Westport. Measures delivered across the five-year period included cycle network development and safety improvements to walking and cycling routes, public realm improvements, behaviour change programmes in schools and workplaces and campaigns promoting sustainable travel.
The evaluation, completed in 2018, measured the level of modal shift achieved in each STA and attributed this change to specific measures in the STAs. The value of wider impacts of the pilot programme were also assessed and a cost benefit ratio for the overall programme was developed.
The evaluation report provides a valuable resource to all local authorities as it outlines the measures which are likely to provide best value for money (in terms of modal shift impacts) and also outlines the lessons learnt from delivery of the pilot programme.
AECOM completed a comprehensive programme of both qualitative and quantitative research to inform the evaluation over a five-year period.
View the final report (gov.ie)
Key transport planning services
Programme evaluation, qualitative research, quantitative research, economic evaluation