NRA funding two research projects into Cycling routes

L'Enfer du Nord

Came across these two reseach projects

NUI - http://www.nra.ie/Research/ProjectProfiles/file,17811,en.pdf

TCD - http://www.nra.ie/Research/ProjectProfiles/file,17812,en.pdf

The research undertaken by NUIG in conjunction with the NRA will focus on the route selection, and the design, maintenance, operation and cost of a proposed cycling network between Galway and Clifden.The work will be completed over a two year period. A graduate student will be appointed to complete the work. The graduate will work for a period of approximately 6 to 9 months at the NRA regional office in Roscommon at the route selection, pavement selection and costing phases of the study. The project will focus on route selection, construction material, and maintenance and operation strategies for cyclepaths.

The outputs of the project include:
1. Route selection report
2. Outline construction specification and construction programme
3. Literature review of international best practice
4. Final project report

Note item 3., something which seems to be entirely absent from the work of who ever 'designed' if thats the word - most of the existing cycle infrasctructure. I think these research project are a good sign that this network might actually hapen and be quite well designed.

Cookie_Monster

why exactly are the NRA funding this considering they are responsible for roads not off road infrastructure?

Pigeon Reaper

I know in other european countries roads can also be defined as linking urban centres for non motorised traffic.

Cookie_Monster

Pigeon Reaper wrote: »

I know in other european countries roads can also be defined as linking urban centres for non motorised traffic.

Still should be down to the councils as the NRA only look after national roads, not local ones. So unless it's going to be a cycleway from Dublin To Galway etc it's not really within their remit at all

Harrybelafonte

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Still should be down to the councils as the NRA only look after national roads, not local ones. So unless it's going to be a cycleway from Dublin To Galway etc it's not really within their remit at all

I don't get your animosity to the idea? Plus they deal with roads on every level. They're in charge of the construction of the Monaghan Town by-pass for example.

studiorat

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

why exactly are the NRA funding this considering they are responsible for roads not off road infrastructure?

If it was at a County Council level, would there be 26 literature reviews of best practice?

manwithaplan

The NRA are responsible, under the Roads Act 1993, for funding the construction, improvement and maintenence of national roads (the ones whose numbers start with N or, in the case of motorways, M). They don't fund regional or local roads.

I think they are a bit more flexible in what they fund from a research perspective. If they see that research has an ultimate transferability or benefit to national road design, materials etc., they can probably fund it even if it doesn't relate to a national road project.

Doctor Bob

manwithaplan wrote: »

The NRA are responsible, under the Roads Act 1993, for funding the construction, improvement and maintenence of national roads (the ones whose numbers start with N or, in the case of motorways, M). They don't fund regional or local roads.

I think they've also retained some kind of responsibility for former National roads which were downgraded to Regional status after new N/M roads were built in the vicinity.