A number of measures designed to improve the efficiency and availability of public transport have been or are in the process of being implemented. These improvements will make public transport more attractive and encourage people to leave their cars at home, thus reducing traffic volume.
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The LUAS is contributing to reduced traffic volumes. In 2018, LUAS lines carried over 41 million passengers (Fig. 30.6).
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The introduction of an integrated ticketing scheme called Leap Card in 2011 allows users to move between Dublin Bus, DART and LUAS services.
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Quality Bus Corridors have improved journey times, making bus transport more attractive.
A proposed overhaul of Dublin Bus routes will introduce more orbital routes travelling between suburbs, while Busconnects Dublin 2018 proposes building a network of new bus corridors on the busiest routes to make bus journeys faster and more reliable.
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The growth of the Dublin Bike Scheme and an active programme of cycle path construction will encourage greater use of this environmentally friendly transport method (Fig. 30.7).
Fig. 30.6 A LUAS tram.
Fig. 30.7 The Dublin Bike Scheme.
The Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2016–2035 will inform transport planning into the future. Among its provisions are:
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new overground rail link: a train link from Sandyford to Swords, connecting Dublin Airport to the city centre;
extending the LUAS: bringing the tram lines out to Bray, Finglas and Poolbeg. CHECK YOUR LEARNING
1. Explain four causes of traffic congestion in Dublin. 2. Describe three strategies to solve this problem.
EXAM LINK (OL)
Traffic in Urban Areas (40 marks) (i) Name one city where traffic congestion is a problem. (ii) Explain the reasons why traffic congestion occurs in this city. (iii) Describe one solution to traffic congestion. 2015, Q11B
522
Marking Scheme: City named = 4 marks
Explanation = 9 SRPs × 3 marks One solution described = 3 SRPs × 3 marks
