TRANSPORTATION IN DUBLIN - AN OVERVIEW
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
Key Characteristics of Transport in Ireland
An analysis of the deficiencies of Ireland's internal and access transport system has to take account of the following factors
-Ireland's peripheral island location without a land link to the rest of Europe and with a total reliance on sea and air travel for access to mainland Europe and other Markets
-The small and open nature of the economy, with merchandise imports and exports together accounting for 137% GNP
-The dispersed nature of population and economic activity
-The importance of inward investment and natural resource-based economic activity to the development of the economy and the creation of employment
The Irish Transport System has the key following features:
-The internal transport system is underdeveloped and generally of poor quality
-Roads are the dominant mode of internal transport accounting for 89% of freight traffic and 96% of passenger traffic.
Rail accounts for virtually all of the balance, with a higher relative share on the main roads/ rail corridors, amounting to 24% of end-to-end journeys in the passenger market in which rail competes and with higher shares on some corridors.
-A review of long-term development needs for road network estimated total investment requirements over a 20 year period of nearly 13 billion, of which 4 billion related to strategic national primary roads.
-Past financial investment have led to significant underinvestment in the railways, with most of its assets and infrastructure now beyond normal life expectancy. Significant investment is required for rail development.
-Because of Ireland's peripheral location, sea and air routes fulfil the same role for Ireland as cross-frontier transport links in Europe. Cost effective sea & air transport supported by the necessary infrastructure are crucial for sustainable economic growth and employment creation
-Sea is the dominant mode of...