Transport | Ensuring best practice and safety throughout the road, rail, and bus network

To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he and his Department continue to ensure best practice and safety throughout the road, rail and bus network; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) can confirm that monitoring of road safety is fulfilled through undertaking reactive and proactive interventions in accordance with TII’s statutory role as outlined in the European Directive on Road Infrastructure Safety Management (2019/1936) and enacting Irish Regulation S.I. No. 612/2021. TII’s role also includes implementing the Government Road Safety Strategy, where various high impact actions have been assigned to TII.

You may also be aware of TII’s enhancing Motorway Operation Services (eMOS) programme, which is seeing the phased introduction of variable speed limits and lane control signalling (Red X) on the M50. The eMOS initiative allows motorway control room operators to set the speed limits that are most appropriate to the prevailing traffic conditions at that time, using illuminated speed limit signs displayed on gantries over each traffic lane. The Red X functionality will facilitate the rapid deployment of lane closures, displaying a red ’X’ over the closed lane on the overhead illuminated gantry signage, to protect road users and emergency services during an incident on the route. This signalling will also be used to provide greater protection to motorway operatives when performing their duties on the motorway. The signs are currently in operation from J3 M1 to J9 Red Cow and the installation of signs on the remainder of the M50 is continuing with completion expected in the summer of 2023.

In relation to Luas services, Transdev Dublin Light Rail, who operate the Luas network on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, employ in the region of 50 security staff. These staff are involved in maintaining safety and security on the Luas, along with enforcing the Luas bye-laws. They do not perform policing duties but do liaise with An Garda Síochána regularly as part of their work.