Sport Ireland Campus Area-Based Transport Assessment
Client: Sport Ireland
Duration: January 2022 to December 2023
Project Summary
Transport Insights was commissioned by Sport Ireland (SI) to undertake an Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA) for the SI Campus, in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The primary purpose of the ABTA was to accommodate the future transportation and mobility needs of the SI Campus, considering transport demand arising from both current and anticipated developments outlined in the Campus Masterplan, and within the context of the Campus’ broader area of influence.
The Campus ABTA development has followed the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)/ National Transport Authority (NTA) Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA) Guidance Notes, in addition to the NTA’s ABTA How To Guide Pilot Methodology.
In undertaking the ABTA, Transport Insights developed a SATURN-based strategic model using the NTA’s East Regional Model (ERM) as the starting point. The model covered the adjoining local, regional and national road networks, the latter of which were of particular interest given the Campus’ location with respect to the M50, N3 and N2. Key modelling activities included: trip generation estimation; determination of event-day trip distribution patterns to/ from the Campus; assessing the capability of the existing and future public transport network in accommodating non-event and event-day transport demand; developing options to support forecast travel demand and achievement of mode share targets; and multi-modal impact assessment of potential interventions.
Added Value Brought to Project
Transport Insights deployed its extensive expertise in the field of transport modelling, with different levels of the modelling hierarchy, including both the NTA’s Regional Modelling System and strategic modelling, utilised. ABTA recommendations comprised an integrated package of interventions to meet the Campus’ future non-event and event-day transport needs, the latter off which includes sporting facilities of up to 20,000 spectator capacity.
The ABTA process concluded in December 2023 and is guiding advancement of key development proposals within the Campus, including the National Cricket Centre (with ca. 4,240 permanent/ 12,000 temporary spectator seating capacity), a planning decision for which is currently pending.
background image: Sport Ireland
