THE majority of active travel schemes successfully maintain or enhance emergency service accessibility.
This was one of the learnings from a briefing for elected members of the Metropolitan District of Limerick on a new report concerning the cycling and walking infrastructure.
Facilitated by Limerick City and County Council’s Active Travel team, councillors received a briefing on the report, titled Integration of Active Travel Programme with Emergency Services – Integration and Impact Assessment Study, carried out by independent consultant Egis (formerly JB Barry and Partners).
The study was commissioned by the Council to understand and address any challenges that the new, segregated cycling and walking schemes might pose to the work of emergency services.
The report was based on a combination of design review, field analysis, traffic flow assessment, and consultation with key stakeholders, including An Garda Síochána, Limerick Fire and Rescue Service, Limerick Marine Search and Rescue and the HSE National Ambulance Service.
The key finding of the report determined that “the majority of active travel schemes successfully maintained or enhanced emergency service accessibility. The implemented designs…(which) effectively facilitated the movement of emergency vehicles by ensuring adequate carriageway widths and junction radii. Such design considerations not only supported emergency vehicle manoeuvrability but also enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety, contributing to broader community benefits.”
This study is the first of its kind in Ireland and will inform a wider national assessment. Findings have been shared with the National Transport Authority to guide future schemes.