Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2450. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement his Department and the National Transport Authority will have in reviewing the design manual for urban roads and streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33783/19]
View answerThe Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) is a joint publication by my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG). The manual has undergone a recent review, with the review being overseen by a Steering Committee of which the National Transport Authority is a member. Minor amendments have been made to various chapters of the 2013 Manual and 4 new Advice Notes have been provided.
Advice Note 1 on Transition Zones defines the meaning and function of Gateways and Transition Zones as they apply to our towns and villages. Advice Note 2 on Materials and Specifications sets out to expand on the concepts of quality, durability and function and to provide guidance in terms of construction and design, material selection and specification. Advice Note 3 documents the background research and considerations used in the development of the DMURS Geometric Standards and Advice Note 4 on Quality Audits provides a system of design checks that can be carried out to promote 'best practise' design solutions.
A new DMURS website has also been developed and is available at www.dmurs.ie. The website contains all updates and supplementary material, including the advice notes, available for download. This website is designed to be a resource tool with workshop/presentation material available, along with links to key publications and case study material. Local Authorities and private practitioners are also invited to submit projects that demonstrate the application of the principles, approaches and design measures contained within DMURS. These will serve to illustrate 'best practise' street design and place making that will inform practitioners, students and interested persons.
