asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will make a statement on the research he has undertaken and the policy he has towards quantifying the relative environmental, energy and safety advantages of rail transport and road transport; and if he will outline the Government's policy in this matter.
Written Answers. - Rail and Road Transport.
30.
While my Department have not carried out comprehensive research in the area of quantifying the relative environmental, energy and safety advantages of rail and road transport, studies have been undertaken by various interests in Ireland into such areas as the contribution of transport to environmental pollution, the relative fuel efficiency of rail and bus vis-á-vis motor cars and the question of energy conservation by motor vehicles. In addition research has been carried out in other countries and within international organisations, such as the European Conference of Ministers of Transport, in relation to the impact of various aspects of transport on environmental, energy and safety issues.
From the information available to me it is not possible to be precise about the overall relative values of bus and rail in environmental, energy and safety contexts. Nonetheless research indicates generally that buses are more efficient users of energy than private cars while rail is more efficient than private cars and road freight vehicles. In these cases occupancy rates and load factors are important criteria. As regards environmental considerations, these two forms of transport also emerge as being less harmful as far as air pollution is concerned. On the safety issue, public transport generally enjoys an excellent safety record, but the risks for road transport seem higher because of the more complex traffic environment in which it operates.
It is policy to encourage the transfer of passenger traffic from private cars to public transport, both bus and rail. In considering proposals for public transport investment, account is taken of the merits of bus and rail as well as the costs involved, the needs of the market, the availability of financial resources and considerations of cost effectiveness.