The updated DTO strategy — A Platform for Change — is providing the framework for the development of Dublin's transport network, including metro, Luas, DART/suburban rail, bus and roads, to respond to the transportation needs of the greater Dublin area in the period to 2016.
A Platform for Change; was developed to support and complement the strategic land use planning framework set out in the strategic planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area and was drawn up taking account, inter alia, of the development plans of the local authorities, the national sustainable development strategy, the Green Paper on sustainable energy, the national climate change strategy, the Dublin suburban rail strategic review, the bus network strategy appraisal for the greater Dublin area, the national road needs study and the ESRI medium term review. These and other documents provided both a general policy background and more detailed technical analysis.
As part of the development of the strategy the DTO subjected emerging strategy options to a multi-criterion evaluation process analysing the impacts of proposed measures on the economy, on accessibility, on sustainability and on policy integration. In addition, individual projects are subject to detailed examination and assessment as part of the planning and design process.
Significant elements of the strategy are now being delivered under the NDP. The NDP provides for investment of over €2 billion in public transport and traffic management in Dublin in the period to 2006, including provision of over €250 million in respect of traffic management grants. Major national road development projects, including major projects on the M1, the M50, the N11 and the Dublin port tunnel, to a total value of nearly €2.5 billion have been completed in recent years or are under way in the greater Dublin area.
In addition, a total of €1.4 billion has been invested in public transport over the past four years including the Luas, rail safety programme, rail rolling stock, bus fleet replacement and expansion and Heuston Station redevelopment.
