Roads & Transportation Society

About this network

We cater primarily for engineers and planners involved in road and rail design, transport planning and traffic engineering.

Our principle aim is to provide our members with a professional and social network for learning and developing potential business opportunities. Members can network with their peers and with representatives from the associated industry groups at events organised by the society.

Who can join?

The Roads and Transport Society network is of particular relevance to those working, studying or researching in the road and transport engineering sector.

However, membership is open to all members of Engineers Ireland.

How to join

If you are already a member of Engineers Ireland, you can join any number of Regions, Divisions and Societies in our Members Area

It is free to join our network, and once you join, you can: 

• Use our discussion forum
• Post comments on articles and blogs
• Join the Contacts Network to locate and send messages to other professionals

Events

Our events at Engineers Ireland headquarters in Clyde Road draw large numbers, both in person and via webcast. These events allow members to make contacts and network with their peers and industry representatives, and contribute to their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

But they aren’t just for engineers – we welcome anyone with a casual interest in railways, roads and the design of major civil engineering projects to attend our lectures and seminars.

Lectures cover the full spectrum of roads and transportation topics including:

• Roads design
• Railway development
• Traffic and planning matters

Speakers come from a variety of backgrounds, from consultancy to contracting to local authorities.

We also aim to present one academic paper each year on a relevant research area and welcome proposals for the coming year.

Every other year we run a group seminar bringing together specialist speakers from different disciplines to discuss a particularly challenging aspect of design.

Chairman

• Peter Monahan
• Chartered Engineer
• PMCE Ltd
• Mona Villa
• Lower Commons Road
• Brownsnarn
• Dublin 22
• Tel:01 4643041
• Mob: 086 1721464
• E: peter.monahan@pmce.ie

Vice Chairman

• Rowan O'Callaghan
• Chartered Engineer
• RPS Group
• West Pier Business Campus
• Dun Laoghaire
• Co. Dublin
• Mob: 086 3854167
• E: rowan.ocallaghan@rpsgroup.com

Secretary

• Eoin O'Catháin
• Chartered Engineer
• Roughan O'Donovan Consulting Engineers
• Arena House
• Arena Rioad
• Sandyford
• Dublin 18
• Tel: 01 2940800
• Mob:087 2519527
• E: eocathain@rod.ie

PR Officer

• Carol Kavanagh
• Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
• Environment Department
• Dun Laoghaire
• Co. Dublin
• Mob: 086 8569263
• E: carol.kavanagh@fingalcoco.ie
  

Liaison Committee Representative

• John McCarthy
• Department of Transport
• Floor 2, Block 7
• Irish life Centre
• Dublin 1
• Mob: 087 9832052
• E: johnmccarthy@transport.ie

STEPS Liaison Officer

• James Robinson
• RPS Group Plc
• West Pier Business Campus
• Dun Laoghaire
• Co. Dublin
• Tel: 01 2884499
• E: james.robinson@rpsgroup.com
  

Civil Division Representative

• Joe Seymour
• Chartered Engineer
• 4 Birchdale
• Carriglea Downs
• Dun Laoghaire
• Co. Dublin
• Tel: 01 4004000
• Mob: 087 9155327
• Email: jseymour@dbfl.ie

Managing an air transport crisis - impact of Icelandic volcanoes on Ireland’s airspace

Date: 15th September, 2010
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Engineers Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Admission: Free. All welcome.

About the speaker: Mr. Peter Kearney has worked with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) since 1998.  Prior to that he has worked for 10 years as air traffic controller at Dublin airport, during which time he devised and developed air traffic control and flight procedures for the Ryder Cup in Ireland (2006) and for the Bray Air Display (2005 - 2010). Peter is also an IAA human factors expert,  an air traffic management incident / occurrence investigator, and a qualified helicopter pilot.

About the event: This lecture represents a unique opportunity to learn about the immense challenges which faced the Irish Aviation Authority during the recent Icelandic volcanic eruptions, where ash contamination closed Irish airspace for considerable periods of time and resulted in unprecedented air travel disruption. Get an insight into the IAA, what they do, the impact of volcanic ash on aircraft and Irish flight operations, how they managed the ash crisis, and what solutions were arrived at.

Can't attend? Watch it live on Engineers TV!

Event link: https://engineersireland.webex.com/engineersireland/onstage/g.php?d=844801411&t=a

Event password: Ash1234

Contact: Carol Kavanagh, PRO, Roads and transportation society
E: carolkavanagh@dlrcoco.ie

Public Works Contracts- The Client's Experience

Presented by Ivar Blanker and Will Horgan, DLRCC

24th March, 2010

Content

Download Public Works Contracts- The Client's Experience

Smarter Travel Areas- Delivering Local Sustainable Tranport

Presented by Dr. Aoife O'Grady, Department of Transport

24th February, 2010

Content

Download Smarter Travel Areas- Delivering Local Sustainable Tranport (PDF)

Examples of Successful Mobility Plans

Presented by Finola O'Driscoll, NTA

2nd December, 2009

Content

Download Examples of Successful Mobility Plans (PDF)

Rail Freight in Ireland

Presented by Derval Cummins, Booz & Company

16th September, 2009

Content

• Why is rail freight topical?
• Benefits of rail freight
• Policies to support rail freight
• Status of rail freight in Ireland

Rail Freight in Ireland (PDF 4.25MB)

The National Cycle Policy Framework

Background

• Government’s New Smarter Travel Policy
• Tenders invited for desktop research to ascertain international best practice.
• Colin Buchanan in partnership with Interface for Cycling Expertise, an organisation that makes Dutch experience and expertise available to other countries.
• Government policy launched by Minister in April

The National Cycle Policy Framework (PDF 461 kb)

National Cycling Strategy 2

Content

• Concerns for safety maybe the greatest barrier to the uptake of cycling.
• Create a legal hierarchy of care in relation to travel?
• Improve the enforcement of existing traffic laws

(Download National Cycling Strategy 2 PDF 681 kb)

Adamstown Planning Scheme

Presented by Christy O'Sullivan, Managing Director, ILTP Consulting

8th February, 2009

Download Adamstown Planning Scheme (pdf 1.53 mb)

eFlow Barrier-Free Tolling

Presented by Cathal Masterson, NRA

3rd February, 2009

Content

• Introduction
• Project Overview & Current Status
• Procurement & Project Programme
• Project Challenges
• Next Steps / Lessons Learned

Download eFlow Barrier-Free Tolling (PDF 1.69MB)

Extending the Luas: Sandyford to Cherrywood. B1 300 – Structures Package

Presented by Mark Dillon, Contracts Manager, Laing O’Rourke, Infrastructure

29th October 2008

Content

• Background to the LUAS
• B1 Line Extension
• B1- 300 Package (Structures)
• Brewery Road Bridge
• Central Park
• Leopardstown Bridge
• Carrickmines Bridge
• Glenamuck Road
• Carrickmines Culvert
• Spine Road and Brennanstown Stop
• Health and Safety
• Environmental
• Other LUAS Projects

Download Extending the Luas - Sandyford to Cherrywood (PDF 9.19MB)

Dublin's Trams - Past and Present

Presented by Michael Sheedy, Director Light Rail, Railway Procurement Agency

29th September, 2008

Content

• Cost
• Value for money
• Plannng process
• Passenger numbers and averages
• Metro concept and interconnector
• Soute schematic and city centre underground stations
• Case study - Budapest

Download Dublin's Trams - Past and Present (PDF 5.23MB)

Sustainable Urban Traffic Management

Presented by Michael Aherne, Chair, Traffic Efficiency and Monitoring Working Group, POLIS

30th April, 2008

Content

• Future Vision
• Policy Context for the future
• Review of Transport Philosophy
• Network Objectives
• The Tools for the Job
• 3-stranded Approach to TM service provision

Download Sustainable Urban Traffic Management (PDF 3.63MB)

Getting the most out of Road Safety Audits

By Forbes Vigors, Project Manager, Road Safety, National Roads Authority

17th April, 2008

Content

• What is a road safety audit?
• Why and when audits are carried out
• What auditors are looking for and why
• Problems & recommendations
• A review of safety audits and the safety audit process
• The effectiveness of road safety audits

Download Getting the Most out of Road Safety Audits (PDF 1.37 MB)

On Line Widening of the N7 Naas Road

Presented by Jim Thorpe, Roughan & O’Donovan, Faber Maunsell Alliance

28th November, 2007

Content

• Scheme Description and Background
• Tender Design Priorities
• Integrated Programming
• Integrating Pavement and Alignment
• Integrating Structures into Construction Planning
• Discussion

Download On Line Widening of the N7 Naas Road (PDF 1.8MB)

Transport 21 Developments in Iarnrod Eireann

Presented by Tom Finn, Transport 21

28th March, 2007

Content

• Transport 21-What is it
• Current investment programme
• Intercity strategy and projects
• Dublin commuter strategy and projects
• Long Term Outlook for the railway in Ireland
• Engineering in Iarnrod Eireann

Download Transport 21 Developments in Iarnrod Eireann (PDF 6.1MB)

International Best Practice in Metro Related Tunnel Projects

Presented by Nicola Della Valle, Tunnelconsult

25th April, 2007

Content

• Urban tunnelling constraints
• Volume losses and settlements
• Monitoring
• TBM control parameters
• Vibrations
• Tunnel cost
• Case histories
  

Download International Best Practice in Metro Related Tunnel Projects (PDF 5.47MB)

Risk as Feelings Implications for Safe Driving Practice

Presented by Ray Fuller, Trinity College, Dublin

31st January, 2007

Content

• Driving task difficulty and feelings of risk
• Different types of driver
• The relationship between somatic marker strength and prioritisation in attention
• Inattentional blindness
• References

Download Risk as Feelings Implications for Safe Driving Practice (PDF 0.1MB)

Iarnrod Eireann - Dublin Integrated Rail Plan

Presented by Iarnroad Eireann

17th November, 2006

Contents

• Overview of current suburban rail network
• Projects underway to increase capacity
• Issues driving demand for commuter rail
• Short term measures planned to meet demand
• Iarnród Éireann’s plan for an integrated network of commuter rail services
• Interconnector tunnel
• Business case and timescales
• Questions and discussion
  

Download Iarnrod Eireann - Dublin Integrated Rail Plan (PDF 1.89MB)

Developing Luas for Dublin

Presented by Michael Sheedy, Railway Procurement Agency

22nd February, 2006

Content

• Travel times studies and summary
• Value for money
• Alternative transport comparisons
• Greater Dublin Area rail network
• The Dublin Metro project - Metro North, proposed plans, key milestones, tunnels
  
• International comparisons
• Key challenges
• Route selection

Download Developing Luas for Dublin (PDF 39.5MB)

Delivering the National Road Network Value for Money

Presented by Fred Barry, CEO, National RoadFred Barrys Authority, Ireland   

1st November, 2006

Content

• Developing the Network – Transport 21
• European Comparisons
• Cost Trends - Ireland
• Project Assessment
• Industry Capacity
• Conclusion
  

Download Delivering the National Road Network Value for Money (PDF 0.3MB)

Intelligent Transportation Systems- NRA's Experience

Presented by David Laoide-Kemp, National Roads Authority

26th October, 2006

Content

• NRA’s Experience of ITS
• The “Big Shift”
• ITS Experiences
• National Roads Management
• The Future

Download Intelligent Transportation Systems- NRA's Experience (PDF 1.02MB)

Minimising Traffic Congestion at Signal Controlled Junctions Using Mova

Presented by JSTSM Ltd

1st October, 2006

Content

• What is Mova?
• Hardware
• Detection issues
• How Does Mova Work?
• The Extent of Benefit Achieved by Implementing Mova
• Remote Monitoring
• Applications in Ireland
• National Roads Authority Policy
• Training Courses

Download Minimising Traffic Congestion at Signal Controlled Junctions Using Mova (PDF 0.8MB)

M50 Upgrade

Presented by ARUP

29th March, 2006

Content

• Introduction
• Methodology
• Traffic
• Scheme Development
• Proposed Scheme
• Statutory Procedures

Download M50 Upgrade (PDF 6.63MB)

The Upgrade of the M50 in the Context of an Integrated Approach to Transportation in Dublin

Presented by:

Tim Corcoran (ARUP)
Gordon Henderson (ARUP)
Niamh O’Sullivan (ARUP)

29th March, 2006

Content

• Background
• Introduction
• History of M50
• Policy and Planning Context
• Transport AssessmentCriteria
• Do Something Scenario
• Effects of M50 Upgrade
• Proposed Scheme Design Standards
• Cost Benefit Analysis
• Statutory Procedures
• Public Consultation
• Environmental Impact Statement
• Land and Property Issues
• Comparison with Scheme Objectives
• Acknowledgement

Download  The Upgrade of the M50 in the Context of an Integrated Approach to Transportatio (PDF 6.01MB)

The Transport Needs of a Growing Economy

Presented by Bernard Feeney, Goodbody Economic Consultants

25th January 2006

Content

• Review performance and prospects for the economy
• Assess the implications for a number of transport modes
  

Download The Transport Needs of a Growing Economy (PDF 0.08MB)

Dundalk Western Bypass- PPP Scheme

Presented by:

Nigel O’Neill (ROD)
Peter J. Monahan (RPS)
Antonio Núñez - (ROD)
Ian Cunningham - (RPS)
Michael Conroy - (CRGM1)
Thomas Bryson - (MMMEPO)

7th November, 2005

Content

• Scheme History - Nigel O’Neill  & Peter J. Monahan
  
• Dundalk Western Bypass PPP Scheme
• PPP Schemes Overview – Antonio Núñez
  
• Construction – Ian Cunningham
  
• Design – Michael Conroy
  
• Operations & Maintenance – Antonio Núñez
• Monitoring – Thomas Bryson

Download Dundalk Western Bypass- PPP Scheme (PDF 3.01MB)

South East Motorway - The Road Delivered

Presented by:

John McDaid B.A., B.A.I., M.I.E.I.- Senior Engineer, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
Michael Noonan B.E., C. Eng M.I.E.I., M.I.C.E. - Technical Director, RPS MCOS
John o'Sullivan B.E., C.Eng., F.I.E.I. - Director ASCON Ltd.
Rory o'Sullivan B.E., C. Eng., F.I.E.I. - Project Resident Engineer, RPS MCOS

25th May, 2005

Content

• The Context of the Scheme - John McDaid (DLRCoCo Client)
• Engineering Aspects of the Scheme - Michael Noonan (RPS-MCOS Engineer)
• The Supplemental Agreement - John O’Sullivan (Ascon Contractor)
• Project Resident Engineer Perspective - Rory O’Sullivan (RPS-MCOS Engineer)

Download South East Motorway - The Road Delivered (PDF 5.72MB)

A Review of Pavement Management Systems in Ireland

Presented by RPS Group Ltd.

27th June 2005

A review of pavement management systems for use on the non-national road network in Ireland. The study was commissioned by the department of environment, heritage and local government and completed in 2005.

Content

• Introduction
• Road network management
  
• Pavement performance factors
• Existing situation
  
• PMS review processMS requirements
• Can Maproad be upgraded
• Recommendations

Download A Review of Pavement Management Systems in Ireland (PDF 0.6 MB)

Download Non-National Roads- Pavement Design and Pavement Management Systems (PDF)

Delivering PPP Roads

Presented by Gerry Murphy, IEI Roads & Transportation Society

19th February 2003

Content

• Aims of PPP
• Responsibilities of PPP Co
• Design and construction
• Operation, maintainance and monitoring
• Sources of finance
• Typical structure
• Examples and conclusions

Download Delivering PPP Roads (PDF 1.46 MB)