Active Travel

SYSTRA is one of Ireland’s foremost specialists in delivering active travel initiatives. Our specialists plan, consult, design, implement and monitor walking, wheeling & cycling strategies and infrastructure. Our support helps public and private sector clients to improve health outcomes, reduce traffic emissions, improve safety and achieve environmental targets.

Delivering active travel schemes

Local authorities throughout the Ireland are keen to encourage active modes of travel, alongside the use of public transport, to help deliver environmental, safety and health benefits for communities. Key to this is the development of active travel strategies and the creation of suitable pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. However, there are challenges in implementing active travel infrastructure, including space restrictions, funding and resource limitations, and managing public expectations of schemes that are sometimes contentious.

SYSTRA works across Ireland to plan, design and implement active travel strategies and infrastructure that meet the needs of all.

SYSTRA active travel specialists have an excellent understanding of why people choose to travel in certain ways, and know how to encourage and enable the transition to more active travel modes.

Cycling network design and implementation

Cycling is recognised as a core part of the Ireland’s transport infrastructure, with an important role to play in improving air quality and health, while reducing traffic congestion and minimising environmental impacts.

SYSTRA delivers innovative cycling-based projects, ranging from high-level “quick win” strategies for cycling corridors, through to detailed designs for cycle routes and post-implementation monitoring. We take an integrated approach to planning and designing active schemes, considering the impact on pedestrians, road networks and the wider urban realm. We consult with stakeholders to understand the impacts of new cycling infrastructure, and we conduct research into cycle routes and cycle parking best practice.

Our cycling scheme support services include:

• Strategy – data-driven studies (including cycle hire, cycle parking and LCWIPs), considering accessibility issues and provision for non-standard cycles.

• Cycle trip modelling – using tools such as CYNEMON to perform demand and routing analysis for cycle trips.

• Network design criteria specification – background analysis to support cycle route development and high-level optioneering and appraisal.

• Concept, Preliminary & detailed design work – designing cycle routes and accompanying infrastructure at all stages of the project lifespan.

• Behaviour change – engaging with businesses, schools, residents and government organisations to promote and encourage cycling.

• Stakeholder engagement, monitoring & research – consultations on cycling infrastructure and policies, understanding local sentiments, monitoring the use of cycling infrastructure and its impact on local surroundings.

We design pedestrian initiatives to enhance neighbourhoods and create walkable links between key destinations and leisure amenities. As well as cutting emissions and improving health outcomes, pedestrian schemes help to increase retail spending in local businesses and build community cohesion.

Our walking, wheeling and cycling scheme support services include:

• School Streets – we work with schools to plan, consult on and deliver street closures that give children safer access to school, while reducing vehicle emissions around schools.

• Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) – we support the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, including vehicle displacement analysis, signage and urban design, consultation and post-scheme evaluation and monitoring.

• Pedestrian Environment Review System (PERS) – PERS audits help local authorities understand challenges in the connectivity and quality in their footways, to support pedestrian improvement schemes.

• Public realm design & implementation – we design permeable public spaces, including station concourses and nearby open spaces, university campuses and town centres.

• Pedestrian modelling – we use a range of pedestrian modelling software, such as LEGION and VisWalk, to assess station concourse redesigns, stadium access and egress during special events, and airport security line arrangements.

• Walking network analysis – we use our own innovative tool to calculate and analyse the use of all possible walking routes within an area.

• Monitoring and evaluation – we provide quantitative and qualitative data on pedestrian schemes and walking routes.

• Personalised Travel Planning (PTP) support – delivering PTP support. PTP provides individuals and households with bespoke travel information and incentives to support them in making active and sustainable travel choices.

• Workplace engagement initiatives – promoting active and sustainable travel among employees at employment sites, ranging from individual offices to entire business parks. We use a variety of techniques and materials to engage employees in their workplaces, including providing welcome packs with local travel information, leading walks and cycle rides for employees, organising events, and providing dedicated travel plan coordination.

How can our experts help?