EIS - National Maternity Hospital Arup 6.0 Traffic and Transportation 6.1 Introduction This chapter of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) presents the transport strategy for, and potential transport impacts of the proposed development of The National Maternity Hospital at St. Vincent’s University Hospital Campus, Elm Park, Dublin 4 (the ‘Campus’). The proposed new National Maternity Hospital building will be located at the eastern side of the hospital campus and comprises the construction of a building that rises to 5 and 6 storeys above ground level, with one partial basement level, plus additional ancillary plant areas at the roof level. The full detail of the nature and extent of the proposed development is set out in Chapter 2 of this EIS. Full detail of the anticipated construction sequencing and phasing is set-out in the Draft Construction Management Plan. The proposed development also includes an extension to the existing multi-storey car park at the north of the campus. The proposed development will be constructed in a sequential manner that allows for the continual operation of the hospital campus and, as such, includes the phased demolition of existing buildings at St. Vincent’s University Hospital campus to facilitate clearing the site for the proposed development and the construction of temporary accommodation to facilitate construction sequencing (including a single storey temporary canteen, catering staff changing facilities, household services store and carpenters workshop). The location of the existing National Maternity Hospital in relation to the St. Vincent’s University Hospital Campus is presented in Figure 6.1. 6-0 EIS - National Maternity Hospital Arup Figure 6.1: Location of The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street St. Vincent's University Hospital Campus This chapter sets-out the transport strategy developed supporting the proposed new National Maternity Hospital and presents the transport impact appraisal undertaken. The Chapter is set out as follows: • Transport Planning Policy Context; • Appraisal Methodology; • Receiving Environment; • Characteristics of the Proposed Development; • Potential Impacts of the Proposed Development; • Mitigation Measures; • Predicted Residual Impact of the Proposed Development; • Monitoring; • Reinstatement; and • Interactions and Potential Cumulative Impacts In terms of mobility management planning, St. Vincent’s University Hospital has a number of sustainable transport measures currently in place, these include: • paid staff car parking; • active promotion of cycling and provision of secure and sheltered cycle parking for staff; and • the provision of real-time public transport information in St. Vincent’s University 6-1 EIS - National Maternity Hospital Arup Hospital. In addition, the St. Vincent’s University Hospital has been a partner in the National Transport Authority’s Smarter Travel Workplaces for a number of years, taking part in events such as the annual pedometer and cycle challenges. These initiatives have resulted in increased usage of sustainable modes of transport, including annual increases in the number of staff cycling in recent years. The success of these initiatives was recognised with St. Vincent’s University Hospital being awarded the Cycling Workplace of the Year at the National Transport Authority’s 2015 Smarter Travel Awards. The proposed transport strategy set out in this document has been developed in conjunction with and to the agreement of Dublin City Council (DCC), the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC). In addition, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) were consulted during the preparation of the EIS and submission of the application for permission. TII confirmed that they did not need to be consulted in respect to this application, as the proposed development will not have any significant impact on the National or Regional road network. Building on the sustainable travel patterns already achieved at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, the proposed transport strategy to support the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital onto the Campus is intended to ensure that the Campus as a whole will operate efficiently, while also ensuring that impacts on transport networks and neighboring environs are kept to an absolute minimum. The transport strategy includes for: • Reduction in the modal share for car users from circa 50% (SVUH is 51% and NMH is 47%) to a combined 34% as agreed with DCC and the NTA; • Provision of a new stop for the existing UCD to DART shuttle at SVUH, this has been agreed by NTA and UCD and can now provide a link between the DART, SVUH and the UCD bus terminus; and • Enhanced connectivity to Sydney Parade DART Station. These integrated measures represent continuing improvements in the campus accessibility strategy, which will be further implemented by the proposed development. It is envisaged that overall accessibility to the campus in the coming years will continue to improve through the implementation of a range of Dublin-wide public transport measures 6-2 EIS - National Maternity Hospital Arup that are contained within the adopted NTA Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035. This Strategy includes a number of specific public transport and cycling improvements for the local and the wider South Dublin area. As the campus is located on or next to a number of major commuting routes, the primary benefit of these measures will be to provide additional public transport capacity and alternatives to private car travel. 6.1.1 Transport Planning Policy Context Transport planning policy, both nationally and locally, is set out in the planning documents outlined in this section. They particularly emphasise the importance of travel demand management, with each of the planning documents identifying the need to implement mobility management plans at workplaces and other locations, which attract a high level of transport demand. 6.1.1.1 National Policy Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Smarter Travel In February 2009, ‘Smarter Travel – A Sustainable Transport Future: A New Transport Policy for Ireland 2009-2020’ was published by the now Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, setting out the vision of a sustainable transport future in 2020. This policy document proposes an alternative to the existing trends - which have resulted in increased traffic congestion and a loss in economic competitiveness. It sets out measures aimed at increasing the share of the population walking, cycling, using public transport and leaving their cars at home by 2020. Through this framework, the Government aims to reduce the national car-based share of total commuting trips from the current average of 65% to 45%. It is important to note that these are the average targets for the whole State, and therefore, areas with higher potential for mode shift such as the cities and in particular Dublin City, will have to achieve significantly more ambitious targets to counter the likely car dominance across most rural areas and smaller urban centres. The fundamental objective underpinning this policy document is the provision of a high quality, integrated and sustainable travel and transport infrastructure and services that support the movement of goods and people, which in turn will ensure continued Irish competitiveness. This translates into goals, actions and objectives seeking to ensure the availability of sustainable transport alternatives to the majority of the population. The 49 actions set-out in the “Smarter Travel” Transport Policy document can be grouped under four key headings, as follows: 6-3 EIS - National Maternity Hospital Arup • Actions to reduce distance travelled by private car and encourage smarter travel, including focusing population growth in areas of employment and to encourage people to live in close proximity to places of employment and the use of pricing mechanisms or fiscal measures to encourage behavioural change; • Actions aimed at ensuring that alternatives to the car are more widely available, mainly through improved and more accessible public transport and through investment in cycling and walking; • Actions aimed at improving the fuel efficiency of motorised transport through improved fleet structure, energy efficient driving, and alternative technologies; and • Actions aimed at strengthening institutional arrangements to deliver the targets. The new National Maternity Hospital at St. Vincent’s University Hospital Campus reflects the overall aims of Smarter Travel, as it provides intensification of an urban area that has a high level of sustainable transport accessibility. National Cycle Policy Framework 2009-2020 The National Cycle Policy Framework (as part of Smarter Travel – A Sustainable Transport Future 2009) outlines national policy for cycling, in order to create a stronger cycling society, and a friendlier environment for cycling. The policy document sets an average national target of 10% of all trips by bicycle by 2020 and equally recognises the need for continuing promotion and integration of cycle networks in the State. 6.1.1.2 Regional Policy Regional Planning Guidelines, 2010-2022 The ‘Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area’ were first published in 2004 by the Dublin Regional Authority and Mid-East Regional Authority and thereafter have been reviewed regularly, with the Regional Planning Guidelines for the period 2010 to 2022 having been adopted in June 2010. Regarding