National Design Guidelines and Standards Documents
1.1 How to Guide on Area Based Transport Assessment Plans
A guidance document for local authorities to enable a consistent approach to the preparation of transport assessments in the preparation of Development Plans and Local Area Plans. It provides a ‘step-by-step’ guide to undertaking transport assessments including practical advice on the appropriate use of transport planning tools and datasets. How working together can help manage shorter journeys and be more sustainable through promoting the “15” minute town.
1.2 National Cycle Manual (2011) National Transport Authority
A Cycle Design Office (CDO) was established by the NTA in 2019. The core objective of the CDO is to provide design services to assist in the delivery of cycling projects, predominantly in the Greater Dublin Area but also in the Regional Cities.
The National Cycle Manual is currently under review.
1.3 Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) (2019) Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
1.4 A Best Practice Guide to Permeability (2015) National Transport Authority
Guidance on how best to facilitate demand for walking and cycling in existing built-up areas. The manual highlights the importance of interconnected, secure, well-lit and overlooked pedestrian and cycle networks.
1.5 Sustainable Urban Housing Design (2020) Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Apartments are likely to form a greater proportion of housing delivery in Kilkenny in the future
Disincentivising car use and the provision of quality cycling infrastructure including the management of bicycle storage areas.
2. Transport Infrastructure Ireland Position Papers and Standards
Requirements within Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Publications pertaining to the design and provision of facilities for those walking, wheeling, and cycling are under review. These documents are part of the TII publications system. All current publications can be found here.
2.1 National Roads – Active Travel Planning (October 2021)
This guidance applies to roads with a speed limit greater than 60kph.
2.2 The Treatment of Transition Zones to Towns and Villages on National Roads (July 2021)
A transition zone is defined as a zone within a 50/60km/h speed limit and passing through areas of low density residential and commercial development and/or industrial, or institutional areas, such as schools, hospitals, recreational or sports grounds.
2.3 Cross Sections and Headroom (May 2019)
Includes standards for the provision of rural areas cycle and pedestrian facility layouts and separation.
2.4 Sustainable Mobility Position Paper (November 2020)
2.5 Project Appraisal Guidelines for National Roads Unit 13.0 – Pedestrian and Cyclist Facilities
3. Greenways
This document has been revised to present details for Cycleways and Greenways.
3.2 Greenways and Cycle Routes Ancillary Infrastructure Guidelines (Updated 2020) Department of Transport Tourism and Sport and Sport Ireland
3.3 Great Outdoors Access Guidelines (2018) Irish Wheelchair Association
Irish Wheelchair Association’s Sports Department in conjunction with Sport Ireland developed the concept of designing and delivering outdoor access guidelines that could be used by various organisations that provide and manage facilities within the Great Outdoors.
International Guidelines and Standards
CROW is a not-for-profit organization in which the government and businesses work together in pursuit of their common interests through the design, construction and management of roads and other traffic and transport facilities. Active in research and in issuing regulations, CROW focuses on distributing knowledge products to all target groups.
CROW’s tasks involve:
Research in the area of traffic, transport and infrastructure
Standardisation in this sector
Transfer of knowledge and knowledge management
CROW publishes most of its products in Dutch. In 2019, the platform started to gather all publications around cycling, roads and paths for cycling, planning, safety and other information of international interest.
2. Sustrans
A collection of high-quality UK design guidance for walking and cycling infrastructure. It also includes guidance on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.
Healthy Streets is a human-centred framework for embedding public health in transport, public realm and planning. The 10 Healthy Streets Indicators focus on the human experience needed on all streets, everywhere, for everyone.
Copenhagenize.com was started in 2007 by Mikael Colville-Andersen and highlights the cycling life in Copenhagen and around the world. His blog translates and shares the guidelines for bicycle infrastructure and bicycle parking. There are variations and creative additions to the guidelines.