John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise as I have a cold, but I will try to get through the reply. I thank Deputy Shane Moynihan for raising this important issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport today. As the Deputy rightly points out, in 2022, the Department of Transport, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland sought to investigate the provision of pilot schemes to assess the feasibility of applying to the Irish context the experience of other countries where zebra crossings without flashing orange beacons are in place.

The need for the pilot scheme, as the Deputy outlined, arose from the desire to increase the number of safe crossing locations for pedestrians and active travel use in a cost-effective and sustainable manner across the country. The proposals contained within the feasibility study were investigated in two pilot studies. The first study involved the NTA's cycle design office, in collaboration with the Department and the active travel teams in Limerick City and County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The NTA began a pilot scheme for a new type of zebra crossing. The new layout comprises the installation of eight new crossings, five in Limerick and three in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, without flashing orange beacons. The beacons were replaced by signage and used in low-volume traffic areas.

The second study was undertaken by TII. This pilot study focused on a low-cost measure to improve pedestrian safety, using high-visibility uncontrolled crossing, HVC, markings instead of flashing orange beacons on a national road. Both pilot projects show there is a case for utilising zebra crossings without flashing beacons in certain situations, and subject to certain criteria. This does not eliminate the need for zebra crossings with flashing beacons, but does allow for the wider roll-out of zebra crossings without the need for more expensive electrical connections to the beacons, as outlined by Deputy Moynihan. The utilisation of a sign or no sign for these crossings is shown to be widely used across Europe.

The results of the first pilot scheme have demonstrated that zebra crossings without Belisha beacons could be suitable in the Irish context. The report recommends that consideration is given to wider implementation of this type of zebra crossing in certain situations. A sign with a fluorescent yellow border is recommended as the only permitted sign type as it is more visible and recognisable.

It is further recommended that this type of crossing should only be used where there is a posted speed limit of 50 km/h or lower, specified low traffic volumes, good pedestrian-driver visibility, and the crossing location to have adequate street lighting. In addition, the crossing should be on a flat-top ramp or raised platform.

The second pilot and trial undertaken by TII at four sites in Donegal has demonstrated that zebra crossings without beacons are suitable in rural towns carrying national traffic. Therefore, the report recommends that the pilot and trial sites are retained as permanent pedestrian crossings and that additional crossings, where required, are implemented in line with certain criteria such as operational speeds being low and checked prior to site selection, the crossing area and approach being clearly visible to approaching drivers, only single lane two-way traffic, and the necessity for the crossing to be well lit.

The visibility of the crossing can be further increased by providing raised tables or platforms to provide maximum visibility to drivers and to provide additional comfort for visually impaired users. In addition, parking must not obstruct the visibility of the footpath on the approaches to the crossing. The study stated that this type of crossing could be implemented elsewhere on the national road network in towns and villages subject to certain site and layout parameters and recommendations.

I take the Deputy's point about solar power and other matters he raised about further advance warning and I will bring his points to the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien.

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