Transport Model & Transport Assessment Report, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork

MHL & Associates Ltd. Consulting Engineers were engaged by Cork County Councils Forward Planning & Strategic Development Unit, to produce a Transport Model & Transport Assessment Report for Carrigtwohill town and it’s environs. As part of the study it was required that various traffic microsimulation models be constructed of the study area. In all, twenty-five Paramics traffic models were constructed for various scenarios for the design years 2021, 2026 and 2036. The models served to assess the impact of various development scenarios and infrastructural changes, in light of traffic conditions.

The Midleton Electoral Area Local Area Plan 2011 outlines the various zoning proposals along with infrastructural improvements ambitions. The plan also points to the high volume of thru-traffic and restrictive street layout within the town centre. Reference is made to the Midleton and Carrigtwohill Transportation Study, published in August 2010 which also makes reference to these issues and outlines recommendations to address same. Planned improvements include a distributor road through the Masterplan site north of the rail line and an eastern grade separated junction on the N25.

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of the development of various zoned land whilst considering the relative mitigative effect of a number of network and junction improvement measures. These issues along with the impact of newly completed and future planned development are foremost in the objectives of this Study. The models referred to in the report informed the analysis of these issues. Furthermore, the models allow the local authority to better plan critical infrastructure for the future needs of Carrigtwohill.