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[UPDATE] Dublin Transport Map v1.5

Colin Broderick — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:39:45 +0000

First I would like to say thanks a million to all those who provided feedback on my first version of the Dublin transport map, you all know who you are, thank you! Before I show you the revised map I would like to explain my design process a bit better so as to clear up some of the issues raised in the feedback to the original post.

Background

My dissertation in college focused on this idea of the network effect in public transport with study on the north eastern area of Dublin (Santry across to Howth), while also critiquing the differences in spatial land use policy and transport policy. That is a post for another day though.

There is no map of Dublin that shows the Dublin Bus, Luas and Rail networks on one sheet of paper. The closest representation is by Aris but also includes other possible modifications.

What really spawned this map was that I have been working on a geographically accurate map of all Dublin’s Transport in a similar style to the maps produced of Paris. But this map would also show the frequency of routes simply by varying the thickness of the lines. It is showing the frequency part that is the major challenge using illustrator as any minor changes are much more difficult than using a grid like with the map below.

Also as has been pointed out by a number of tweets such as this one:

@rusty1052 But Rusty, about 13% of the region’s population live north of the airport and another 8% live in Dublin 15

— Fingal Data Hub (@Fingal_Data_Hub) December4, 2011

As such there is also a slightly loaded message behind this map in that it can’t address a large proportion of the Dublin population lives in both Swords and the Dublin 15 area, where rapid services are very limited. It is also a shame that no orbital services like the 17A lack frequencies to allow seamless transfers. Instead most transfers have to made within the city centre.

Finally the current cash fare system penalizes people who need to make transfers to complete a trip by charging full fares twice. Hopefully the National Transport Authority will soon fix this as they are they have the power to set fares as part of the Public Transport Licensing process.

Objectives

Only services which operate at 15 minute of less frequency Monday – Friday off-peak will be represented on the map.
To show all transport modes, Bus, Light Rail (Luas) and Heavy Rail (DART & Commuter)
To illustrate the frequent network of transport routes that are available in Dublin.
To show the places which are possible to transfer as part of your journey.
To create the first multi-modal map of Dublin.

Map v 1.5

Why version 1.5? The map is still in development and I have not implemented the full array of suggestion that people were so kind to make in the comments on the last post.

The Future

I hope to refine the map into a usable product with the ultimate goal of pitching it to the National Transport Authority for use in Dublin.

I’m considering the addition of some combined routes, including the number 41′s which operate to Swords and beyond, which when combined roughly have an off-peak frequency of 15 mins. The 25′s and 26 to Lucan are similar in that combined they will be of sufficient frequency. Another feature which no one noticed was that Docklands Rail station is also missing and it will be added in a future release.

As I mentioned earlier I have been working on a complete Dublin Transport map which shows all services in the Dublin Region. This is a huge job! Unfortunately that is on the back burner as I have lost my enthusiasm it due to the difficulties of representing each and every route in the inner city. It is a nightmare as almost every Dublin Bus service stops on either D’Olier Street or Westmoreland Street. This map will take many months to complete to the same standard as the Frequent Map above. If someone has a GIS solution that they could put forward as alternative solution to hand drawing the map I would be over the moon! Here is a preview of that map in its current work in progress state:

http://zoom.it/hXh4

Draft Geographic Dublin Area Transport Map

As always!

Comments are welcome, you can follow me on the tweet machine @Rusty1052. Only want the blog? Subscribe to the RSS Feed with your favorite reader!

Do you like what you have just read? Maybe you are interested in being a guest writer too. Email me at colinb@dt106ers.com

First tracks laid for initial phase of reopening of Dublin-Navan rail line

Colin Broderick — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:41:13 +0000

TIM O’BRIEN

THE FIRST tracks of phase one of the reopening of the Dublin-Navan railway line were laid yesterday.

The 7.5-km double-track line begins at Clonsilla where it will branch off from the Maynooth-Dublin line and ends at a park and ride facility at Pace near Dunboyne, Co Meath. The line is due to open next year.

The service will offer through trains from Pace, located beside the M3 motorway, via Clonsilla to the Docklands station in Dublin.

Trains will initially run half-hourly at peak times but this is expected to build to 15-minute intervals as demand increases. Offpeak services are initially to be hourly but this too may increase as demand rises.

Trains will comprise commuter rolling stock.

The reopening of the line will also facilitate the development of the Hansfield Strategic Development zone, which will feature a new railway station.

According to Iarnród Éireann design work has also commenced on phase two of the project, the section from Pace to Navan.

An application for a railway order for phase two is due to to be lodged in mid-2011, following public consultation with residents, landowners and interested parties along the route.

A preferred route that is mostly on the alignment of the old Navan rail line has been chosen.

The Clonsilla to Navan line was closed in 1963 and Dunboyne has not been been served by rail since 1947.

Under phase one a new Dunboyne station is to have a park and ride facility for up to 300 cars.

The re-opening of the line to Navan, as an electric railway, was initially due to have been completed by 2015, but it is expected there will be some slippage with this timing.

Speaking as he inspected the work yesterday, chairman of CIÉ Dr John Lynch said the company was “delighted at how well this key project is progressing and the laying of the first track is a significant milestone to rebuild and reopen the line . . . which will be enormous benefit to commuters in the wider Meath area and west Dublin”.

Separately the Railway Procurement Agency confirmed yesterday that the Luas extension to the Point will open in the first two weeks of December.

The extension from Connolly Station to the point will have stops at George’s Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and the Point.

Shannon rail bridge nears completion

Colin Broderick — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:20:14 +0000

THE FINAL stage of work to replace one of Iarnród Éireann’s three railway crossings of the Shannon, a bridge near Lough Tap, between Dromod and Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Leitrim, gets under way today.

Over the next 12 days the line will be closed as the new steel bridge and concrete deck is lifted into place in four sections by the largest crane ever used in Ireland.

The crane, imported from Texas, has a lift capacity of 1,350 tonnes. The work was to have taken place from October 5th to 16th, but it was delayed. The replacement of the existing bridge,which dates from 1862, is expected to allow for considerable improvement in the speed of trains across the bridge, which had slowed to about walking pace in recent years.

In addition to the work on the bridge, the approach routes and embankments have been realigned and the entire structure is being raised by one metre to allow for larger vessels on the Shannon to pass underneath.

Iarnród Éireann said bus transfers will be in operation between Sligo town and all stations to Dromod. Passengers should note that buses will depart from Sligo and Collooney 30 minutes in advance of the scheduled train times to Dublin.

Costing €5.5 million, the bridge replacement brings to €150 million the total investment in the Dublin to Sligo line since 1999.

According to Iarnród Éireann, improvements have included renewal of track, resignalling and the upgrading of level crossings, platform lengthening and safety enhancements. The Sligo-Dublin route was the first to benefit from the new intercity railcars fleet. There will be eight daily services in each direction compared to three in 2003.

Iarnród Éireann said the increase in services has resulted in the Sligo-Dublin line becoming the network’s fastest growing route, with more than 1.34 million passenger journeys in 2008 – representing a jump of more than 30 per cent in three years.

Rail services to Sligo opened on December 3rd, 1862. The town was later connected by rail to Enniskillen, by the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway in 1879, and to Limerick in 1895.

The line to Enniskillen closed in 1957 and passenger services to Limerick closed in 1963. The Sligo to Limerick route is known as the Western Rail Corridor, part of which – the Ennis, Co Clare to Athenry Co Galway section – is due to reopen later this year.

Iarnród Éireann’s other rail crossings of the Shannon are at Athlone and between Limerick and Ennis.

Source: IrishTimes Link