The National Roads Authority

Albert DalyNRA Research Manager

Duties include: Develop research strategy for NRA Develop relationships withing NRA Develop relationships in Ireland and internationally Manage research projects

National Roads Authority

• Established by Ministerial order under Section 16 of the Roads Act, 1993, with effect from 1 January, 1994.

• An autonomous body whose role is set out in Acts of the Oireachtas.

• Operates within the non-commercial semi-state sector (ie, not a trading entity).

NRA Functions

• To secure the provision of a safe and efficient network of national roads

• Preparing/arranging preparation of

- Road Designs

- Maintenance

- Traffic Signs on national roads.

National Road Network

In Ireland, roads are the dominant mode of internal transport accounting for 89% of freight transport, and 96% of passenger transport

National Primary Roads

National Secondary Roads

N13

N14

N56

N15

N3

N16N59

N4

N61

N59

N59

N26

N5 N5

N84 N83N60

N63

N18

N61N4

N4

N2N12

N54

N2

N1

N52

N1

N52N55

N87

N52

N3

N6

N51

N66

N65

N67

N18

N85

N68

N62

N52N80

N7 N80

N80

N81

N9

N11

N78

N30

N10

N25

N24

N25

N76

N72N8

N22

N20

N21

N72

N72

N28N27

N71

N69

N24

N74

N8

N31

The National RoadsThe National RoadsNetworkNetwork

National Primary 2754km

National Secondary 2685km

National Primary Roads

• National Primary roads are the major long distance through routes linking the principal ports, airports, cities and large towns.

• Account for 3% of the total road network but carry 32% of total traffic by road.

• 2/3rds of the traffic is work related.

National Secondary Roads

• Medium distance through routes connecting important towns, and linking to the national primary routes.

• Accounts for 3% of the network and 11% of total traffic.

NRA Functions

• Securing the carrying out of construction, improvement, maintenance works, grant payments, training, research/testing activities.

• Preparing medium term development plans.

• Promoting the case for EU assistance.

• Promoting the provision of private funding.

• Making toll schemes.

Relationship with Local Authorities/Regional Design Offices

• Partnership arrangement in developing and maintaining national roads.

• NRA funds projects and advises/approves design, contracts, etc

Relationship with Local Authorities/Regional Design Offices

• LAs undertake on the Authority’s behalf:• detailed design

• contract documentation

• tendering procedures

• supervision of works

• Allocations provided annually to L.A.s to recoup expenditure on projects

Transport 21 Plan

• Launched by the Irish Government in November 2005

• Integrated Transport Plan for Ireland 2006-2015

• 16.2 Billion Euro Investment in National Road Development

Transport 21 Plan

Complete Five Major Interurban Motorways

Dublin – Belfast

Dublin – Galway

Dublin – Limerick

Dublin – Cork

Dublin - Waterford

TRL Career 1998-2007Bridge assessment

Development of BD 44Load testingDeterioration, corrosionBridge management systems

Structural testingSite testsLaboratory testsImpact

Fibre reinforced polymersAerodynamicsInternational

IndonesiaViet NamEurope