TII Open Research Call 2022

Description

TII's Open Research Call for 2022 consists of the following projects: Lot 1: Methodologies for the sustainable management of earthworks as a means of rehabilitating degraded peatlands and enhancing the biodiversity of peatland habitats Lot 2: Assessment of Noise Impacts from National Roads Projects considering the World Health Organization Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region Lot 3: A Review of appropriate facilities for Age Friendly Active Travel Lot 4: Social Sustainability in the context of TII Active Travel schemes and Greenways - Empowering women to cycle Lot 1: Methodologies for the sustainable management of earthworks as a means of rehabilitating degraded peatlands and enhancing the biodiversity of peatland habitats. TII requires the development of this technical methodology for Proposed National Roads for all a) Planning and Design project phases, namely: Phase 0 – Scope and Pre-Appraisal; Phase 1 – Concept and Feasibility; Phase 2 – Options Selection; Phase 3 – Design and Environmental Evaluation; and Phase 4 – Statutory Processes as well as b) phase 5 – Construction. An important aspect of the project is that the proposed methodology must be developed proportional to the road project lifecycle phases and is practicable for that particular phase. The document will be well illustrated with graphics and photographs and will contain flowcharts and pro-forma forms as appropriate. The Guidance Documentation shall be published within 18 months of the commencement of the Services. Lot 3: Transport Infrastructure Ireland now seeks to replace Guidelines for the Treatment of Noise and Vibration in National Road Schemes (2004) and Good Practice Guidance for the Treatment of Noise during the Planning of National Road Schemes with a Standards Document regulating the noise impact assessment of ‘Proposed National Roads’ (PE) (ENV). The research will be conducted over two phases. Phase A shall require the Contractor to complete three tasks: • Task 1: Undertake research on the implications of both WHO ENG and the EU Action Plan for TII in developing proposed national road projects. • Task 2: Undertake research into the most appropriate calculation methodology to be implemented on proposed national roads in Ireland with a specific emphasis on CNOSSOS-EU and CRTN (including any planned updates/amendments) • Task 3: Undertake a literature review of national and international (with a specific focus on European) guidance, approaches, and best practice in the assessment of noise impacts on national road projects Note: There are interdependencies between the three Phase A tasks. The Contractor shall consider and address these interdependencies when conducting research. Upon acceptance of final Phase A deliverables by TII, Phase A shall be considered complete. Phase B shall commence upon completion of Phase A. Phase B shall require the Contractor to complete two tasks: • Task 4: Prepare a Standards Document regulating the noise impact assessment of Proposed National Roads for TII and shall be informed by the research findings of Phase A. • Task 5: Complete a Whole Life Costs Analysis as part of Phase B. Lot 6: The aim of the project is to identify the specific need for the design of appropriate facilities for Age Friendly Active Travel in Ireland to improve safety performance within this cohort. The scope of the research should examine all forms of active travel including pedestrians, cyclists, and the use of mobility aids and including personal powered transport (i.e., e-scoters and the like). It should identify the current design principles and standards available; any design advises gaps that exist, the current levels of use in practice among professionals and any barriers to their use. The findings of the research should provide clear conclusions and recommendations to allow for the required change is policy or standards to be made. The research proposal should include the following: 1. Literature review. 2. Stakeholder engagement and data collection with appropriate age action committees and groups. 3. Consultation with Consultants, Local Authorities. 4. 3 to 5 Case Studies of best design practice 5. Design Workshop informed by the literature review, stakeholder engagement and the case studies. and participants Feedback. 6. Conclusions and Recommendations. 7. Final Report incorporating final versions of 1 to 6 above. Lot 10: TII conducted the Travelling in a Woman’s Shoes study to get a better understand women's travel patterns and needs in the Irish context. The findings from this report found that women in Ireland ranked cycling as the lowest mode choice with regard to 'being safe', 'being child friendly' and with regard to 'being less stressful', time to myself' and 'I can rely on it'. The report also highlighted that only 1.8% of women cycle to work compared to 4.2% of men. During the ethnographic interviews conducted by TII as part of the 2020 study, many of the women interviewed confirmed that they would cycle more if the right conditions were in place and explained that this does not just mean having the physical infrastructure in place. TII wishes to get a better understanding of what is required to create the right conditions to empower women to choose cycling as a desirable and feasible mode of choice and address the current data gap that exists regarding cycling patterns, needs, challenges and barriers for women in Ireland. The findings of this research will inform and influence the design and development of future Greenways and the National Cycling Network. The research will be conducted over two phases. Phase 1 will be a literature review and discovery phase which will pull together all existing gender disaggregated data to present the current situation in Ireland and internationally and will draw comparisons. This will be followed by Phase 2 which will involve both qualitative ethnographic research via individual interviews in addition to quantitative research via survey, and Analysis of the results and findings and the production of a final report (digital and paper formats) in a similar style and format to TII’s Travelling in a Woman’s Shoes report. A PowerPoint presentation is also required highlighting the key insights and findings from the study and will accompany the report.