Research Papers 2016
Synopsis: Below you will find details of Research Publications which have been prepared by the Research and Information Service (RaISe) for the Committee for Infrastructure in 2016.
Selected causes of fatal and serious road traffic collisions in Northern Ireland
- Date: 01/11/2016
This Briefing Paper presents information on selected causes of fatal and serious road traffic collisions in Northern Ireland. This information was requested by the Committee for Infrastructure at its meetings on 28 September 2016 and 05 October 2016. The paper presents data on fatal and serious road traffic collisions caused by the driver or rider being impaired by alcohol or by drugs; mobile phone use; vehicle defects and by distraction by action inside or outside the vehicle.
Examining Best Practice in Road Safety Management
- Date: 04/10/2016
The purpose of this paper is to examine recent road safety policy interventions and wider environmental factors. It follows a recent RaISe publication on trends in road traffic collisions (NIAR 58-16). This paper will also provide an overview of approaches taken to road safety management in Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark, which like the UK, are among world leaders in road safety.
Implications of Brexit for Transport and Water Policy
- Date: 06/09/2016
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and its arms-length-bodies maintain and develop infrastructure and services that support economic and social activity in Northern Ireland. This includes our water and sewerage networks, rivers and flood defence, roads and footpaths, and public transport services. Significantly, these areas (broadly speaking transport and water) are subject to substantial input from the EU in the form of policy and regulation, financial support and knowledge exchange. Transport and water body policy/management are also areas that require a significant amount of cross-border co-operation. Therefore, Northern Ireland has a unique position among the UK regions in that it shares a land border with another EU Member State; this will require special consideration. The extent to which ‘Brexit’ will impact on the way these issues are dealt with, and ultimately on the work of DfI, is unknown and will depend entirely on the outcome of negotiations between the UK Government and the EU. The purpose of this section is to briefly outline the influence of the EU on the work of the DfI and to highlight issues that may require further consideration.
Gold Mining - Regulatory Responsibilities
- Date: 06/09/2016
As requested by the Committee for Infrastructure, the following paper considers gold mining in terms of departmental responsibilities, with a particular focus on the role of the Department for Infrastructure.
Coastal Erosion in Northern Ireland.pdf
- Date: 06/09/2016
This paper examines the policy response of the UK and Irish administrations to the threat of flooding and coastal erosion, and compares these to the approach being taken in Northern Ireland. This is presented in the context of current climate projections which indicate that climate change and natural land movements will cause rising sea levels and higher storm surges for UK coasts, increasing the risk of coastal erosion and flooding.
Building Resilience Flooding in Northern Ireland National Flood Forum Workshop Summary
- Date: 06/09/2016
The following paper gives a summary of the Building Resilience: Flooding in Northern Ireland National Flood Forum Workshop and Discussion 29 June 2016 hosted by the National Flood Forum and Watertight to discuss both local and national responses to flooding in Northern Ireland. The purpose of the event was to bring together people who have been affected by flooding, as well as a range of organisations who have an interest in the area, to share experience and expertise. It featured contributions from different organisations including community groups, as well as the National Flood Forum, who gave an overview of how they have been effective in England, Wales and Scotland, and to potentially develop a similar network in Northern Ireland
An Overview of the Integrated Transport Pilot
- Date: 06/09/2016
This paper provides an overview of the ‘Integrated Transport Pilot’ co-ordinated by the Department for Regional Development (DRD) during the previous NI Assembly mandate (2011-16) and within the old departmental structures. This paper includes: an introduction to the pilot scheme including its aims and objectives; an assessment of the impact of the pilot as reported in the evaluation report; an overview of lessons learnt as identified in the evaluation report; and an update of plans being brought forward. The information provided in this paper is derived almost exclusively from correspondence between the DRD and Committee for Regional Development (CRD) between January 2013 and February 2016. It is intended to bring members up-to-date with this initiative in advance of any further correspondence with the DfI on this subject.
Legislative and policy response to the risk of coastal erosion and flooding in the UK and Ireland
- Date: 07/09/2016
This paper examines the policy response of the UK and Irish administrations to the threat of flooding and coastal erosion, and compares these to the approach being taken in Northern Ireland. This is presented in the context of current climate projections which indicate that climate change and natural land movements will cause rising sea levels and higher storm surges for UK coasts, increasing the risk of coastal erosion and flooding.
Potential areas of interest for the Committee for Infrastructure
- Date: 01/06/2016
This paper provides members of the Committee for Infrastructure with an overview of the functions of the Department for Infrastructure, including an analysis of its budgetary allocations in 16/17 and beyond, a summary of some of the key issues from 2011-16 mandate relevant to the work of DfI, and an assessment of work streams the committee may wish to consider when preparing its forward work plan.
