tfi smarter travel awards

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Transport for Ireland (TFI) Smarter Travel Behaviour Change Programme is a national voluntary programme which supports third-level educational institutions and workplaces to implement voluntary travel plans. These plans focus on promoting and encouraging students and staff to sustainably and actively commute to campus. The National Transport Authority (NTA) Smarter Travel Survey is an integral tool that is used in this process.

Smarter Travel Awards Student Competition

The Smarter Travel Student Awards invite students to develop a project that supports, facilitates and/or enables sustainable and/or active travel modes to, from, and on campus that is relevant to their field of study and interest.

Ready, Set, Cycle for Summer

The Ready, Set, Cycle programme provides a toolkit and resources for Smarter Travel Partners to encourage and support students and staff to begin, continue or increase cycling on their commute and beyond. Participants will have the chance to win some great prizes.

Light Up Your Life Campaign

With the mornings and evenings getting darker as we head into the winter months, it’s important that cyclists are visible on their bikes with front and rear bike lights. As Smarter Travel Programme Partners TU Dublin has free bike lights to share to students and staff who commute by bike

Walktober is the Smarter Travel walking challenge that takes place annually in October. Campuses and workplaces across Ireland take part in the challenge and teams compete to win prizes.

Smarter Travel Marchathon step challenge takes place 04-31 March 2024. Campuses and workplaces across Ireland take part in the challenge. Set up a team now and compete to win prizes

Bike Week 2024

Bike Week will be celebrated at TU Dublin between 13 - 17 May

How we travel to TU Dublin

In 2022 TU Dublin was given the opportunity to input into a revised survey design that could better inform our needs as we plan towards being carbon neutral by 2040. With three campuses across five locations, each with different geographical contexts, there was a need for the survey to capture the diverse needs of those travelling to each. In addition, under the Public Sector Mandate for Climate Action TU Dublin has a responsibility to develop a Sustainable Mobility Plan to reduce scope 3 carbon emissions, which constitute a substantial portion of TU Dublin’s carbon footprint. Any such plan requires that we take a University-wide approach to our transport and mobility supporting actions. The TU Dublin Sustainability Office worked in conjunction with the NTA to distribute and analyse the survey in order to inform a University overview of requirements. This 2022 Travel Survey report outlines the key findings.

Between February and May 2023, TU Dublin conducted a Travel Survey Feedback Roadshow to 20 staff and student leadership groups across the University. This roadshow served to feed back the results of the data collection and to note what data was most interesting to support more students and staff to travel sustainably to campus.

As part of actions outlined in the recently published  TU Dublin Climate Action Roadmap March 2023 TU Dublin is endeavouring on an ambitious plan to support more students and staff to arrive to campus by sustainable and active travel.

Student & Staff Smarter Travel Survey TU Dublin

Next data collection November 2024

2022 Results

2020 Results

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

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TRIP - Centre for Transport Research and Innovation for People

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Trinity College Dublin's School of Engineering is proud to announce the success of its students at the Smarter Travel Student Awards Ceremony.

Dr. Gareth Bennett Associate Professor, Mechanical, Manufacturing & Biomedical Engineering won his third Lecturer Special Contribution Award and many groups of Professor Bennett’s students from his Design (2MEMS3) and Universal Design Innovation (3B9) modules were finalists at the ceremony.

Professor Bennett stated:

“It is fantastic to see Trinity Engineering students excelling at this competition once again this year. The decisions our engineering students will make in their careers will influence the environment. We must help ensure they keep sustainability to the forefront of their actions”

The Finalists from Trinity College Dublin were:

• The Alert project , with team members Alexandra Phelan, Cian Shanahan, Liam MacDougald, Sean Ryan, Alena Gerasimova and Oisin O’Neill
• The Beacon project , with team members Craig Gillespie, Gráinne Lavelle, Michael Connolly, Simon Connell, Ailbhe Nic Cormaic and Tadhg Keller
• The Droichead project , with team members Keela Duffy Naughton, Mark Brady, Sophie Dolan, Erin Hegarty and Ciara Mulligan
• The BiClaw project , with team members David Allen-Taylor, Andrew Murphy, Michele Turco, Ashley Palermo, Zach Adeniyi, Rory Staunton and David Rock
• The LeapLocker project , with team members Saoirse McGlinn, Alexandra Duffy, Artur Amolins, Eoghan Manning, Henry Gallagher and Spencer Brehhov

The ceremony, held at the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield, announced the winners of various categories, with Trinity College Dublin teams securing two of the three awards in the Engineering & Innovation category.

Category 1: Engineering & Innovation: Technology

The Project "Beacon" team consisting of Craig Gillespie, Gráinne Lavelle, Michael Connolly, Simon Connell, Ailbhe Nic Cormaic and Tadhg Keller (from 2MEMS3) won with their innovative Beacon system. This system for Dublin Bus encourages those with visual impairments and other disabilities to use public transport by making it more accessible. Using the inbuilt map, Beacon facilitates users by navigating them to their bus stop, and communicates directly to the bus driver telling them when, where and who to stop for. The app also communicates any other additional requirements that the user could need (e.g. wheelchair ramp).

Category 1: Engineering & Innovation: Design

Team “BiClaw” consisting of David Allen-Taylor, Andrew Murphy, Michele Turco, Ashley Palermo, Zach Adeniyi, Rory Staunton and David Rock won the Design category for their inventive bike storage device, designed to integrate into existing bus networks. The project aims to facilitate seamless transport between rural areas and bus networks, allowing commuters to bring their bike on board through an integrated storage system within the buses.

The winners received an environmentally sustainable laser-cut wooden medal, a certificate of achievement and one-for-all vouchers for each team member. The success of Trinity College Dublin's students in the Smarter Travel Student Awards is a testament to their innovation, creativity and commitment to sustainable transport solutions.

For more information on the awards and a full list of finalists and winners, visit: https://www.nationaltransport.ie/tfi-smarter-travel/smarter-travel-campus/smarter-travel-student-awards/finalists-smarter-travel-student-awards .

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Smarter Travel Student Awards

The Smarter Travel Student Awards organised by the National Transport Authority invite students to develop a project that supports, facilitates and/or enables sustainable and active travel modes to, from, and on campus that is relevant to their field of study and interest.

All students who enter will have their project reviewed and judged by an independent Judging Panel who are experts in their industry. Finalists will be invited to attend the National Student Awards Ceremony, where their project will be showcased, with the Winners in each Category being announced on the day.

Lecturers and academic staff from third level campuses around Ireland are encouraged to get involved with the Student Awards by incorporating the Awards into their graded coursework. Not only does this give students the opportunity to participate in and experience the benefits of a practical project, it provides a platform to develop their CV and professional portfolio, relevant to their field of study. If you are a Lecturer and would like to schedule a call with the Smarter Travel Team to discuss the Student Awards further, and to organise a student briefing for your students, please email [email protected].

Who can enter?

The Smarter Travel Student Awards are open to all students of TFI Smarter Travel Campus Partners. UCD is a Smarter Travel Campus partner.

Students can enter individually or as a group of up to four students. Past entries have included but are not limited to digital marketing promotions, sustainable travel campaigns, active travel challenges, production of radio adverts, videos and animations, design of sustainable travel apps, development of devices to support smarter travel, and many more.

Key Dates: Semester 1 Entry Deadline Semester 2 Entry Deadline National Student Awards Ceremony 5pm on Monday, 19th December 2022 5pm on Monday, 27th March 2023 Thursday, 27th April, 2023

Check here to learn more about the awards, past winners and how to enter.

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Belfield Campus

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Smarter Travel Mark launched by Minister Eamon Ryan

• The Pathfinder Programme delivers a new Smarter Travel Mark, which will recognise and celebrate workplaces and campuses that encourage sustainable travel.
• Organisations can now apply for the Mark at smartertravelmark.ie

The Smarter Travel Mark launched by Minister Eamon Ryan

The Smarter Travel Mark was launched today by Minister Eamon Ryan and is one of the 35 Pathfinder projects that are being developed nationwide. The Smarter Travel Mark is a certification that recognises and celebrates organisations that support active and sustainable travel and a reduction in single-person car usage amongst their staff, students and visitors. Any size employer from the private or public sectors can apply for the Smarter Travel Mark.

The operation of the Mark is fully funded by the Department of Transport and managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) so there is no fee for businesses to apply for the mark.

The Pathfinder Programme – benefits to individuals, communities, businesses, public spaces and society

Minister Eamon Ryan said : “The Pathfinder Programme is focused on demonstrating the wide range of benefits that come from sustainable and active transport projects – benefits to individuals, communities, businesses, public spaces and society – through improved safety, accessibility, air quality and health. They are innovative, ambitious and will be delivered at speed. Decarbonising transport presents an enormous challenge, one which requires a fundamental change in how we travel including a shift in our mindset and choices. The Smarter Travel Mark will recognise organisations that facilitate and encourage behaviour change amongst their staff, visitors, customers, service users and students towards sustainable and active travel. This change will lead to reduced car parking requirements, an increase in uptake of the Cycle to Work Scheme and an increase in carpooling.”

The Minister added “I’m particularly keen that public sector bodies strive to attain the Mark. The recent Climate Action Plan encourages them to do so and to lead on the provision of sustainable mobility hubs in the workplace and all mechanisms to support a reduction in car-based commuting where possible.  The public sector can be the champions for this change in this area.”

Minister of State Jack Chambers said: “ I would encourage organisations to work towards this new and important certification which will help support their staff and customers to make the shift towards sustainable travel. The Smarter Travel Mark is open to organisations of all sizes who can demonstrate a real commitment to enabling their staff to use public transport, walk and cycle. If we are to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, then we all have to take action and this is a simple measure which employers can take which will have a widespread impact.”

Anne Graham, Chief Executive Officer at the NTA

Anne Graham, Chief Executive Officer at the NTA said: “ The continued delivery of key transport projects such as Active Travel infrastructure, BusConnects and Connecting Ireland are helping to increase active and sustainable travel and lowering carbon emissions. Employer led sustainable travel initiatives are essential to reducing the impact of our collective dependence on the car as a mode of travel. Reducing carbon emissions and alleviating traffic congestion is a priority.  Part of the solution is to change behaviours regarding walking, cycling, public transport usage and carpooling on the commute and beyond.

Workplaces and campuses can be part of the solution by implementing measures that facilitate, support and encourage sustainable travel options for their workforce, students and visitors. The Smarter Travel Mark will award and recognise organisations that are committed to doing this.”

Siobhán Hamilton, Smarter Travel Programme Manager at the NTA

Siobhán Hamilton, Smarter Travel Programme Manager at the NTA said: “T he Smarter Travel Mark will be available to organisations of all sizes that can demonstrate a commitment to active and sustainable travel. Many adults who are not attracted to sports and other leisure time physical activities, may be motivated to integrate physical activity into their everyday lives, be that by self-powering their commute or walking/cycling to public transport. Where a site is not served by public transport and where active travel infrastructure is not in place, carpooling can be part of the solution. Where feasible, organisations will be encouraged to unlock car drivers’ habits by rewarding staff for giving up car parking spaces and thus reducing the amount of space needed for car parking at their site. ”

Register your organisation’s interest

To register your organisation’s interest in applying for the Smarter Travel Mark, please visit www.smartertravelmark.ie

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THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest academic honour in Ireland.

Royal Irish Academy awarded a Bronze Smarter Travel Mark

This award signifies the RIA's commitment to putting measures in place that support sustainable and active commuting, and further Smarter Travel actions.

Representatives of the RIA's Green Team were presented with the award by Siobhán Hamilton, Smarter Travel Programme Manager, National Transport Authority (NTA).

TFI Smarter Travel works with large employers and third level campuses to encourage and promote sustainable and active commuting. TFI Smarter Travel is a behaviour change programme working with large employers to implement voluntary Workplace Travel Plans that promote and encourage sustainable and active commuting.

A growing number of Irish employers are engaging in Smarter Travel, working with their employees to facilitate travel choices in favour of more sustainable transport – resulting in reduced costs, enhanced employee wellbeing, better access, and more effective parking management.

Photograph (L-R): Siobhán O'Sullivan, RIA Executive Director, Hugh Shiels, Facilities Manager, Síle Lane, Membership and Engagement Manager, Siobhán Hamilton (NTA) and Aifric Downey, Administration and Marketing Executive, Publications.

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Smarter Travel Mark

Express your interest, download the brochure, introducing the smarter travel mark.

The Smarter Travel Mark is a three tier certification that recognises and celebrates organisations that support active and sustainable travel on the commute and beyond for their workforce, students and visitors, resulting in a reduction in single-person car usage.  

Watch the introductory video here:

Congratulations to the organisations that have been awarded the Smarter Travel Mark, demonstrating their commitment to changing attitudes and behaviours regarding walking, cycling, public transport usage and carpooling, by implementing measures that facilitate, support and encourage sustainable travel options for their workforce and visitors.

Certification levels:

Who can apply for the Smarter Travel Mark?

Application for the Smarter Travel Mark is open to workplaces and campuses of any size from the private or public sectors.

How the Smarter Travel Mark supports your organisation:

• Provides national recognition of your organisation’s commitment to active and sustainable travel
• Promotes integrating physical activity into staff and student commuting
• Enhances your organisation’s reputation as an employer that supports active and sustainable travel
• Helps your organisation benchmark active and sustainable travel practices amongst peers

How to apply for the Smarter Travel Mark:

• Fill in the Expression of Interest form and you will be contacted by the Smarter Travel team.
• Attend an information webinar explaining the steps to achieving the Smarter Travel Mark.
• Submit the application form.
• Prepare for an on-line or on-site audit to verify the application.
• Organisations will be awarded the gold, silver or bronze Smarter Travel Mark certification or receive recommendations for improvement.

For more information on the steps to achieving the Smarter Travel Mark, please review the brochure below:

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Partners of the Smarter Travel Workplaces and Smarter Travel Campus programmes can register now to take part in fun walking, cycling and public transport challenges, and to win great prizes. Read more

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