Commuting Behaviour and Car Ownership in Ireland

Abstract

Rapid economic, demographic and social change in Ireland over the past fifteen years, with associated increases in car dependence and congestion, has focused policy on encouraging more sustainable forms of travel. Data for journeys to work, school and college confirm the shift towards the private car. The proportions driving to work increased from 46 per cent in 1996 to 57 per cent in 2006, while the proportion of primary school students travelling as car passengers increased from 36 per cent in 1996 to 55 per cent in 2006, overtaking the proportions walking (24 per cent), which had traditionally been the primary means of transport to school for this age-group. In this context, knowledge of current travel patterns and their determinants is crucial. In a series of recent papers, ESRI researchers use micro-data from a variety of sources to examine various aspects of commuting behaviour and car ownership in Ireland.