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Transport Sector Overview (summary of Chapter 2)



A vital and interconnected system

Ireland’s transport system is a complex network that supports nearly every aspect of daily life and economic activity. It includes:

  • Roads: Covering national, regional, urban and local roads
  • Active travel infrastructure: Walking and cycling routes, footpaths, greenways and crossings
  • Buses: Urban, regional and rural bus services, along with associated infrastructure such as stops and shelters.
  • Rail: Heavy rail and light rail (for example, Luas)
  • Aviation: Airports and supporting infrastructure
  • Maritime transport: Ports and supporting infrastructure

Each of these systems plays a role in keeping people and goods moving, whether that’s commuting to work, travelling to school, accessing healthcare or transporting goods.


One system, many users and operators

Unlike some sectors, transport infrastructure is:

  • geographically dispersed (urban and rural, inland and coastal)
  • used by everyone, but owned and operated by multiple organisations
  • closely linked across modes, what affects one part of the system (for example, road closures) can impact others (for example: rail, bus, freight routes)

The sector also includes a wide range of public and private stakeholders: national transport agencies, local authorities, infrastructure owners and operators, regulators, logistics firms and more.


A sector under growing pressure

In recent years, the transport system has faced increasing demands due to:

  • population growth and urbanisation
  • shifting travel patterns and remote work
  • expanding public transport and active travel infrastructure
  • greater pressure to cut emissions and support sustainable mobility

These trends all increase the system’s complexity and its exposure to climate-related disruption.


Why climate resilience matters

The transport sector is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather. Climate hazards can cause:

  • damage to roads, runways, rail lines and terminals
  • service delays or shutdowns
  • health and safety risks for users and workers
  • knock-on effects across other sectors (for example: supply chains, emergency response)

Some parts of the transport network are more exposed than others. T-SAP II provides a framework to understand these vulnerabilities and ensure the right actions are taken in the right places.

Learn more about how extreme weather has affected Ireland’s transport system in Chapter 2 of the plan