Des McKibbin, Author at Research Matters

An image showing a street charger in Belfast

Are electric cars a realistic alternative to petrol and diesel in Northern Ireland today?

2nd November 20213rd November 2021 Des McKibbin

Reading Time: 9 minutes The UK Government has a vision where almost all cars and vans on UK roads will be electric by 2050.

Decarbonising road transport – The challenge is set

12th March 202116th March 2021 Des McKibbin

Reading Time: 8 minutes When the UK Government became the world’s first major economy to legislate for a ‘net zero’ target for carbon emissions

Image of a person wearing a mask on public transport

COVID-19 Transport

How will COVID-19 change our travel behaviour?

7th May 20207th May 2020 Des McKibbin

Reading Time: 5 minutes Transport policy has traditionally focused on changing the way people travel i.e. moving them from cars to public transport to

An image showing the clearing of the snow on Donegall Square North, Belfast [Image: Dean Molyneaux under Creative Commons 2.0)

Infrastructure Transport

Grit Expectations: How and when are our roads and footpaths salted during the winter season?

18th January 201813th November 2019 Des McKibbin Roads, winter planning

Reading Time: 6 minutes By Des McKibbin & Keara McKay As temperatures plummetted towards the end of November 2017, forecasters began to predict the

Transport

Is the continued provision of free travel for 60-64 year olds sustainable?

8th December 201728th March 2018 Des McKibbin Bus Policy

Reading Time: 7 minutes An ageing population and increasing budgetary pressures have forced the Scottish and Welsh Governments to ask whether it is sustainable

The border on Killeen School Road, near Newry (Image: Oliver Dixon, under Creative Commons)

Infrastructure Transport

Is road safety worse in the border region?

20th September 201727th March 2018 Des McKibbin Road Safety

Reading Time: 8 minutes Death and serious injury from road traffic collisions (RTCs) are tragic events bringing untold pain and suffering on families. At

Artist’s Impression of Belfast’s proposed ‘Transport Hub’ which has already received EU TEN-T funding during the planning phase and would have been eligible to compete for money as it moved into the capital phase.

Infrastructure Transport

How can the Department for Infrastructure fund delivery of its infrastructure pipeline?

20th March 201722nd November 2019 Des McKibbin public private partnerships

Reading Time: 6 minutes Northern Ireland’s infrastructure development was neglected for decades. There are now plans in place to rectify this but how this

A look back at the dualling of the A1; the main route between Belfast-Newry-Dublin. The new north-bound carriageway is on the left and carrying two-way traffic while the new south-bound carriageway is under construction on the right. The road opened on 23 November 2006.

Transport

Has transport investment been a priority for the Northern Ireland Executive? A comparison of transport expenditure across the UK

20th March 20175th July 2017 Des McKibbin Transport infrastructure

Reading Time: 6 minutes Overall public spending per capita is higher in Northern Ireland than in any of the other UK regions. However, the

Mullygarry, Fermanagh; after thirty-five consecutive days of rain in 2009, the water levels on Lough Erne rose to 158ft above sea level, the highest since records began in 1956 (image Dean Molyneaux, under Creative Commons).

Environment Infrastructure Water

Managing Flood risk in Northern Ireland: Are we prepared?

9th September 20166th January 2020 Des McKibbin Rivers and flooding

Reading Time: 3 minutes Prolonged heavy rainfall over the winter of 2015 has shown how devastating flooding can be to homes, businesses and critical

Aerial view of the newly constructed A8; officially opened in December 2015 this dualling scheme cost £133m

Transport

Is Northern Ireland’s transport infrastructure sufficient to support growth and competitiveness?

20th May 201618th September 2018 Des McKibbin Transport Strategy

Reading Time: 3 minutes As the Northern Ireland (NI) Executive seeks to grow the local economy during the forthcoming mandate, the quality and capacity

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