May 9, 2024
As part of the Economic Impact Assessment, AECOM used Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s Tool for Economic Appraisal of Active Modes (TEAM Tool) to undertake a Cost Benefit Analysis for the use of active travel modes and the benefits the proposed development which could stimulate a greater demand for walking in Ennis. The TEAM Tool is a standard methodology used for projects of this nature in Ireland.
As a public amenity that could stimulate greater demand for walking in Ennis, there are health benefits for both users and society associated with increased levels of physical activity in the area.
The following have been included as health benefits in Transport for Ireland’s Tool for Economic Appraisal of Active Modes (TEAM):
Reduced Mortality
TEAM uses the World Health Organisation’s (2017) Health Economic Assessment Tool methodology to estimate the benefits associated with a reduction in relative mortality risk due to increased levels of walking and cycling.
Workplace Absenteeism
Increasing physical activity increases productivity in the economy by reducing short term sick leave. This is measured from the median absenteeism rate for short term sick leave for both private and public sectors, respectively and applied to employment tables and assumptions around the health benefits from 30 minutes of physical activity per day.
Pedestrian Demand Analysis Results
The CRUSE Tool[1], CSO Data by Electoral Divisions (ED) from 2016 to 2022 and Telraam Traffic monitoring system[2] were used to inform the following demand analysis:
| Daily Pedestrian Demand | Commuters | Recreational | Domestic Visitors | International Visitors | Total |
| Re-routing Pedestrian Demand |
1,243 |
62 |
64 |
0 |
1,369 |
| Newly Attracted Pedestrian Demand |
830 |
43 |
43 |
10 |
926 |
|
Total |
2,295 |
||||
TEAM Tool calculated the total health benefit to be €7,002,960 which is broken down as follows:
|
Calculation of Health Benefits |
Health Benefit € |
| Reduction in Mortality |
€6,591,519 |
| Reduction in Workplace Absenteeism |
€411,441 |
| TEAM Health Benefit Combined |
€7,002,960 |
Other Benefits:
- Green spaces can help tackle mental illness, obesity, anti-social behaviour and health inequalities.
- Contact with green spaces can reduce symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Urban green spaces act as “lungs of the town” improving air quality, regulating temperatures and humidity.
[1] Available at https://cruse.bike/
2 Available at https://telraam.net/#16/52.8440/-8.9837
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