More tolling on the crowded M50 would be unpopular but lead to reduced congestion, a professor in transport has argued. 

Journey times on the motorway have increased significantly in recent years, leading to huge frustration among commuters. 

On The Claire Byrne Show, Trinity’s Professor Brian Caulfied described the status quo as "definitely not working” and said there are multiple factors to blame. 

“There's too much traffic on it and in the past 20 years, the population of the Greater Dublin Area has increased by about 20%,” he explained. 

“Over the same time period, the population of cars on the island has increased by 40%.

“So, too much traffic, not enough space; we need to do something about the demand.” 

M50 motorway in Dublin. Picture by: Peter Cavanagh / Alamy Stock Photo.

Trinity College has launched a survey to ascertain the public’s view on their preferred solutions. 

Options include high occupancy vehicle lanes - which are common in North America - or greater investment in public transport. 

The installation of more bus based park and ride would also cut congestion. 

“You could also look at ways to reduce the impacts that collisions have by having better response management,” Professor Caulfied added. 

“You could increase the capacity on adjacent roads so people don't have to use the M50. 

“Then the final one will be to give people more information on the congestion they're likely to expect on the motorway.” 

Building another road would take time but would eventually divert traffic away from the M50. 

However, Professor Caulfied described this as a poor solution in the long-term. 

“If history has taught us anything in this country; basically build it and they will come and the roads will fill up with more traffic,” he argued. 

“So, I think looking at international examples and looking at our own experience would result in more urban sprawl and getting back to the same point that we would be in maybe 10, 20 years time.” 

Toll booths are seen on the M50. Picture by: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie

The most expensive option would be to build more railways, which would move large numbers of passengers at speed around the Great Dublin Area. 

“Back in the heyday of the Celtic Tiger, we did have a solution called Metro West, which was to be a west line that was kind of to traverse the M50,” Professor Caulfied said. 

“That one kind of died in the water and it never got off the ground.

“But those types of rail solutions, I think, are very viable.” 

'If the love was spread right across the M50'

The most effective solution that could be implemented in a relatively short period of time is also most likely the least popular - tolling. 

“TII actually did a study on this and it did show that there will be a reduction in congestion,”  Professor Caulfied said. 

“I suppose it's unpopular with the people that don't pay the toll. 

“I'm sure the people that do pay the toll, it would be popular if the love was spread right across the M50.” 

Whatever is decided, Professor Caulfied urged politicians to grasp the nettle and act fast. 

“Families are split up for a large part of the week because people have to leave early to get onto the M50 [with] the stress levels it's causing,” he said. 

“There's obviously the climate and the noise impacts that it's having as well. 

“So all of these things basically make for a corridor of very much unhealthy living and unhealthy lifestyles.

“We need to take a step and think, ‘Right, how can we fix it?’ Because we need to fix it.”

Main image: Toll payments on the M50. Picture by: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie