DESIGN-DRIVEN INNOVATION: A PROPOSAL FOR IMPROVING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LOGISTICS IN IRELAND THROUGH A MODAL SHIFT TO COASTAL VESSELS

Increased awareness of an over reliance on fossil fuels and the need to reduce transport CO2 emissions (formalised in EU and national directives) has brought into sharp focus the need for energy efficient transport modes for passengers and freight. An IEA report proposed that shifting freight from energy intensive modes such as road and air to rail and shipping should be a priority for many countries. Comparing energy use by sector for EU-28, Ireland has the highest percentage energy consumption for transport at 40% compared to an EU-28 average of 33%, as it has the highest reliance on road infrastructure for freight transport at 99.1% compared to the EU-28 average of 75.5%. Ireland does not use the inland waterways for freight transport compared to an EU-28 average of 6.7%. This paper presents Design-Driven Innovation scenarios for the use of the coastal waterways of Ireland for both freight and tourism, based on the EU MoS (Motorways of the Sea) proposal. There are two key objectives of the EU MoS proposal, to reduce road transport congestion by direct replacement with water based transport routes and to reduce transport CO2. The congestion aspect relates to the cost of motorway infrastructure and the delays in journey time. Two Design-Driven Innovation scenarios are proposed, on for each coast. An MoS scenario for the East coast based on the technical innovation of the Incat Francisco, which can compete with road transport due to having a top speed of 100Km/h combined with a fine dining experience for luxury tourism. A Wild Atlantic Way by sea scenario for the west coast proposes the use of the BMT Alaskan high speed ferry, which facilitates luxury tourism through fully integrated media and fine dining, and a passenger hydrofoil with the design meaning of a first class train. Both of these vessels are capable of travelling at 60km/h, offering tourists reduced transit time and spectacular views of the rugged coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way. This proposed transport innovation would enable tourist to travel to more locations in a given holiday, due to reduced travel times, resulting in increased expenditure.