The National Household Travel Survey 2022 is a nationwide study of Ireland’s travel habits. This is the first of what will be the annual publication of the survey. Previously NTA undertook and published the National Household Travel Survey 2022 (NHTS) every year / annually as Action 69, Goal 8 of the government of Ireland’s Sustainable Mobility Policy.
The report attached is a revised report, delivered to the NTA on 7th March 2024 – updating from the previously uploaded version (Aug 2023). It contains a revised and corrected approach to reporting transport mode shares, including several technical corrections.
In terms of outcomes from the survey, the NHTS 2022, highlights the dominance of car travel, with almost seven in 10 (69%) trips being made by car across Ireland. This is in line with the 2022 Census results.
While car is the primary mode of transport being used, variances have been recorded by region. As expected a significant difference exists between those residing in Dublin City and Suburbs and those in Rural Areas; car usage in Dublin City and Suburbs registers at 53%, significantly ahead of the level recorded among rural dwellers of whom 80% used a car for their trips. Those living in the Greater Dublin Area also recorded lower car usage at 61%. This reflects the higher level of accessibility to public transport services in urban areas.
Bus/coach usage and cycling levels are highest in Dublin City and Suburbs at 9% and 5% respectively. At a national level, 20% of trips were made by walking. Those living in Dublin City and Suburbs, Regional Cities and the Greater Dublin Area are the most likely to make a trip by walking at 32%, 32% and 27% respectively, considerably ahead of their counterparts in Rural Areas of whom 9% walked.
The main reasons for travel nationally are for work/business (20%) and education (19%), closely followed by social reasons (entertainment or recreation, to participate in sport, go to pub or restaurant) at 18% and shopping at 17%.
The proportion reporting that they were travelling for work/business reasons is lowest among those living in Dublin City and Suburbs at 17% and those living in the Greater Dublin Area at 19%. This is likely to be down to different working patterns across the regions, the data shows those living in these areas are the most likely to work from home. Social trips are most prevalent among those living in Dublin City and Suburbs and the Greater Dublin Area at 20% respectively.
Previous versions of the National Househould Travel Survey
(for reference only – these used to be published every five years 2012, 2017, 2022
( note* updated in september to “every year / annually as Action 69, Goal 8 of the government of Ireland’s Sustainable Mobility Policy“)
