Wayfinding Centre, Glasnevin, Dublin 9

The Wayfinding Centre is the world’s first transport training centre focused on making public transport more accessible to people with disabilities. It provides a safe indoor environment that replicates the real-world experience of using public transport in terms of lighting, acoustics, hazards, and the built environment that surrounds public transport.

Located in the former Smurfit Kappa Printworks site on the Botanic Road, Glasnevin, the centre houses an Airbus A319, a DART carriage, a LUAS module, a Bus Eireann coach, a double decker bus, and a taxi. It features an airport journey zone, platforms, cycle lanes, bus shelters, and pedestrian lights.

There are currently 1.1 million people in Ireland with a disability. However, it is estimated that as little as 6% use public transport on a regular basis., with lack of training and confidence cited as a key reason for this low number. The centre is aiming to increase that figure by simulating real-world public transport scenarios and providing familiarisation training aimed at boosting the confidence of people with access needs. It will also serve as a training ground for transport staff, designers, academics, and policy makers responsible for making our transport systems more inclusive for those with mobility issues or visual impairments.

The centre is the brainchild of Vision Ireland, the national sight loss agency. It was delivered as a design and build contract, with Oak Project Management acting as the main contractor.

Roughan & O’Donovan (ROD) acted as both project manager and employer’s representative on the scheme. We applied our established procedures to the scheme, holding regular progress meetings and separate design meetings to ensure project information was provided to the relevant parties as well as the various funding bodies and transport module providers.  We ensured the cooperative approach adopted by the contractor, employer and stakeholders was maintained and strengthened throughout the project.

ROD’s commitment to stakeholder management was crucial to maintaining programme and managing project cost. The stakeholder group included Vision Ireland, the National Transport Authority (NTA), Dublin City Council (DCC), Irish Rail, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), AerCap, Bus Eireann, Go-Ahead, Shannon Airport, the Smurfit Kappa Group, and Oak Project Management. Our work in establishing a common set of objectives and facilitating clear and consistent messaging with the wider stakeholder group has been rewarded with overwhelming end user buy in.

ROD was asked to step into the role of project manager and employer’s representative after the contract had been awarded.  We therefore had a much shorter time to familiarise ourselves with the Works Requirements and the information already provided by the contractor. 

The centre is dedicated to the three pillars of sustainability – environmental, social, and economic.

It is based in an older building in Glasnevin, Dublin 9, that had fallen out of use and into disrepair. The DART carriage, double-decker bus, coach and A319 modules are created from transport vehicles donated to the scheme for the purpose of providing additional use beyond their original life.

In terms of social impact, the centre seeks to empower people with disabilities through training experience, knowledge, and the opportunity to explore all aspects of transport in a safe and controlled environment.  At the same time, transport staff, built environment professionals, designers, academics, and policy makers will have the opportunity to access the learning opportunities the centre provides. 

During construction, the project provided significant economic benefits to the local supply chain and employment opportunities for the local community. 

• Project management
• Contract administration