Professionals from across the highways and transportation sector gathered in Athlone on 23 April 2026 for the SoRSA Ireland Conference 2026: Safer town centres and housing developments, a full‑day event exploring best practice, policy and emerging challenges in road safety and street design. The conference was hosted by the Society of Road Safety Auditors (SoRSA) in collaboration with CIHT Republic of Ireland and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone. The event brought together practitioners, policymakers and industry experts to examine how safer, more sustainable town centres and residential developments can be delivered through effective road safety audits, inclusive design and evidence‑based approaches. Designed for those working in highways, transportation and road safety, the conference combined strategic discussion with practical learning.

The programme opened with a morning session focused on audits and policy, featuring presentations on home zones and shared streets, 30km/h zones and the relationship between quality audits and road safety audits. Speakers included representatives from Bruton Engineers, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Technological University Dublin, followed by a panel discussion. A second morning session explored active travel and emerging mobility, with presentations on designing for zero‑emission vehicles, e‑scooter considerations and pedestrian crossings. These sessions addressed how changing travel behaviours and new forms of mobility are influencing road safety outcomes in town centres and residential areas.

After a lunchtime networking opportunity, the afternoon programme turned to practice and safety, featuring expert‑led presentations, an interactive workshop and a session on collision investigation. Contributors from organisations including Sweco, the National Transport Authority, CST Group Consulting Engineers and TACC Traffic Accident Collision Consultants shared practical insights drawn from real‑world experience.

The conference highlighted the value of collaboration between professional bodies, public authorities and industry in advancing road safety standards. Speakers represented a wide range of organisations, reinforcing the multidisciplinary nature of road safety and street design. By focusing on town centres and housing developments, the SoRSA Ireland Conference 2026 examined settings where design decisions have a direct impact on safety, accessibility and quality of life. Through discussion of policy, audits, active travel and collision investigation, the conference contributed to ongoing efforts to improve road safety outcomes across Ireland.

If you would like to get more involved with SoRSA or CIHT Republic of Ireland, please contact them on sorsa@ciht.org.uk and republicofireland@ciht.org.uk.