The study, led by Prof Brian Caulfield (Director of Trinity’s Centre for Transport Research) and Matthew Wood, Research Assistant in the School of Engineering and Trinity’s Centre for Transport Research, gathered responses from almost 2,000 motorway users over a one-month period in spring 2026.  

Across the sample, 85% of respondents said their journey times had increased over the past year. More than half reported spending an additional 15 to 30 minutes on each trip.  

The findings also point to the strain this is placing on daily routines. Over half of respondents cited loss of time as a key issue, while many reported leaving earlier in an effort to manage delays.  

Wellbeing effects are also evident. The survey found that 42% of users said congestion is increasing their stress levels, with 34% reporting exhaustion linked to time spent in traffic. 

For many, there are limited alternatives. More than half of respondents said they rely on the M50 because other options are not viable, while others pointed to long or unreliable public transport journeys.  

The research also asked users to rank potential solutions. Investment in public transport emerged as the most widely supported option, alongside measures such as park-and-ride facilities along the M50 corridor.  

Prof Caulfield discussed the findings on RTÉ Radio 1, outlining how congestion is shaping travel behaviour and daily schedules across the Greater Dublin Area.  

The full analysis is available via RTÉ Brainstorm: 
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2026/0624/1579895-m50-congestion-drivers-survey-results-impacts-transport/ 

Listen to the radio interview: 
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22623820/ 

 

Prof Caulfield has also appeared on Today FM discussing the research and possible solutions:

https://www.todayfm.com/podcasts/the-last-word-with-matt-cooper/is-there-any-solution-to-the-m50s-traffic-problems