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Motorway incidents are frequent & varied in nature. Incident management on motorways is critical for both driver safety & road network operation. The expected duration of an incident is a key parameter in the decision-making process for control room operators, however, the actual duration for which an incident will impact the network is never known with true certainty. This paper presents a study which compares the ability of different machine learning algorithms to estimate the duration of motorway incidents on Ireland's M50 motorway, using an extensive historical incident database. Results show that the support vector machine has the best performance in most cases, but a different method may need to be used to improve accuracy in some situations. Results highlight the main challenges in accurately forecasting incident durations in real time & recommendations are made for improving prediction accuracy through systematic recording of various additional incident details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As locations of a distinctively Catholic faith, Mass Rocks are important historical, ritual and counter-cultural sites that present a tangible connection to Ireland's rich heritage for contemporary society. Recent authors have begun to fill a gap in published literature yet few go beyond traditional assumptions. This paper offers a more contemporary approach to the study of Mass Rocks based on extensive field research in county Cork. It argues for the introduction of new and innovative classifications that expand the accepted archaeological definition and proposes a set of criteria for the more robust verification of potential sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a spatially hierarchical, hydrogeomorphological stream classification, based on data collected in Ireland and reflecting our hypothesis that local (site scale) stream physical habitat characteristics are related to the physical properties of the extended reach within which a site is located, and, in turn, to the physical character of the catchment. Using a top-down approach, data on catchment, reach and site-scale stream physical properties were collected for 42 Irish headwater streams. The summary catchment properties (rock type, topography, soil type and hydrology) were extracted from secondary sources. Reach-scale physical controls on stream hydrogeomorphology (planform, gradient, degree of confinement, bed material) were assembled mainly from secondary sources. Site-scale information on the stream physical habitat mosaic was collected by field survey. Data analysis identified six new 'River Types' for steep mountain streams that extend a pre-existing classification system developed for English streams and rivers. Five of the new types with sufficient replication were associated with 'indicator' habitats and characteristic habitat assemblages. The classification method is simple to apply and so it is suitable for operational use. We believe that it is applicable beyond Ireland and England to other areas of northern and western Europe with similar climate−landscape conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]