TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10279, 10 December 1924, Page 8

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

AMERICAN SOLUTIONS. MULTI-FLOOR GARAGES. AUCKLAND, December 9. Motor traffic control difficulties and the garaging- problem in large American cities were discussed by PoliceInspector E. Turbett, of Sydney, who is returning to Australia by the Niagara after a visit to the United States. The contour and peculiarities of the cities varied widely, and what was suitable for one city was probably not suitable for another, said Inspector Turbett, but the principal problem of them all was the control of waiting and parked vehicles. It seemed imperative that restriction of parking should be enforced. Tramcars also presented a difficulty, but whether they could be dispensed with was doubtful unless they could be superseded by an equally efficient underground railway or motor-'bus system. Inspector Turbett intimated that he had a recommendation to submit to the New South Wales Government concerning the question as to what extent an improved 'bus service would relieve, congestion in the streets of a city like Sydney. In this respect one-day street traffic had been introduced successfully in the United States.

To eliminate street parking and cope with motor-cars of the business community, Inspector Turbett favours multi-floor garages conveniently situated. In Seattle there were several garages of this type, one being built on the "stagger floor" system, whereby one-half of the garage was half a floor higher than the other half, the difference in levels being 9ft. The two floors were connected by> a ramp. A nine-storeyed building to accommodate 1000 cars, and another to provide for 600 cars, the same space to be used by three owners during the same day, were also mentioned. With this system in force it was anticipated that garaging fees would be reduced from 25 cents a day to 10 cents. Accommodation for a large number of cars was provided on vacant allotments in many American cities, principally due to the absence of any taxation on unimproved values; but Sydney did not have this advantage, and therefore the only solution lay in the use of multi-floor garages. There were about 500 privatelyowned 'buses in Sydney, continued Inspector Turbett, and consequently competition between proprietors as well as with trams was rife. Owing to the great evils of racing and loitering, the police had, a> difficult task in keeping control, and he did not think this would be obviated till a responsible coiiccrh. such as the London General Omnibus Company, 'owned all the 'buses. The most suitable American y 'buses were designed so that they were J narrow, and not so high as to obscure J vision of the following traffic. *