CITY OF AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1931, Page 3

CITY OF AUCKLAND.

WELL PLANNED BY PIONEERS. STEADY GROWTH OF TRAFFIC NEEDS OF THE FUTURE. "In spite of some inherent imperfections. Auckland was planned with as great a degree of foresight as was then possible," said the city engineer, Mr. James Tyler, in an address at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon to-day. Mr. Tyler recalled that the original plan of Auckland was drawn by the first surveyor-general. Mr. Felton Matthew. The principal feature was a circus where Albert Park now is, and a system of radial or rinji roads from the centre, serving a limited area with chess board configurations for the area west of Queen Street- The first streets were formed in 1844 and the metalling was carried out as relief works. He -said that true principles of city planning should embody the fundamental basis of municipal economy and working efficiency. In connection with future traffic outlets in Auckland, it was essential to undertake a comprehensive survey of all traffic movements and kindred subjects. Extensive investigations .had been made, and data collectcd had been carefully correlated. Auckland's population was distributed fiver a wide area. The main business of the city was confined to some 400 acres, and the population had doubled itself during the last 2C years. The main causes of traffic congestion were the location of existing outlets, as governed by natural topographical barriers, expanse in commercial and industrial activities, increase of population, and rapid development of suburban areas, increasing height and density of buildings, expansion of transit services, increase in motor traffic, and the absence in the past of sufficient legislative authority to enforce proper co-ordina-tiop in the roading of adjoining estates. Mr. Tyler said that in comparison with other cities of similar age and size Auckland had been singularly fortunate in regard to facilities for traffic distribution and circulation. A careful survey had been made of the traffic flow in Auckland, and a. feature disclosed was the lack of directness in movement from the centre of activity to the outer districts. Considering the volume travelling on the principal lines, it was found° the heaviest travelled line was the Grafton Bridge intersection, but between the maximum and average flow there was a more marked fluctuation than at any other intersection in the city. Credit was due to the manner in which traffic was controlled at the intersections in the city. Mr. Tyler gave figures showing the number of street accidents in the "inner business area as compared with those over the remainder of the metropolitan area, and said that it was essential when considering the problem of future outlets, that due cognisance should be taken of the danger zone.