RICCARTON ROAD TRAFFIC

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27425, 11 August 1954, Page 6

RICCARTON ROAD TRAFFIC

TALLY SHOWS BIG INCREASE

On a Friday last June between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. a motor vehicle passed a given point on Riccarton road every three seconds. This is one of the interesting facts disclosed by a traffic tally taken in Riccarton road in the middle of June by the Transport Department. Details of the tally were, given to the Riccarton Borough Countil by Cr. C. E. Trippner. During the week of the tally 70,953 vehicles passed along the road. On the basis of a tally taken four years previously this was a 38 per cent, increase in the volume of traffic. The busiest days in the week in order were: Friday, Wednesday, Thursday and Tuesday. The busiest hours in order were: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

On. Friday afternoon between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. 1195 vehicles passed the tally point—one every three seconds. After darkness nearly 20,000 vehicles passed along the road in the week. This was more than 27 per cent, of the total traffic. Cr. Trippner said that between midnight and 1 a.m. on Saturday the road was as busy as on an ordinary afternoon.

The busiest periods for cross traffic at Clarence street and Straven road were found to correspond “more or less” with through traffic. During the Week traffic checked “facing north” totalled 6500 vehicles and “facing south” 7600. Details of the census were referred to the council’s finance and by-laws committee for consideration.