FULL-TIME POST

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 13

FULL-TIME POST

First Traffic Engineer The first fully qualified traffic engineer to be employed full-time by the Transport Department in Christchurch began work there this week. He is Mr D. Andreissend, of Christchurch, who has just returned from completing post-graduate studies in traffic engineering at the University of New South Wales. As a traffic engineer he will be responsible for all traffic problems posed by local bodies in the whole of the South Island north of the Waitaki river.

Mr Andreissend explained that his was largely a consultative position covering traffic matters in the broadest concept. “The job of traffic engineer is to advise on such matters as accident records, vehicle dynamics, traffic studies, driver psychology, installation of traffic lights and signs,” he said. “Although this branch of engineering is relatively new to the Dominion, it is well established in the United States.”

The Transport Department began taking on traffic engineering cadets about 10 years ago. They received in-job training and finished their degrees on a part-time basis. Most then went overseas either to Australia or the United States for postgraduate work, said Mr Andreissend. One such cadet who has gained his degree will assist Mr Andreissend in Christchurch for about a year before going on to the University of New South Wales.