TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20152, 12 January 1929, Page 11 (Supplement)

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.

AN ENDEAVOUR TO SOLVE. Road transportation in populous centres 5s one of tho problems of the present. What it will be in another decade can only be imagined. One thing is certainit is going to be a complex and difficult matter to handle. In the capital cities of Australia and even in New Zealand the tiaffic at peak periods is already causing congestion. In U.S.A. with its 24,000,000 automobiles—as against Australia's 500,000 and New Zealand's 180,000 .—the cleverest brains are at work, endeavouring to solve the problem, and their efforts will no doubt bo watched •with interest by transit authorities iu this country. It is contended in America that existing street systems were not intended for automobilo traffic. Gradually they must be altered. Square corners must be rounded. Flatforrns for pedestrians, signals and pedestals at intersections to channelise traffic and prevent holdups, are examples of simplo installations. Traffic congestion is usually duo to lack of street capacity or to interference at intersections. Obstruction at crossings appears to be tho hub of the trouble. Some American experts are of the opinion that the only permanent solution is to separate tho different kinds of traffic either in parallel grooves or on different levels. Automobiles must be kept separate from trams, and both from pedestrians. Separate elevations or underpays must be provided at important autopiobile intersections. One U.S.A. authority goes so far as to state " that many decked streets are coming in America as certain as night follows day.'' There are only three physical possibilities, savs tho expert —the immediate stoppage of growth of cities, tho immediate decentralisation of population and industry, and tho separation of traffic. Which of tho three is tho most likely ? Only by elevating or deepening of streets can cities obtain the uecesFary separation and channelisation of traf tic in congested areas. Already there big indications in several of the largest cities in the States that chafiges in this direction arc coming. Trains and trams must go underground. The trouble is that all (lie most un-

jioitant methods of transport havo developed independently and separately, and the same may be said of capital city traffic in Australia. In U.S.A. it is contended that when a city's population reaches the million mark, only subway transit can successfully cope with peak rushes in congested areas. Tho point is stressed that m all great cities all means of movement pm.st be utilised. The solution appears to be —the right vehicle in the right place. A few years back the leading cities of Europe and America adopted the electric tram with enthusiasm as being the final word in, transportation, just as the automobile is |>o regarded to-day. Another important fact that must be {appreciated is that radial streets from a city are not sufficient., and circumferential roads must be provided to permit of traffic travelling from place to place, without being compelled to thread its way through congested city streets. The Italian " autostradas" aro an example of the success of special and exclusive motor roads. A scheme involving several millions is now under consideration in Great Britain.

ECONOMY OF FRESH TUBES. Nob all motorists realise the importance jbf using only good conditioned tubes it their covers. The length of life of £ tube can only bo ascertained by the tube being run until it dies, and it will probably die 0:1 the road, causing considerable inconvenienco and possibly expensethrough damage to a cover. The appear iance of a cover will show when it is Hearing the end of its life, but the tube is hidden and its condition cannot be gauged unless the cover is rcmeved. The trouble or expense involved in removal of a cover for tube inspection is insignificant compared with the inconvenience caused by the death of an old tube on the road. It is false economy ±0 use very old tubes when fitting new covers, as falling off in pressure will often result/ in considerable wear on the covers, between inflations. TOO MANY WELLWISHERS. A South Island motorist who has been ,visiting Auckland has given up burning his headlamps in daylight lo prevent overcharging of the battery. He called at the A.A.A. bureau this week and remarked that the custom of his home town did not seem to be understood in the north. In the town in yhich he resides it is common to drive in suranpr with the lamps switched on. He tried running about Auckland following the same procedure but found that he ■was hailed every few minutes by drivers •who thought they were doing him a good turn. So much well-meant information Was showered on him that be has decided to let the battery get its surfeit. MOTOR TRADE ITEMS, The tendency for a decrease in the humber of automobile companies in I:\merica continues. The latest move is the Hupmobile-Chandler merger. Local body and Public Works Department engineers witnessed a demonstration of a Morris six;wheeler at Drurv on Thursday. Prior to the test the party witnessed the screening of a film depicting war office trials of six-wheel vehicles. Some very rough and soft country was selected for the demonstration with a view to indicating the exceptional traction of four Tear wheel drive on roadless country.