TRAFFIC CENSUS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 11

TRAFFIC CENSUS

TASK COMPLETED BRITAIN COVERED INCREASE IN BICYCLES REMARKABLY HIGH TOTAL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 20, 5.5 p.m.) British Wirel.-ss RUGBY. Aug. 19 The week's traffic census organised by the Minister of Transport ended this morning. The weather conditions were normal, so the figures collected by the 10,000 enumerators at 5600 points throughout the country will afford a sound basis for plans to deal with modern traffic problems. Jhe statistics are to be analysed locally by surveyors before they are sent to London to be co-ordinated and classified nationally. Already it is apparent that the total of bicycles in use will be found to be remarkably high. This may necessitate further consideration of the need for special tracks for cyclists.

RECORDERS' WORK

PEDESTRIANS INCLUDED VITAL FACTS EXPECTED LONDON, Aug. 12 Ten thousand men, equipped with pencils and elaborate " score-sheets," and housed in brightly-painted sentry boxes, began at 6 a.m. to-day a week's census of England's road traffic. Posted at 5600 points, covering 26,700 miles of first-class roads from Land's End to John 0' Groats, they are making records to enable road development to be planned for 20 years ahead. 'lhe metropolitan area has been excluded, because traffic figures there already are available, but tabulations are going on in Manchester, Glasgow and other cities and towns. The enumerators' task at busy sections is no sinecure, and at some points two men are recording the passage of 100 or more vehicles and pedestrians every minute. The " score-sheets " discriminate between 26 classes of traffic. In certain areas pedestrians are included and these might include a battalion of soldiers. Pedestrians have never before been counted in a traffic census. The steam roller is the only type of vehicle excluded. A surprise has been the number of pedal cycles. One enumerator recorded 800 in an hour and another 1100 in four hours, against 1200 motor-cars. At some points the census is continuing for 24 hours daily, but at others the hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. An analysis of the figures is expected to supply vital information concerning the main directions of traffic, and the need for new roads, new footpaths and cycle tracks. A summary of the records is not expected for months. A British wireless message on August 11 stated: The census agents will cover every first-class road, and at the selected points everything and everyone that passes—lorries, omnibuses, private cars, cycles and pedestrians—each day next week will be counted by enumerators, working in relays. The Ministry holds a traffic census every three years, but for reasons of economy the one due last year was not held. The purpose of the census is to find out how and where traffic has increased since 1931. An average weight is assigned to each class of vehicle, so that it will be possible to estimate not only the volume and density of traffic, but the weight per traffic yard. When the figures have been analysed, the Ministry will be in a position to determine how far roadbuilding programmes are keeping pace with the increased traffic.