ROAD CONSTRUCTION

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12298, 18 November 1925, Page 6

ROAD CONSTRUCTION

'(To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —Letters have appeared in the Press during the last few days with reference to the so-called banking of the roadway on a comer in the Oriental Bay district. One correspondent evidently having in mind the banking of ’motor tracks, such as Brooklands, sees in this quite normal treatment or oomers, a direct inducement to speeding. Another thanks the authorities for providing a safety first precaution. The grading at corners, or as it is called superelevation, is governed by an accepted formula, based on width of road, radius of curve, and estimated average speed of traffic. The aotual wear of the road demands such treatment quite as much as consideration of safety. In the south of France notices are displayed at many comers such as: ‘‘This comer is graded for traffic speed of (?) kilos,” the speed averaging from 35 to eight kilometres. A motorist with what the housemaster terms “hands” can judge for himself the superelevation of the road, and a push bicyclist instinctively inclines his body relative to his speed and the undulation of the road surface. It seems a pity that what is nothing more than the normal treatment of a road corner should form the subject'of a discussion which may give the public an impression that the road, which is after all a nation wide concern, is being treated in a manner specially beneficial to any one class. —T am, etc , VIATOR. November 17 th.