TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27505, 27 September 1950, Page 6

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

Long-term Planning Is Necessary CONFLICT OF INTERESTS “ The skill of man to invent has far outstripped his ability to control. One irritating example is his failure to solve traffic and parking problems in this age of motor transport,” commented Mr D. Forsyth at (the annual meeting of the Otago Automobile Association last night. “In every major city in every civilised country this problem seems to defy solution, and is rapidly becoming the nightmare of controlling authorities. In New Zealand, with its very high rate of motor transport vehicles per capita, we find that in relation to our size of town, our difficulties are becoming almost as acute as they are in the great cities of the world. “For AA executives, whose members are inclined to blame them for failure to improve traffic flow and to find parking places just where they are wanted the problem is accentuated by the fact that within our association we have groups of members whose interests are diametrically opposed and whose own individual interests are in conflict. Mr A wishes an all-day park in the heart of the city close to his office, but Mrs A wants that same space for short-time parking while she shops for Mr A’s dinner. Mr B wishes to leave his car in front of his place of business for ready access during the day, but he also wishes the space to be available for Mr A’s wife when she comes to his shop. He wishes, too, that it be left clear for lorries so that stock can readily be dumped in his storeroom. He cannot have all three. nOT can an AA executive in its negotiations meet all three points of view. The AA executive therefore endeavours to negotiate with the authorities a compromise equitable to all concerned. “In facing up to this situation, all members do not always co-operate nor, though most are considerate, do all members help to alleviate the situation,” continued Mr Forsyth. “For example, traffic flow would be greatly facilitated if through motorists took back streets; if those who pull up on busy streets parked always, as close to the kerb as possible, leaving space between their cars and the trams for a moving vehicle; and if, under such circumstances, those in moving vehicles moved through the gaps so created, preventing the pilingup of queues that slow down traffic flow. In some of our busy streets, too, double parking is frequent, again to the detriment of free traffic flow. “ Parking space is difficult to find, but frequently more space would be made available if correct and careful parking were more common and if limit parking times were conscientiously observed,” he paid, “Even with such care, it is obvious that the whole problem will have to be faced up to by future City Councils. Sooner or later additional space must be found —the later, the greater the ultimate cost to the city. Some day every new building will have to include an off-the-street loading bay, and internal parking space for those car owners using it. The sooner such a scheme is begun, the better for the future.

“Amelioration of the difficulties is possible with wise planning ahead by civic authorities and town planners. The alternative, even in a small town like Dunedin, is ultimate traffic chaos.” said Mr Forsyth.