"ROAD ECONOMICS"

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14722, 12 August 1921, Page 3

"ROAD ECONOMICS"

LECTURE BY MR L. SANDSTON. A large gathering, which included many representatives of local bodies, assembled at Chrislclmrch this week to hear a lecture by Mr L. Sandston, civil engineer, on "Road .Economics." Mr Sandston said the gospel of good roads might well be taken up by the Government, for the matter was one which at the present time affected vitally the interests of the whole community in many directions. Especially in a country like New Zealand was the road question important, for with indifferent roads and bad transport facilities the country was penalised, and the migratory movement to the towns encouraged. There was one favourable phase, however, in this country, namely, that of the decentralisation of the population, and lo that extent this country differed from the Australian Stales. It was important that in the adoption of any road policy advantage should be taken of Hie experience and experiments of other countries, in order that an up-to-date start might be made. A railway was a costly type, of roadway. The railway method had been developed lo its oconomks limits, and the present era of transportation was one of improved roadways. In America, during the past 15 years, the expenditure on highways had increased from 10 millions to 200 millions annually, while the actual mileage had increased less than 5 per cent. Waterbound macadam roads, up to the advent of mechanical transport, satisfied all requirements, hut motor transport had brought about a vast change, and soft-tyre and rapid traffic ruined a water-hound macadam road and made its cost of maintenance prohibitive. Jn New Zealand, as in Australasia generally, there was a wide divergence of expert opinion as to what was the solution of the problem. That pointed to the fact that road building at the present time was in a transitional stage and sufficient time had not yet elapsed to prove the claims of the advocates of different methods of construction. There was no such thing as one besl road; each roadway had lo be considered according lo ils own conditions. Mis experience was thai a concrete road was never ideal, although the American standard mad was one possessing a concrete foundation wilh a special surface. lioad construction was .now a specialised department of civil engineering, but the practice in New Zealand was for » local body to e.vpccl an engineer In lake charge of all departments of work, when, as a mailer of fact. ,i specialist should he called in. The local bodies should lie encouraged to build mads which would link up with those in oilier districts, and so create an intelligent chain.