Passing Comments
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American Tractor-trailers Criticized
1T has been found in the U.S.A. that a great many I more articles of lighter weight than previously are being transported, and according to one well-known haulier, there is a great potential volume of traffic for road transport which has not been hitherto encouraged because of its light and bulky nature.
This seems to show the need for greater cubic capacity in tractor and semi-trailer combinations. A review of various American makes showed that there was considerable waste space in many—for example, between the radiator core and its grille, and between the grille and the front bumper. It was recommended that in conventional tractors, the A32 dimension from the front of the bumper to the back of the cab need not exceed 8 ft. 6 in. and this would not impair driver comfort or accessibility.
Some of the vehicles of today, particularly in many of the eastern states, weigh as much unladen as the payload they are permitted to haul. What are needed are lighter and more durable materials wherever possible. The minimum weight requirement for a tractor-trailer should be one-third of the gross load.
Another improvement necessary was that in braking, there should be good performance with less frequent adjustment. In some vehicles a driver with long legs could not operate the brake and clutch without striking his knees on the steering wheel.
Unilever Road-safety Drive
ACOMMITTEE representative of all Unilever companies, under the chairmanship of the Unilever transport adviser, Mr. A. G. Marsden, have achieved notable success in advancing the cause of road safety.
Some months ago, staff of all grades whose duties involved regular driving were invited to comment upon locations through which they frequently ran and which, in their opinion, contained "black spots." Opinions on how improvements could be effected were asked for.
Over 600 submissions have so far been received. Highway authorities have been most co-operative and often described the efforts they had been making to secure funds for various schemes, giving details of their plans. Remedial action has been taken in many instances, and in only a few have the authorities concerned disagreed with the views expressed.
Nearly always, sufficient information has been given by the authorities to enable a detailed reply to be sent to the person who put forward a suggestion. The committee take care to ensure that the views of the authorities are fully explained, whether the suggestion came from a driver of a goods vehicle or a member of the management. S.PD., Ltd., the Unilever warehousing and distribution organization, recorded a reduction of 27 per cent. in accidents last year, compared with a national increase of 9 per cent. The company achieved this largely because of a drive to educate and encourage drivers in matters of accident prevention.
Lifting Bridge Goes On Strike
FIVE days after the Flintshire County Council had decided to ask the Ministry of Transport to provide a new bridge at Queensferry, linking Cheshire (Wirral) with North Wales, the existing bridge over the River Dee went out of action and traffic had to be diverted for two hours.
This bridge works on a similar principle to that employed for the Tower Bridge, London; it lifts to enable shipping to pass underneath it. During the course of a monthly check which was being made, the bridge became obstinate and refused to close.
The fault was a comparatively Minor one, for it was discovered that one of the trip switches had been thrown out and after the trouble was rectified the normal action was resumed. The incident does, however, show how necessary it is to have an alternative route available within a reasonable distance.