Facilities on Trunk Roads ?
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THE Minister of Transport has issued to various appropriate bodies, a memorandum asking for their suggestions and advice as to the amenities which should be provided on new trunk roads of the motorway type. Various suggestions as to what is to be covered are included: They comprise such features as fuel filling stations, restaurants, or other food establishments, service stations, and the like, and the distances which these should be apart.
There is also the question as to whether certain of these facilities should be amalgamated or provided separately.
This action is indicative of the attention which this live Minister is giving to this important subject. He displays a wish for the co-operation of The interests concerned which is refreshing, and it is to be hoped that his request will receive the attention that it deserves.
On the other hand, individual users of the highways, including, particularly, those who are likely to be operating vehicles on the new thoroughfares, might like to have an opportunity of expressing their opinions, and these would be welcomed from readers of The Commercial Motor, so that they can be suitably ventilated. It is important to realize that the new roads will probably be designed exclusively for motor vehicles, and higher average speeds ate likely to be attained, so that anything which would be likely to obstruct the flow of fast traffic must be eschewed.
The provision of too many temptations to halt would be unwise, as these would tend to be obstructive, although, in an' case, there will presumably have to be runways in and out so that vehicles stopping would be away from the road proper. Similarly, there would have to be an adequate number of lay-bys and, of course, stations where breakdown equipment could be kept instantly available to deal with serious mechanical troubles or accidents.
No doubt many who read this journal have had experience on special motor highways in other countries, including possibly the toll roads of the U.S.A., and their advice on and criticism of the equipment of these and how it could be improved would be most helpful. Such advice need not be confined to those few features mentioned. These are included only to.give a general idea of what is required, but now is the time to pat forward all practical suggestions.