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Road Transport Alters American Life

13th March 1953, Page 53
13th March 1953
Page 53
Page 53, 13th March 1953 — Road Transport Alters American Life
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

By Roland Wild THE development of road transport in the United States has altered the pattern of American living, and large-scale programmes of highway construction and improvement are being effected to facilitate the working of this important industry. Its growth is reflected by the following figures: In 1904 there were 700 vehicles registered, in 1920 the lm. mark was attained, by 1936 there were 4m, machines, by 1947, Gm., whilst to-day there are 8.im.

A proportion of 56 per cent. of all goods vehicles is operated by owner-drivers, and there are 25,500 fleets each with more than eight lorries. •

At present, the industry bUys lm. new lorries and 50,000 trailers a year, uses 6m. lb. of plastics, 7m. tons of tin, 100,000 tons of rubber and an amount of petrol pictured in the typical American manner as being enough to make five stacks of onegallon cans to reach to the moon.

State Laws

Tribulations, opposition and legal battles attended the industry's growth, and there is yet some incoherence, as each individual State has its own laws on taxation and various restrictions. Nevertheless, road transport is now responsible for distributing such produce as oranges, lettuce, beans and tomatoes all over the country.

Until a few years ago, fresh fish and shellfish were not available in the Middle West, except in the larger cities. To-day, there is hardly a small community that does not receive them by refrigerated vehicles. Nearly 70m, people are dependent upon road transport for milk supplies, whilst 100,000 carriers are engaged on the haulage of fuel.

These considerations have a bearing on the average American's domestic life, for he is influenced in choosing Where to live by the variety of goods he can obtain in his locality.

Remote Railways Adequate road services have made it possible for towns with fewer than 50,000 people to be developed without expanding rail facilities. When industrialists look for sites for new factories, half of them select small towns and villages, confident that they can rely upon road communications. Large areas of the United States are more than 25 miles from a railway line.

The American road haulage associations recently prepared a statement to the Senate describing the ramifications of their industry. Their report dealt with a typical town, Medina, Ohio. The biggest factory in the town, making pickles, distributed about 500 tons of goods per week by road. Another plant, manufacturing washing machines, reedited three-quarters of its raw materials by road and sent out 90 per cent. of its production by the same means.

The local chain of grocery stores and a wholesale food concern delivered entirely by road, the wholesaler taking in half his supplies in lorries. These instances were typical, yet the town was adequately linked with the railway system.

A more personal influence has been exercised by the lorry drivers. Roadside cafés have improved their standards to a marked degree, and are open all night to serve fresh coffee and good food. The lorry driver—the " trucker "—is an important figure, with a reputation for courtesy and skill. The road accident rate has decreased through the years and the prizes for safe driving awarded at annual " roadeos " are keenly sought.

Three-month training courses on lorry driving inay be taken at various universities by potential instructors. When they are qualified, they can earn high pay.

Drivers' slang is expressive. A "cackle crate" is a vehicle that carries poultry (75 per cent. of poultry transport is done by road). "Down in the corner in a dog" means travelling in low gear in a low

powered machine. A prime mover is a "horse "—and to drive one without a trailer is to " ride bareback." Other terms are "kidney buster," a hard-sprung vehicle; "reefer," a refrigerated lorry; "skins," tyres; and "stem winders," cranking handles.

Part of America's road-construction programme includes experiments with different methods of surfacing. A 30-mile-long stretch of highway has been laid down in Utah with variations in thickness and types of dressing. Its highest part is at 4,000 ft. above sea level. Temperatures vary from 20 degrees below zero in winter to 100 degrees in the summer. Continuous runs by all kinds of lorry are made on the road to test it to destruction.

Traffic analyses are being conducted on different highways. In California, a survey over a typical stretch of road revealed that lorries averaged 22.2 m.p.h. and private cars 32.8 m.p.h. Such safety factors as visibility on bends were also examined.

After the findings had been considered, the road was rebuilt. It was shortened by mile and this involved running the route higher by about 200 ft. over some mountains, but it was thought that the power of the engines of the heavy vehicles would enable the steeper gradients to be tackled. Results were satisfactory. The lorries averaged 24.6 m.p.h. along the modified route.

Tags

Organisations: Senate
People: Roland Wild
Locations: Medina

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