Where a Bus Route Number is Missed
Page 57
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A RISING out of the observations which Mr. A. 1-1.. "Price so ably.brought to the notice of your readers in your issue dated September 30, there is a point which I think ought to be recorded concerning one of the problems of London traffic. When motoring through busy thoroughfare's recently, I noticed that some of the new London Transport buses have no route number which can be seen from the back.
This seems to be a deplorably retrograde step,. or, perhaps I should say, economy. When approaching a crossing or roundabout, it is most helpful to know by which route a bus will leave, in order that following traffic may position itself in the correct stream. Some notification of the route number on the rear of each bus would assist the flow of traffic, aid filtering, and avoid the chaotic jam which can occur when a vehicle tries to cross a stream of traffic.
At least an elementary knowledge of London bus routes and their numbers is possessed by most drivers who are frequently in the Metropolis.
There is also the obvious advantage to potential passengers of some indication of the destination which can be seen from the rear of the vehicle. Everyone has to mount from that point, and not all may, have been fortunate enough to have noticed the route number and destination while the bus has been approaching the stop.
I would like to thank you for very interesting reading Flatter. C. L. F. BARNARD. Luton.
[We are fully in agreement with Mr. Barnard regarding the need for the showing of a route number at the back of every bus. Apart from what he has said, we have noted considerable confusion at stopping places, particularly when several buses have arnived simultaneously or are standing together. Often in such cases one bus may be full, and members of the queue can frequently be seen running to the front of another to ascertain what its number is before attempting to mount. Sometimes, too, a bus will be separated from people at the stop by another vehicle and may have to draw up past the ordinary position, in which case only the rear can be seen. It is then most aggravating to lose one's place or to see the vehicle sail away, only to realize, too late, that it was the one wanted.—ED.1
ENGINE OIL FILTERS AND THEIR EFFICIENCY
THE subject exhumed by Mr. E. W. Corless in your issue dated September 23 is one in which I am particularly interested. The editorial comment upon his letter seems a little unfair; clearly, no engineer would hold out as an advantage the ability of a filter to extract colloidal graphite. On the other hand (and this was surely Mr. Corless's point), a capacity to retain particles so minute does establish the efficiency of a filter as such.
My own experience so far suggests that a combination of full-flow and by-pass filters may be nearest to the ideal. The latter can be disconnected during runningin periods if it be desired to employ colloidal graphite; there are schools of thought on the question of the ednsistent use of this additive. Thereafter, uppercylinder lubrication with detergent additives should largely cater for cold-starting wear, valve gear, top rings. etc. One wonders whether mechanical means to this end will not in due course be standardized.
In the absence of research facilities, the fleet engineer is faced with protracted service tests .ere he can reach a reasonably reliable conclusion from among the welter of conflicting theories and claims on the vexed question of lubrication.
In view of the paramount importance of engine life to the operator, it would be interesting to hear other views, and I consider that you would be doing a great service to the operator (although not, perhaps, to the repairer !) by an exhaustive ventilation of the subject in your invariably informative columns.
Pottets Bar, Middx. K. R. GARNETT HALL, THE FACTOR OF BATTERY WEIGHT IN ELECTRICS
WHAT "One Hears" about the weight of the battery • YY in an electric vehicle (issue September 23), applies only to the smallest models of battery-electric vehicles, in which the battery may be 30 per cent. of the gross laden weight.
In the I-ton model this proportion is reduced to under a quarter and goes steadily down as the size of vehicle increases up to the 10-ton g.l.w. refuse collectors, where it may be as low as 15 per cent. The new " lightweight " batteries with four years' guarantee have helped considerably in improving the payload-gross laden weight factor in electric vehicles, and thereby 'their technical and economic efficiency.
H. W. HEYMAN, Managing Director, (For Smith's Electric Vehicles, Ltd.).
A S one of your regular readers, I would be glad to (-1know what course should be followed in connection with the case which I outline.
A coach was hired to convey a mixed party. During its journey it was involved in an accident, the vehicle being damaged, also two passengers were injured. One, in particular, a woman, was detained in hospital for four to five hours, but, although in considerable pain, insisted on continuing the trip, so as not to spoil the enjoyment of the party. She stayed at the venue and returned home with the party at the week-end. Since then she has interviewed the owner of the coach, concerning some compensation. He is reported as having said the matter had nothing to do with him, as his claim upon the insurance company in respect to the damage to his vehicle had been settled.
The point is, has this passenger, who had to obtain additional help to carry on her household duties, any claim upon:the coach proprietor, or, if not, upon whom?
Aberdare, Glam. "PUZZLED."
[There is no doubt that if the injury to the woman concerned occurred as a direct result of the accident, the owner of the coach, and, through him, his insurance company may be considered as liable in law. His claim for damage to the vehicle has nothing to do with the matter. She will have a claim as a third party. As to how far this can be carried in respect of additional expenses incurred by her for help in her household duties, etc., is a matter for the insurance company to decide, but failing a satisfactory settlement, she could take the matter to court through her solicitors. It is, of course, possible that the insurance company may bring forward the point that by returning in the coach instead of taking proper treatment, she may have accentuated any trouble experienced later. —ED.]