Pre-fabricated Roads Cut Costs
Page 37
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
NE' techniques in road construction can he, and have been, developed which allow roads to be built when economic conditions would not permit the construction of roads of conventional design. This point was made clear in a lecture on." Low Cost Roads in Underdeveloped Countries," by Mr. R. S. Colquhoim. delivered in London last _week, under the auspices of the. International , Road Federation. The lecture was the first of a series arranged by the FederatiOn, to he delivered on ' the middle Wednesday of eachmonth and covering a .variety of road topics. The author discussed the economic and technical difficulties encountered in the construction „of, roads in underdeveloped countries, ..and suggested
possible lines for future development. In 'some detail he described his experi eneeti with the ,war:time development of pre-fabricated bituminous strips. r This materia1,6onsisting of a biturneocoated hessian and weighing 6 lb. per sq. Yd. when used abroad, and 3!. per sq. yd. in Europe. provides a firm protective surface for compacted earth roads. In 1945 it cost only Is. 10d.2s. 2d, per yd. to produce in India and provided a suitable road for quite heavy traffic, and was easily laid and mints irosd. The next lecture, to be read on February 15, will be by H. E. Ormerod, his subject being "Road Architecture and the Public." Because of a lack of space in the lecture room, a strictly limited number of invitations will be issued on application to the Federation, 16, South Street. London, W.I.
P.S.V. PROGRESS: THE OPERATOR'S VIEW
THE budgeted life of a public service vehicle, Whieh before. 1939 was perhaps: ix to eight, years, was now normally 10 years or snore. This increased vehicle life had an important bearing on the life of the equipment, said Mt. T. H. Parkinson, M.I.Mech.E.. of Leeds Transport .Department, in the first of a. seriesof lectiires to the staff of C.A.V. : Ltd.
He referred to the advent of bigger oil 'engines and.. the beneficial effect on working life in operating below peak power. The underfloor engine had come to stay, he thought. but he mentioned the probable need for improved sealing and protection when steam was used to clean chassis. He looked forward to improved ventilation arrangements and welcomed the development of electric door-operating gear.