Snow Removal in New York.
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System by Snow Plough and Motorbus Organized by the Fifth Avenue Coach Company.
Although we have been recently enjoying beautiful and seasonable weather, the days when 'snow welcomed us nearly every morning are not SO far distant as to make the question of efficient snow removal seem out of place at the present time. There is also a proverbial benefit in being forewarned.
Snow Difficulties in New York.
Fighting snow has, generally speaking, been well managed by English municipal authorities, and any shortcomings during the past winter may be accounted for by great shortage of labour. But in America, where the snowfalls are usually much heavier than in Great Britain, the removal of snow has not been, in our estimation, SO well taken in hand. The writer recollects that a few years ago, when in New York, he saw huge banks of snow stacked up on each side of the main streets, two and three feet high, whilst the smaller thoronghfares, and minor cross-town streets, were not touched at all and remained snow-bourid till the thaw. The traffic difficulties were enormous, under such conditions, as nearly all the passenger traffic in New York is. by electric cars..
Now, however, when New York seems to. be adopting the motorbus more generally, new methods of snow removal are being used, largely due to the enterprise and initiative of private concerns, and it is our intention to describe the snow-removal system inaugurated by the Fifth Avenoe Coach Co., which must be of very considerable assistance to the New York municipal authorities.
A Snow Fighting Force.
The matterwas taken in hand because the cost of operating motorbuses in snowy weather is so much heavier, the whole of the equipment suffering, in the earlier days of the motorbus in New York, such dilficulties were insurmountable, and complete tie-ups of traffic would occur. But with the aid of the Snow Fighting Force, these have been largely removed, and an effective organization has enabled the 'motorbuses to be run under the most trying conditions On a paying basis.
All details with regard to procedure are contained in a little pocket book called "Fighting Snow," issued by the company to all men concerned, On the occasion of a heavy snow-. storm, someone in authority at the chief engineer's office gives all orders relative to the operation of snow ploughs and sand cars,and fleets are turned out, under this official's direction, for cleaning separate seetions, to which they are strictly allotted. A careful time system is kept at this office, for checking the departure and arrival of crews. Coats, hats and gloves are dealt out to each man.
There are 1.2fleets of such ploughs, each fleet consisting of one or mom units, each unit being made up of a ll, E, or G type motorbus, and a snow plough, with driver, conductor, and snow-plough operator. The snow-plough section is placed under the charge of a captain, -who is responsible for the allotted section, and as he is chosen haphazard from the man, it is necessary that all of them should be thoroughly acquainted with the work and routine.
The Snow Ploughing Outfit.
Before detailing the duties of each man, it would be as well to give a brief description of the ploughing outfit. The general design of this machine can be seen in the accompanying illustration. The rod by which the plough is attached, known as the towing rod, is fastened close to the right-hand rear spring of the bus. The units „then follow each other in line, the ploughs being from 25 it. to 30 ft. apart. When starting, the blade of the plough must be lowered gradually, in order not to overstrain the engine. Each plough in turn pushes the snow towards the kerb, or the centre of the road, according. to orders, the former being the general rule. The blade is normally fixed at right-angles to the axis of the plough; that is. pushing straight ahead ; it may, however, be placed at 45 degrees to this or occupy one of five intermediate ,positions.
The actual operating position can be altered by hand. The angle of the rear wheels to the centre line of the plough can also be changed to the same extent, by means of the horizontal turning handle.
With very deep or heavy snow, the blade should be set at 45 degrees to the line of travel, and the wheels at right angles to the blade ; if the snow is light, the blade should be kept at right angles with the kerb, the rear wheels being parallel with the kerb.
Manipulating the Blades.
The angle of the blade is changed by pressing with the foot on a, knob in the centre of the driver's platform, swinging the hand wheel until the required angle is reached, releasing the knob, and resuming the turning movement until the stop is home. The blade is raised or lowered by means of the same two large hand wheels above the blade turned in unison, this being a perpendicular motion. If they are not turned in unison, one end of the blade will be digging into the road -1.rhilst the other is in the air.
Control of the Rear Wheels.
The angle of the rear wheels, in relation to that of the blade, is changed in similar manner, by pressing a knob at the left rear end of the platform, and holding it down until the turning of the small steering wheel has secured the required position. The wheels will be automatically locked when the knob isreleased.
To prevent piling of snow, the blade must be lifted immediately before coming to a stop ; otherwise there is trouble in starting again.
The duty of the driver on the motorbus is to straddle with his front wheels the furrow of the plough which precedes him. Be must keep his eye open for tramcar tracks, manholes, or standing vehicks, and notify the conductor. The latter must be constantly on the alert, and be the intermediary between the driver and the plough operator, who must see that he
picks up the leader's furrow, and must raise or turn blades and rear wheels as occasion demands.
The rear wheels of a bus towing a plough are equipped with six chains., of a 16-link, standardized type, 'suitable for all kinds of wheels and tires, and attached by bolts and lock nuts to the felloes. Each plough is provided with a box containing spare parts, such as these chains and bolts, together with picks, two shovels, and sand.
An Efficient Organization.
The organization for calling up the snow-ploughing crews is concise and complete. Forms are kept showing how each man can be reached in emergency cases, and these forms are printed in the pocket book mentioned, in the possession of each man. At certain points along the bus routes, equipment is stationed, while extra men are provided if necessary by the Transportation Department. Each section of cleaners has an area, allotted to it, such areas being in convenient touch with the varioas centres. Alcohol is always at hand for starting purposes on extra cold days, and special tin shields are placed on the _ radiator fronts when the temperature is under 32 degrees Fahr. A thorough check is made of all equipment after each storm.
The Route Map.
A map is given in the booklet of information showing the work allotted to each relief, and also the three sand car routes.
We should imagine that this organization is very efficient in action, and that no time is lost or labour wasted in getting to work on a job that has so large a significance to any city traffic.