Associations Should Co-ordinate 'Ideas
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By Lieut.-Comdr. J. W Thornycroft, M.I.N.A., A.M.I.A.E.
(Joint Managing Director, John 1. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd.)
I HAVE been most interested to read the letters and articles which have appeared in your paper on this %subject, and would like to make the following suggestions:— Under existing war conditions it is vei-y difficult for cornmerefal-vehicle manufacturers' executives to give time to co-operate with operators in working out the most desirable types of chassis and bodywork to meet the special requirements of the very varied and nurnerous trades, I therefore suggest that progress could be made if the various associations of, the users were to co-ordinate their members'. ideas. For example, it is suggested that the following associations might be able to produce a draft specification of their requirements which would suit the majority of their members:—National. Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers, Retail Distributors' Association, Cement and Concrete Association, etc. The manufacturers could then obtain the information from these bodies.
A number of -the commercial-vehicle manufacturers has been urging that the M.O.W.T. should revise the whole of •• the Construction and Use Regulations now in existence, so as ta.bring them in, line with new developments, both in
technical construction of Vehicles and improved roads. At present the regulations have grown and, in many instances, are illogical.. For example, the 30-mph. speed limit based on a vehicle's. unladen weight, irrespective of the load . carried, is directly against considerations of public safety.
The passenger-operating interests have got together and have been active in pressing for revision of the regulations as they affect passenger vehicles, and have been seeking the co-operation of manufacturers, g4. committee comprised of manufacturers and operators is now in existence, working out the technicalities of the suggested block dimensions that the operators require. This involves the consideration of tyre sizes, axleweights; braking areas, spring disposition and dimensions, which may ,require modification Of the existing regulations.
It is my view that it would be a mistake to deal with the regulations piece-meal on the requirements of an one section of the road operators, and that the M.O.W.T. should have the considered views of the manufacturers and all road-user associations when considering the revision of the regulations. •