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PARKING UNDERGROUND
Complex Problem Of Great Importance
The question of underground garages scussed in recent article in The Autocar is of 400 great importance at the present time to be allowed to sink again into the oavion of lost, opport- unities by reason of the practical, dimeuits which have to be over- come. A in ervals in the last ten or more years the subject has been raised and proposals, have been put forward,, bu: con- strucaonal dificulties and; per- haps, trathc conditiens ruling at the time did not appear to justify an exhaustive examination of the possibilities which lie in the un- derground
the development of squares in our big cities.
MAIN CAUSE OF PROBLEM Not many months ago, when "opening an up-to-date garage in London, the Minister of Trans- .pert remarked that when an or
dinary motor car owner used the highway for parking his car he was putting out of public use land of a capital value of "£20,- 000; and he said further that, no, only was this abuse of the roudways the main cause of traf- fic delay and a frequent because of accident, but also that, if we could eliminate stationary cars in the streels, London would be a comparatively easy city to tra vel in
air. Frank Pick nas stated that the losses of the London Passen-
Board
through Transport ger
fle day and a frequent "cause by car parking amount to no less than £1,000,000 per annum, and there can hardly be d person who uses the stree.s for busin:58 or pleasure who does not con- tinually pay toll to the motorist who, for lack of any other spare is compelled to park tils car.bv the roadside
In the face of such facts as these, let us consider the dificult- ies which would have to be faced if the authorities were dec.de to excavate the main squares in the West End of Londen, or in other cities, and provide parking at moderate charges..
The first thing .o be considered is the expense, and every con tractor is aware that it would cost nearly three times as much to build a car park with a capa- city of, say, 500 cars below ground. as it would to construct similar accommodation above ground. Few people realise the cost ofl'ex- cavation in a great city. Al- though the actual excavation is effected by mechanical means, the material has to be got rid of--first, on to a lorry, then (in the case of London) to a barge and, finally, to the North Sea, Herz is 'n substantial problem and the next one for consideration is the structure to be created be- low ground.
ORIGINAL APPEARANCE This is in the nature of a steel and concrete chamber, so cross- braced us to resist lateral pres- sure and yet with the roof-sup- far porting stanchions placed enough apart to enable cars to. be manoeuvred. But not only have the stanchions to support their own roof; they have, in addition, to take the weight of perhaps a ten-foot over-burden of earth, for it is clear that there can be no justification for exca- vating a garden or square un- less it is restored again to its original outward appearance, All this presents a problem in steel which can only be solved at great
expense.
41
Now let us consider the ecocio- mics of such an undertaking, for even the most enterprising elly or borough council or traffic an、nor- ity has its obligations to the rate- the taxpayer.. The payer and fundamental weakness of even the most modern garage to-day iles in the waste space required for
"Wide manoeuvring.
open spaces" are essential to the e- cient garage if it is of the nar mal, all-on-one-level wyp; and," unhappily, they amount to over 50 per cent. of the total space. Thus, a garage 500 cars must actually have an area equal to a capacity of 1,000, But the motoris, naturally en- ough, rather objects to being ask- ed to pay for all he dead space.
Will he use a car park if one is convenien:ly available? The at- tractions of the street are great, and the police, on the whole, a kindly tribe. But, "after all, „we“, use our ears for our own con. venience; we are not entitled to ask other people to pay in time and money for that, and motor-
ists, being a reasonable, if sorely ried, community, probably would use a car park if they had not to go miles to find one.
Let us try to plcture Hanover Square, London, as it would be If it were excavated and made. into an underground, car park. The road is clear of vehicles, an actractive waiting-room s at et.her end where the ramps run below ground, and at the far end there is
a ventilating shaft in the form of a ceno.aph. Surely It 15 more beautiful spectacle than is to be seen to-day, and it will be worth while considering if the difficulties cannot somehow be overcome, bearing in mind that Hanover Square is parelleled by many others in the Metropolis -Cavendish Square, St. James's Square, and Golden Square among them.
"
STOWING MORE CARS Is it possible to get more cars into a given space than is done under
garage practice to-day? mechanisation. The Yes," by vertical mechanised car park has been in operation in America for some years, and the horizontal mechanised car park must, sox- ner or later, come into operation here, for in no other way can we double the capacity of our car park and so derive a revenue which will bear some relation to the capital expenditure involved.
In his article in The Autocar an underground parks Mr. H. C. Lafone modestly stated that he awa;ted with "interest, the on- slaught of those who will wish to ear the idea o pieces." Only on this question of revenue can h's idea be seriously criticised, and mechanisation goes a long way towards meeting the diff- culty.
"
Motorists contribute generous- .. ly to the national budget, and the civic authority can be reasonably expected to contribute towards :heir difficulties. To restrict the entry of private cars to certain parts of great cities would surely be a retrograde step, and, yet t s in serious contemplation. To anticipate the conditions of to- morrow and provide cars with reasonable facilities should be the aim of traffic authorities to-day. and in the underground, fully mechanised for park lles the so- lution of the problem.
ESTIMATED COST
The amenities of our squares and gardens must be preserved for the ratepayers, and this can be done most effectively by ac- cording, at the same time, con- sideration to the reasonable de- mands of the motorist. Compet-
have ent authorities
estimaed that the construction of à fully mechan'sed "car park under such a site as Hanover Square would cost approximately £175.000, and have a capacity of 440 cars. To service the capital expenditure at 3 per cent. would require an an- nual payment of £5,250, and the revenue to be derived at an average charge of 1s. should be than double this figure. leaving,/ in my submission, adequate margin for operation expenses.
more
an
The indirect gains from the in- stallation of three or four such car parks beneath the squares
of the West End would be incal- cutube. and it is surely reason- able that either a guarantee or a contribution from the Road Fund
should be put at the disposal of
the local authorities to enable them to make proper surveys and put plans in hand forthwith
A DIESEL ENGINE
A Manchester Arm have pro- duced a
new Diesel, ol engine which draws a 1-tons car at a cost of a
mls. A farthing a large number "of orders has al- ready been received.
The engine has been fitted in a Lagonda sports car with good resulta. to hold
An officiaj of the firm "We are starting com- DIBACA mercial production, and it will be a big thing for the works. Fur- ther exper ments are necessary before we can make a similar will come in time.
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1935.
MOTOR
SPLENDID T. T,
British Four-cylinder Win
The Tourist Trophy has been won, and wel, won, by a British car, one of the new four-cylinder 13-lire. Rulleys, prepared and driven by F. W. Dixan. It per formance was altogether excep. tional; so much su, In fact, that
even now it has "not shown its full capabilities, and once more It is demonstrated that a small four-cylinder engine can develop power far in excess of that which a few years ago was thought t be the Umit of the type.
The race itself was run, by the greatest of good fortune, on ont of
the finest days there, had been in Northern Ireland for quite a long while. and that had a very considerable effect not only on the speeds of the cars but on the equanimity of the drivers. Except for the obvious superio- rity of D'xon's machte-some thing quite out of the ordinary--- the
in handicap seemed
the result extraordinarily good, cara of various sizes and types figur- ing well up In the final order, and once again it was proved that seconds fest at a pit during refilling or tyre changing can vitally affect the result. After Some forebodings, the tyres stood the stress admirably, "in spite of the fact that the non- sip surface specially provided for the road had, during the pre- vious year, caused exceptional wear to the treads: So, happily, the elaborate mechanism set up by the R.A.C. to warn drivers of possible tyre trouble found to be necessary.
was
not
The disaster that overtook thu cars of one team was caused by one of those troubles which occur from time to time, however much care is exercised, and which, of course, point to even more drastic and careful inspection of mate- rials incidentally among the most diecult things in the world to render fault-proof.
The R.A.C. are certainly to be congratulated on the success of this series of races, and their de- cision to confine the cars to ma- chines without superchargers has been undoubtedly justified. It is possible that even more stringent methods of car inspection might prove to be beneficial, but this inspection is itself a problem so difficult that no two people can be found to agree as to what is exactly the best method of carry- Imu tt v*,
1.
WAGON TIPPLER FOR. CHINA
A special form of wagen tippler for use on the Lunghai Rall- way in China was recently con- structed by a Arm in Erith, Kent, as part of a complete coal handling and conveying plant. supplied by the company..
designed "The tippler is
to handle wagons having a maxļ- mum capacity of 40 tons. and as the wagons weigh about 18 tons the tippler is rated nominally as a 60-ton machine. It is required to dea; with 40-ton trucks at the rate of 10 per hour, or 20-ton trucks at the rate of 20
per hour, although it will handle the larger trucks at the rate of 20 per hour if necessary. giving a total capacity of 800 tons per bour."
Note. The firm is the Fraser & Chalmers Engineering Works of the (British) General Elect Tie Co.
ARE THEY ILLEGAL?
On many of our class.fed roads where they enter bullt-up areas there is a "30" disc on the left of the highway and, a "de-limit" bar on the right. In some cases there are double-sided signs on both sider of the road, but these are found as a rule, on y on the big thoroughfares, The question is: Are the "single" limit signis » legal? It would seem that they are "not." and, if that be so, the further question arises: Can a "No magneto er coil is neces- motorist be properly convicted of sary. The 'oll is fired entirely by exceeding a mit which is not compression. For that reason a Indicated in the correct way? nezyter engine "la required, but "Under Section 2 (a) of the further research and tests will Truine Signs Directions issued by probably lower the weight."
the Minister of Transport on Note. The firm is. Mears. L May 20th last it is laid down Gardner & Sons, Ecoes.
that "a sign of the type lust-
JOTTINGS
MOTOR NOTES FROM
GREAT BRITAIN
Five Miles A Minute!
The Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. are already assured of an import- ant place in the history of motor speed records by the successes of three separate British drivers John Cobb, George Byston and Sir Malcolm Campbell. The lat- ter has broken the World's Land Speed Record no less than 9 times since his first attempt in 1924. and in that period the figure has .rlsen from 148.16 to 301.13 m.p.h
ed by the engina.
A.E.C.-Ricardo . oli
During August the same makers received an order for 200 SLX- wheel trolley bus chassis in con- nection with the big scheme for converting some 90 miles of tramways in the metropolitan area to trolley bus operation.
Eleven. AE.C.-English Electric trolley bus chassis are to be con- structed for early service in Johannesburg: part of the city's transport scheme which is sche- duled for completion in time for the opening of the big exhibition there next year.
It is understood that on the latest occasion "Blue Bird", "was equipped with a photo-recording apparatus, so that a continuous record was obtained of the instru- ment readings during the historic run, and in this way it was pos- sible secure valuable data,
car The weight' of the
Was it has been nearly 5 tons, and calculated that about 90 per cent of the 2,350,B.H.P. output from the Rolls-Royce 12-cylinder super. charged nero engine was required to overcome wind resistance.
DISCRIMINATING OWNERS
who maintain that the Those
car is over day of the luxury must revise their ideas in accor dance with actual facts. Last year bodies for no less than 320 cars
at the Hooper ed to be normally "oTZ" were built works at Acton, most of the chas- sis being of either Rolls-Royce or Daimler make.
When
car
the cast of a complete considered. of this class is it will be realised that the turn- over thus represented means a large volume of opinion in favour of the luxury car
THE OIL INDUSTRY
A survey of the present posi- tion of the al industry which an- peared in "The Times" recentiv included a number of impressive facts. For instance, Great Bri tain ads other European conn- tries compared with France's 2,460,000 tons.!
I was pointed out that motor transport is of the greatest so¬
and cial significance
should he In encouraged, not repressed. par çular, it should not be re- garded as the enemy of railway transport. The railways take burdens which the roads could never assume, while he motor car does what a train could never do. Each is essential to the na- tional economy, and legislation should be directed to their point maintenance.
The prefecting of the Diesel en- gine, rightly described as the most efficient power unit known, marks another stage in the ol Industry's rapid progress,, A SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENT
In this connection an appolnit- ment made by an important oil company is of interest. Mr. Sidney Amos, M.Eng., who was bean practising as a Consulting Diesel Engineer, has recently joned the ataff of Germ Lubricants Ltd., of London.
A Master of Engineering of London University, with consider-.' able xperience in the installation and operation of stationary and marine Diesel engines. Mr. 'Amos was with a well-known English engine builder and also with a Continental company before he commenced as a consultant, The firm he has now joined has a far- reaching experience of Diesel en- gines of all kinds, including com- pression ignition engines for road vehicles.
LONDON "GOING OILER” It has recently been announced that no more petrol-driven buses or coaches are to be pur- chased by London Transport, and It is estimated that within 10 years the whole fleet will be com- pesed of "allers." "At present about 850 are in operation.
This announcement gives point to the further order for 80 A.E.C "Q"-type single-deck placed last month, making 180 of this type of vehicle ordered by the Bcard within a year.". Al will be power
rated in diagram 1" (the ordinary 30" sign) shall be erected "on both sides of the road" on classified roads. From this it certainly appears that a very large number of our roads are not legally marked. It would be“ interesting to have this
point raised in a 'defence to a speed limit prosecution.. and to learn the views of magistrates upon 1.
on a
AN ELECTRIC RAILCAR The product of a concern well- Known for the manufacture of trolley buses, a novel Ransomes lec:ric railcar has recently been completed at the "Ipswich works. Designed to carry 12 passengers
a ton of goods. It runs or standard gauge track and can be operated from either end.
fr: Being battery-driven the risk is almost negligible, and, in fact, "safety first" principles loom large in its design: A brake is, provided on the end of each dri- ving motor and these are arrang- It is impossible to start the car until the brake has been released, and if any accident should happen to the driver, the supply of current I instantly broken, and the brakes are automatically applied.
A PROVED, SUCCESS The Leyland hydraulle torque converter is proving increasingly popular amongst bus companies as well as in the municipal world In the latter field it is noteworthy. that 91 per cent of the orders for passenger vehicles placed by British municipalities with the company during the Jast 4 months specified this unit. Over- seas Pretoria and Johannesburg already have fleets of over 20 in service.
READY RESPONSE
The Minister of Transport's re- cent remarks favouring the early elimination of horse-drawn. traf- fic have attracted widespread at- tent.on, and as the largest users of horse transport in Britain, the great railway groups are inti- mately concerned.
It is instructive, therefore, to learn tha, during August orders were placed by the home railway companies with Scammell Lorries for 258 mechanical horse motive units and 588 trailers, making the total orders placed by this Im- portant section up-to-date 1,880 motive units and 3,250 trailers, fitted with the Scammell patent automatic coupling gear.
ADJUSTABLE STEERING
Π
WHEELS
an
car
When I come to buy my next car the deciding factor wil be whether it has
adjustable steering wheel or not, writes a correspondent. The new Bluemel. adjustable whee; is being sup- plied on several of the 1936 models and sooner or later, no doubt, it wil be standard on many more. Its need is obvious, especially in cases where a used by several members ní a ramlly. Recently I did a little practising what we preach and rearranged my driving seat so that I could see out of the front window very nicely. a though it felt like driving a taxi. Then the, lady who usually sits on my left, but who of late has insisted on sitting on my right occasional- ly, wanted to take the car out. The new driving position did not suit her at al; so out came the packing, and We are nów where We were before. An ad- justable steering wheel would
give its both what we want. There is a man "in our avenue” who, because he has such long legs, always looks sa fbe were singing tenor in the village choir: a Bluemal wheel" would cure his troubles and those of a Little gentleman in the next road who always seems to be cuddling the steering wheel. An adjust- able steering wheel is as logicu! as an adjustable throttle, yet it has taken car manufacturers all these years to realise it,
The chosen lubri. cant for tests on land, sea and in
the arr
Wakefield
Castrol
Motor
Oil
SPEED EASTWARD
FROM SEATTLE IN
“SOLID**
COMFORT”
ON THE COMPLETELY
AIR CONDITIONED
Olympian
You'll enjoy its smooın, gliding swiftness, over the shortest route of longest electrification...its luxurious accommodations and friendly service... its sumptuous meals...its inviting beds
the freshness of its air conditioned equipment. You'll meet discriminating travelers who prefer to travel "Milwaukee...you'll thrill to magnificent scenery. Include the journey between Seattle and Chicago on The Olympian as a part of your itinerary,"
For further information inquire of your nearest stossa. thip office, any Travel Bureau, or ERIC MARSHALL, Agent
112 Government St., Victoria, 8,0.
F. J. CALKIN3, Generat Agmi
793 Granville St., Vancouver, B,C, R. F. RANDALL, Dist. Passenger Agent
M1 Market St, San Francisco, Cal J. F. BAHL, Amt, Gen. Passenger Agent
Sunita, Washington GEO. B. HAYNES, Pass, Traffic Mgr.
Chicago, 11.
MIHAUKEE
57 PAYL
THE MILWAUKEE ROAD
ASTRAEA
G-ABIL
DOUBLED SERVICES to England
THE REASON
All these air liners have four engines for greatest reliability and offer the highest standards comfort and service
THE RESULT
The weekly service to England has become so popular that it has had to be doubled
Ask about through combined fares by sea and air vla Singapore at through rates
Dep. SINGAPORE Sun. Thurs. Dep. SINGAPORE Arr. ALOR STAR Sun. 1. urs, ·Arr. BATAVIA
Mon
Mens
Sun. Thurs. BANGKOK RANGOON Mon. Fri. CALCUTTA Mon. Fri. LONDON Mon. Fri, (weak)
SOURABAYA
Men
RAMBANG
Mon
DARWIN BRISBANE
Thurs
There are big reductions on return journeys and, 10% reductions on fores for Serving Officers If, HM Forces and British Government Officials
IMPERIAL AIRWAYS
**D, ASSOCIATED COMPANIE VAN
Bungling! Aspenka zooMUTTERFIELD A SWEEL, KANE KARM CINEMA KWA,