News & Discussion: Roads & Traffic

[1NEEDS2POST]

Also, put trucks on trains.

[rhino]

Also, put trucks on trains.

Trucks (including drivers), or trailers?

[SBD]

Also, put trucks on trains.

Trucks (including drivers), or trailers?

RoadRailers were trialled 20-30 years ago using modified semi trailers to create trains. The concept doesn't seem to have taken off, I don't recall an announcement of them ending, but I assume a train-capable semi-trailer was considered too heavy for the ends of its journey. I imagine the issues with putting the entire truck/trailer on flatbed trains relates to either or both of combined height or the time required to load and unload a whole train compared to doing it with containers that can be accessed from the sides of the train.

[rhino]

I assume a train-capable semi-trailer was considered too heavy for the ends of its journey.

I believe this was the case. The strength of the trailer required to prevent the rest of the train from pulling it apart meant it was basically too heavy to be of value on the road.

I imagine the issues with putting the entire truck/trailer on flatbed trains relates to either or both of combined height or the time required to load and unload a whole train compared to doing it with containers that can be accessed from the sides of the train.

I imagine you are probably right here. Trailers on flatcars were used in North America in the 1950s and 60s, but it is not a common practice any more, probably because of this reason.

[1NEEDS2POST]

The main problem is you would realistically only have one train a day and if your truck arrives at the train station just after the train leaves, too bad, the truck has to wait another day. Or you can drive the truck to the destination.

The only way this would work is if it was compulsory or there were big financial benefits. I think if the truck is on a train, then it's off the road for a day, so they should get a discount on registration. That's probably still not enough of an incentive.

[MT269]

Couldn't find a topic about this. It's been going on since about May. At night time, the northbound lane is closed in the vicinity of Castle Plaza and the Cross Rd overpass. I have not noticed any works north of the tram overpass though. The road has a 40kph speed for about 4kms from just south of Daws Rd to the tramline. I assume it's being resealed.

When are these due for completion, so that buses at night can actually get to the city on time again? Despite what it seems like, I am not opposed to tight timetables in any way.

[Eurostar]

Busways don't want buses having to dawdle along South Road to stay on time so the schedule between Bedford Park and Grote Street is designed to be tight.

[MT269]

It's not as tight as the 'GA1' between Elizabeth and Smithfield was. There was also a period 20 years ago, when the 721 had 7 minutes from D2 KW St to stop 7 South Rd.

But I'm just curious as to what's been going on for the past two months.

Edit: Apparently it's scheduled to end on 30/07, with Churchill Rd expected for 26/07. Source - https://www.traffic.sa.gov.au/

[Archer]

For the amount of work being done resurfacing South road between Castle Plaza and Cross road, it seems to be taking an extremely long time, even if the work is only being done at night.

I know weather conditions can play a part in delaying work like this, but still.... way longer than it should take to complete this type of work I would have thought.

[rev]

For the amount of work being done resurfacing South road between Castle Plaza and Cross road, it seems to be taking an extremely long time, even if the work is only being done at night.

I know weather conditions can play a part in delaying work like this, but still.... way longer than it should take to complete this type of work I would have thought.

Wasn't there some pretty shocking sections of bitumen through that area? Could be because of that as well.
I remember driving through there more then once and the bitumen was that out of whack that it felt like you had no control of the car, particularly near and through one of the traffic light sections.

[neoballmon]

I was driving with plates on the back seat one night and I would have looked drunk to anyone watching me avoid all the bumps and holes in the road.

Top layer is laid and line-marked for northbound now.

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

[MT269]

Unley and Fullarton Rds are the worst two I've been along. In a post 2001 bus, it's horrible, due to the continuous decline in build quality since the last NL202 was delivered. I have no idea why Unley Rd is so shocking. It's not like it's used by 5000 semis per day, unlike Portrush and Grand Junction Rds.

I don't recall South Rd being shocking. More 'average'.

[[Shuz]]

South Road was easily one of the worst roads to travel on.

[MT269]

And it looks like it's been extended to August 30. But there are no signs of anything going on south of the vicinity of Price St in Melrose Park.

[Norman]

I merged the South Road roadworks thread into this once since it's not a big topic.