A study is described which sought to collect more information on whether a reduction in lorry size accompanied by a corresponding increase in numbers would be likely to affect lorry nuisance. Two different techniques were used, the first being an 'experimental' approach whereby 'medium' lorries (two-axled vehicles of over 3 tons (3050 kg) unladen weight), were added to 4.5 km of residential roads for one week. These were replaced in the following week by 'heavy' lorries, (vehicles with three or more axles), per hour. It had been planned that the numbers of added vehicles would be such that the two weeks would be matched in terms of total carrying capacity. However, operational problems with the lorries meant that this was not achieved, and that the numbers of added lorries were less than had been expected. Interviews with residents produced little evidence that the added lorries affected the amount of traffic nuisance experienced, or that they were noticed by more than a few people. The second technique was to ask residents which of three alternative size/number combinations of lorries would cause the least and which the most bother on a road like theirs. The alternatives were illustrated by photographs of the one 16 ton (16300 kg), two 8 ton (8150 kg), and four 4 ton (4080 kg) carrying capacity lorries used in earlier studies. An overall preference order of 'medium', 'small', 'big' was obtained. The report includes analyses of the reasons given for these preferences, and discussion of the limitations of the 'photographs' technique. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting