En Samling Afhandlinger Om Veje 1876-1881

20 OUR ROADWAYS. Mr. Livingstone, C.E., Surveyor to the Vestry of St. George’s, Hanover Square, London, in his report to the Committee of Works of that parish on the re- paving of Piccadilly in November, 1875, says of the Asphaltic and Improved Wood Pavements:— “ The advantages claimed by each of the two “ varieties of wood pavement are generally the same, “ viz. safety, comfort, easy traction, noiselessness, “ durability, protection of pipes from frost, less de- “ struction of horses’ shoes, carriage springs, tyres, “ &c. The Asphaltic Wood Pavement Company, how- “ ever, by laying the blocks on asphalte and concrete, “ claim the additional advantage of having a per- “ fectly water-tight foundation, thus preventing any “ surface water entering the joints and causing decay “ either to the blocks or foundation. I am of opinion, “ however, that the Improved Wood Pavement is “ likely to last the longest, the blocks being laid on “ a foundation of planks gives a certain degree of “ elasticity to the whole pavement, consequently the “ surface offers less resistance to traffic than any “ other.” This deduction may well be questioned. As a me- chanical principle, an elasticity which causes the whole surface or a large proportion of it to sink under pressure, and rise again to meet fresh pressure, must increase the resistance and hasten the wearing away of the surface. Mr. Livingstone proceeds:— “ The Asphaltic Wood Pavement being laid on a