H.—4o.

(e) Fluctuations in Tkaffio-density. At a number of stations the traffic was tallied continuously over the whole week, while at the majority the count extended for daily periods of sixteen, hours, commencing at 6 a.m. and continuing until 10 p.m. The results of the former series, in addition to affording a factor for estimating the twenty-four-hourly traffic over all stations, were analysed into two-hourly periods of traffic. This data is presented in Fig. 4, which shows the distribution of traffic throughout an average twenty-four-hour period in the summer and in the winter (a) on a week-day (Monday to Friday inclusive) and (b) on a Sunday. In each case the traffic during hours of darkness is indicated by the shaded portions. It is estimated that 16-6 per cent, of the total movement of traffic on the highway system during the year takes place during hours of darkness. During the period of the summer tally 12-8 per cent, of the traffic was at night, while the August tally showed 21-4 per cent, at night. These proportions are fairly consistent throughout the whole of the Dominion.

Fig. 4.—Fluctuations in Traffic Volume according to Time of Day and the Season, with reference to Week-days and Sundays.

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