Innovations in Equipment and Operation

The Ohio Turnpike Commission announced in September that it would permit the regular operation of tractors hauling two trailers in tandem on the Ohio Turnpike. Such operations had already been authorized on the New York Thruway and the Massachusetts Turnpike. These combinations reduce the cost of freight transportation on highways, but their use is forbidden in most of the states.

In September, Chicago Express, a large trucking company, began to operate a new trailer model between Philadelphia and Chicago over the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana turnpikes. Manufactured by Strick Trailer Co., it is 60 ft. long and carries up to 30 tons of freight, in contrast to the much smaller loads of conventional 40-ft. trailers. A 20-ft. portion of the trailer is detachable and can be dropped at an intermediate destination.

A versatile kind of truck trailer for freight requiring temperature control was produced in 1960 by Great Dane Trailers. It has two compartments, each with a different type of refrigeration unit. The unit in the front compartment can provide sub-zero temperatures for ice-cream and frozen foods. The unit in the rear compartment is designed for moderate refrigeration or heating, according to the season. This compartment is therefore suitable to fresh fruits and vegetables. Each compartment can be loaded and unloaded through side doors.

Task 2. Work in pairs. Ask and answer questions using the active vocabulary and the information in the text above.

1. When was more than 23% of the Federal System of Interstate and Defense Highways opened for traffic?

2. What percentage of the US total road mileage was the Federal System of Interstate and Defense Highways expected to constitute?

3. How much highway traffic was the Federal System of Interstate and Defense Highways supposed to bear?

4. How much will the construction of the Federal System of Interstate and Defense Highways cost?

5. What percentage of the total expenditures for the Federal System of Interstate and Defense Highways construction was authorized from the federal funds?

6. What was the principal source of receipt for the Highway Trust accounts?

7. What did the ICC inspection of vehicles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike highway find?

8. What agency was established in the USA in December 1960? What authorities did the agency have?

9. What transport operation was authorized on the Ohio Turnpike highway in September 1960?

10. What were the operating characteristics of the new trailer model manufactured by Strick Trailer Company?

11. What types of truck trailers for freight were produced in 1960 by Great Dane Trailers?

Task 3. Put in prepositions (if a preposition is necessary) and translate the sentences into your mother tongue. Consult the text above.

1. ___ Monday, this highway will be opened ___ traffic.

2. A greater part ___ road accidents has been caused ____ driver fatigue.

3. Many trucks and trailers are ___ an unsafe condition.

4. The compartments in this truck can be loaded and unloaded ____ side doors.

5. The Highway Trust Fund consists ___ automotive tax receipts.

6. The road inspection was conducted ___ the consent ___ the commission.

7. The tax has recently been increased up ____ 4 cents per a gallon ___ gasoline.

8. This compartment is suitable ___ fresh fruits and vegetables.