STATE BOARD OP AGRICUaLTURB. 



361 



Observation of this map shows that the plan of the city does not 

 lend itself to the most convenient system of distribution, due to a complicated 

 system of streets laid out to furnish personal or community conveniences. 

 Such conditions are an actual hinderance to efficient milk distribution. 

 Kalamazoo, like most Michigan cities, was located on a river because of the 

 many benefits that could be obtained from such a location. The efficient 

 distribution of milk is one of the city's industries which is handicapped as a 

 result of the city plan and location. This is because of the division resulting 

 from the city having been built on both sides of the river, causing extra 

 driving. This driving is also increased through lack of bridges. Flood 

 lands along the river, usually uninhabitable, also increase the waste distance 

 traveled. 



The same is true with railroads .as with rivers, causing detours and extra 

 traveling in which no deliveries can be made. Centrally located manufac- 

 turing plants, various industries, schools, blind alleys and streets, etc., all 

 increase the miles traveled and the unavoidable duplication of routes. Even 

 by taking a portion of any city laid out in regular rectangular blocks (Figure 

 No. 1) and traveling every street as shown in the accompanying figure one 

 will find that if all the streets are covered it will be necessary to duplicate on 

 some of them. There will also be further duplication necessary if another 

 route must pass through this territory to distribute to a farther field. 



Figure No. 1. Shows a portion of a city laid out in rectangular blocks and the necessary duplication 

 if all the streets are traversed. 



Methods op Measuring Duplication. 



Several methods have been used by other investigators in determining 

 duplication, all of which may be classed as survey methods. The one used 

 the most, being that which ascertains the number of wagons passing a given 

 place every day. This is also the method used by the consumer upon which 

 to base his conclusions, taking his observations from the front of his house. 

 Several cities have also applied this method by having policemen count the 

 wagons in different sections of the city and making house to house inquiries 

 in different blocks of the city. Thus they find out how many dealers deliver 

 in certain blocks. 



Measuring of the miles traveled by all milk delivery vehicles in the city 



