Metro streets and transit committee today received the massive first-phase report of the corporation's three-stage transportation study.

The first report; more than 100 pages long, deals with existing transportation conditions in Greater Winnipeg including transit, automobile and pedestrian traffic.

Streets and transit director Donald MacDonald said the cost of the study, conducted by his department, has not yet been determined. He said it compares with a Hull-Ottawa survey which cost almost half a million dollars.

The study, which is closely linked to planning studies, was started two years ago. The second and third phases dealing with future conditions and problems, are to be completed this year.

Coun. Charles Huband, chairman of streets and transit committee, said the report is based on conditions two years ago and recommendations of the second and third phases will be flexible in view of changing conditions.

Outstanding in the report is the comparison of automobile and transit travel. It estimates it takes almost twice as long to travel from fringe areas of the city to downtown Winnipeg by bus as it does by car.

The report said congestion at downtown intersections is predominent from 7.30 to 8.30 each morning and 4.30 to 5.30 each afternoon as workers go to and from their jobs.

This was most serious on Portage Ave., Main St. Broadway, River Ave., and Notre Dame, which was caused by intersections without the capacity to handle the traffic, the report stated.

The busiest corner was found to be Portage Ave. and Sherbrook St. where 4,800 vehicles were estimated to pass during the morning rush hour.

The report gives no recommendations for improving conditions.

Calculations of average vehicle speeds showed ony a few downtown blocks where drivers were able to drive 30 miles per hour during the congestion. Most parts of downtown Portage Ave. and Main St., recorded average speeds under 20 miles an hour.

Another reason for congestion and slow-down of traffic was level-crossings. The most serious delays were caused in the St. Boniface area. For example, the CNR crossing on Hwy. 59 totalled more than two hours delay for drivers in a sigle day.

The report sad a lack of east-west expressways around the central downtown area, forces nearly all drivers to cross at least one of the eight bridges into central Winnipeg for trips across the city.

Some of the survey material was gathered by interviewing residents. From this, the report said 60 per cent of all work trips were made by private car, 30 per cent by bus and the remainder by walking.

During peak traffic periods, it was found that 35 per cent of all work trips by private cars went into downtown Winnipeg. On the fringe of the downtown area, about 50 per cent of work trips were made by transit bus.

"It is interesting to note that theses zones of highest transit usage coincide with areas of high population density and, in a number of zones, with low income areas," the report said.

The peak period for pedestrian activity downtown was found to be 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. week days. The busiest area was Portage Ave. from Memorial Blvd. to Main St. The average number of pedestrians crossing at Portage and Donald was found to be almost 11,000 during the two hours.

The report found that a total of more than 23,000 trips was made each day by trucks, of which 44 per cent were trips within downtown Winnipeg.

A survey of the downtown area showed about 52 per cent of the land area was being used for parking and transportation facilities. Of the 30,000 parking spaces, 83 per cent were off-street and the remainder was on side streets and lanes.

Many of the off-street parking lots wer being utilized to 100 per cent of their potential, the report said.