The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-07
PoULSON BRIDGE PLAN TESTED
CONFUSION AND DELAY A NO.
TICEABLE RESULT.

Mr.. Poulson Thinks II VIII Work Better
Whom II IL Moro Familiar-YesterCiay
Passengers Werc Puzzled and Didn't
Like the Chase Up the Roadway for Cars
A test of the plan for regulation OF the
traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge conceived
by President Nils Poulson Of the Hecla
Iron Works was made yesterday after
noon between and o'clock. 1t proved
an unmitigated nuisance to those who had
to cross the Bridge at that hour. most of
whom were taken by surprise.
The test had been scheduled to last three
hours, but was suddenly called off after
having lasted fifty three minutes. For
about fifteen minutes the cars were run
on a half minute schedule. The rest Of
the time an attempt was made to carry
through the regular rush schedule, which
takes $50 cars across the Bridge every
hour.
The total number Of cars passing the
loop at the New York end while the test
lasted was 1876. 1t was estim ated that
while the rush schedule was tried the cars
were coming along at the rate Of 240 an
hour, or forty less than required. The
result was that blockade was threatened
| on the Brooklyn side. The test was called
o. Just In time to prevent serious tangling
OF the traffic
The Poulson plan provides that all cars
eventually shall round the loop on q single
raised track, under which the passengers
pass IN order to reach an inside platform,
400 feet long and raised to level with the
tracks. The cars are to unload on the
north side OF the platform and then to
the loops, to the southern side to let the
Brooklyn bound passengers board them.
One defect OF The plan seems TO be that
it will be impossible to tell where the cars
of any one line will stop, the blocks Of five
being made up of cars as they happen to
come. The passenger may have to run
from one end Of the platform to the other
in order to catch his car What this would
mean in the rush hours may easily be i'm
agined. The Poulson plan provides as a
remedy the numbering of the stopping
places on each side in such a way that a
person by watching the incoming cars may
find where the one he wants is going to
stop finally. This arrangement might work
fairly we'll If the crowds that fill the Bridge
terminus during the evening rush hours
were philosophical or leisurely enough to
profit by it. Another apparent defect is
the lack of capacity Of a single loop.
Mr.. Poulson supervised the test yesterday.
Deputy Bridge Commissioner Nelson l..
Robinson and Bridge Engineer Archibald
Mclean watched it. The promenade en-
trance was shut off by ropes strung across,
and the passengers bound for Brooklyn
were directed to the southern roadway,
where they hunted up their cans in the row
Of five. All wagon traffic was stopped
while the test lasted.
Even at that hour hundreds Of persons
wanted to get across. They were puzzled,
Of course, and there was much pushing and
jostling and running back and forth as each
one tried to reach his car. The police had
their hands full saving lives. Everybody
heaved sigh of relief when car unex-
pectedy appeared on one Of the inside
loops and the cry was raised
"It's all Oft"
Mr.. Poulson held the unfamiliarity OF the
motormen with the working of the plan
largely responsible for the small success.
He said he would ask for another test.