Evening star., 1920-06-13
TRAFFIC PROBLEM
At CIRCLES IS ONE
Of MOST SERIOUS
Narrower Driving Space for
Motorists Is Believed
Only Solution.
by THEoDo.E p. MOVES.

| In the opinion of the majority of
motorists of this city. the circles Of
fer one of the most serious stumbling
| blocks to smooth running traffic.
The pedestrian Is likewise affected
| by the varied directions In which
| autos are going. 1t Is more than diff
| ffcult for u pedestrian to cross at
one of the circles in the city. and he
is placed in imminent danger of his
| life.
| II Is also pointed out that motorists.
especially at busy times. are much
| confused by having pedestrians on
| all sides OF them and other cars
coming from side streets. 1t Is diff
| fcult to judge the amount of space
| separating you from the nearest car
| when going around the circle. and
| this fact causes many sInash-ups and
near collisions.
The only solution for the problem
seems to be the narrowing of the
driving space for automobiles. with
the consequent widening OF the
safety zone for pedestrians.
scott Circle Proposal.
| Milton D. Smith of the metropolitan
police traffic squad has offered the
| following suggestion for relieving the
present, congestion at Scott Circle
| 10th and Massachusetts, avenue
| northwest.
The plan is to place small signs,
marked metropolitan police. some dis
tance out in the street, and connected
| to the sidewalk by chains, similar 70
| those now in operation at Ihomas
| Circle (See illustratfon).
| This, according to Mr.. Smith, would
| lessen the width of the street oniy
| one-third. and would still leave sui
fcient space for. three cars to drive
abreast. -
lowing to the excessive width of the
roadway around Scott Circle. sald
| Mr. Smith 1T is very dangerous lor
| pedestrians and autoists to pass 'here'
| especially during morning ana even
| ing hours and at theater time.
| "By Iessening the area of the road
| way one third there is Stlll enough
! space for the safe travelling OF ,hree
| vehicles in one direction and at the
| same time the pedestrian mas not lhe
| danger of being hit.
The use of chains and signs, as at
| Thomas Circle, would be welcome 70
| the majority of persons using TINS
| circle"
| Every motorist and every pedes-
! trian has undoubtedly had the un-
| pleasant experience of being hurieu
! into a maelstrom at Scott circle !
| busy times of the day or night ana
! immediate relief is sought by all.
Board of Trade Suggestion.
Taking cognizance of the situation
/ at the circles, the pubhc order com :
/ mittee of the Washington Board OF
/ Trade recently passed the following
RECOMMENDATION in regard fat0 to e,fe,es af pe.
| daetri.ns Of Thomas Circle and Scott
circle it is recommended that We
| hicular traffic be forced to the outer
/ adpa of the circles. giving true ro-
! tary traffic by increasing the reser-
vation at the center Of the circles .,s 8
| and narrowing the roadways 70 the
| annroyin,ate width of the roadWays
now existing around Iowa and Du.
| pont circles. Street car trachs at
! Thomas Circle would not be moved;
| but would pass through the extended
J "This Improvement would compel a
| decraased speed of motor vehicles at
circles and reduce the distance
| through traffic for pedestrlans 70
travel. and also prevent the lines
Of traffic from crossing each other.
Measures should also be ssth taken strse3 10
! and Columbia road and at other ex-
posed places"