San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-12
NEW TRAFFIC
SYSTEM WILL
START MONDAY.
Motorists Must Watch
Lights for Signals on
Houston Street.
NO TURNS TO LEFT
II Successful Will Be In
stalled on Commerce
Street.


z 80 o'clock Monday morning must
literally swatch their step" For the
city's new automatic traffic signal
system, already adopted by all the
larger cities OF the country, Will be
placed in operation at that time.
Therefore it behooyes all who operate
automobiles TO familiarize themselves
with the workings of the new system
and strictly observe the regulations
governing traffic.
The new signal system was adopted
by Police and Fire Commissioner Phil
Wright after conference with Police
Chief A. o. Van Ripper, Traffic Capt.
II. o. Miller and City Electrician
Claude Convers and is said to be one
of the best in the country. 1t was
not decided upon until police officials
had studied all other systems and
their complications. Its installation
was begun during the previous admin
istration but owing to lack of funds
it was not until the new budget was
adopted that it was possible TO COM
plete 1t.
Posts at the Sidewalk.
San Antonio streets, due TO their
narrowness, presented difficult prob
lem for the installation of the traffic
system, it being impossible, as is the
custom in most cities, to install tow
ers in the center of the streets, both
for carrying signals and for the man
ipulator. 1t was therefore necessary
for the signals to be placed on posts
on the edge of the sidewalk and TO
operate them from a point either at
central police headquarters, or some
centrally located corner on Houston
street. The latter will be tried out
first and it is possible that the cen
tral police headquarters main tower
will be adopted later.
The system first will be tried out
on Houston street, having been INSTALL
ed from Avenue ID to North Flores.
When funds become available, and If
the Houston street system proves
practical, it will later be installed on
Commerce street.
Red Means Stop; Green Go.
The system consists of three bracket
signals placed on all four corners Of
each street intersection. Each signal
is approximately eighteen or twenty
feet from the intersection. The post
bearing the signal is painted black and
white. 50 as to be conspicuous and
bears the warning mo left hand turn. {"
On the left hand side of the signal,
as viewed from an approaching car,
is a reflector which throws red
light, when in operation. To the
right of this is a reflector which
throws q green light. Underneath and
half way between these two is re-
Hector which throws a yellow light.
No three of the lights are ever burn
ing at the same time.
The signal system operates as fol-
lows: When the red light alone shows,
1t is a signal to stop. All cars must
stop well back of the signal and none
can proceed, even to make a right
hand turn when the red signal is
against them: when the yellow or am
Der signal is flashed on, at the same
time the red is showing, it is warn
ing that the signal is about to change
from ~stop" to "go." This is in order
that motorists may be prepared to
lowing the flashing of the yellow light
|. The red and yellow die out and the
"green" signal shows. This is the
$50" signal, when all vehicles moving
in that direction may proceed.
Again when the go" or green sig
| nal is TO be changed back to "stop"
or red, the yellow light will flash.
), Yellow Is Emergency Sign.
= One important feature is when the
red and green lights are extinguished
and the yellow alone shows. This is
an emergency signal and is n warning
for all traffic to stop. This signal
will be used on the approach OF fire
apparatus, an ambulance or a similar
emergency.
Two important changes in traffic
regulations become effective with the
inauguration of the automatic sys-
rem. The left hand turn on Houston
street is absolutely prohibited. The
right hand turn must not be made
unless the signal shows green or go.
The plan to prohibit parking on
Houston street from 80 TO 6 $50 in
the afternoon when the new system
WIS placed in operation has been aban-
tloned temporarily and the same park
ing rules as heretofore remain.
May Prohibit Parking.
Police officials have given warn
ING, however, that If it is found that
the parking interferes seriously with
the movement Of traffic. and they be
lieve IL will. an ordinance will be
adupted prohibiting parking during
those hours.
1t is not planned to make arrest;
promiscuouslv the first few days police
officers sav. If the people will Coroner
ri" With them in observing the new
rrcriaiiOns. Every effort will h
made 10 educate the peonle properly
rc~~ riding the workings Of the auto
lna.ie system before rigid enforcement
a. The laws are BEGUN. Police. how
cver. have appealed 10 all who drivr
c@-s 10 render every assistance posi-
bic in order that the system may b.
q success.