Evening star., 1923-10-11
ARTERIES FOR FAST
MOTORING FAVORED
Plan Would Speed Up Traffic
and Protect Pedestrians,
Oyster Is Told.

Fixing of an increased speed limit
for vehicles on the main arterial high
ways of the city, with n regulation re-
Quiring machines to come to a stop
before entering or crossing such arte-
ries, was suggested to Commissioner
Oyster today in n report on traffic
problems, submitted by the Washing
ton Motor Club. which is affiliated with
the National Motorists Association.
The club advances two arguments
in support of establishing such a plan:
First, to enable the arteries to handle
more traffic,s and. secondly, to furnish
an incentive to traffic to use these ar
teries.
Aid to Pedestrians.
Another distinct advantage In the
system" the report continues, would
be that it would draw considerable
traffic away from the channels mostly
used by pedestrians. The plan would
draw taxicabs and other fast traffic out
of the congested sections and send them
down Pennsylvania avenue, Massachu-
setts avenue and out. 18th street and
other fast traffic arteries.
This traffic at present is prone to
operate through F, G, III, and 18th
streets. There are large groups of
automobile users who, at present.
through thoughtlessness. habit or for
other unnecessary reasons, go through
the congested districts.
THE purpose of the arterial system
is to furnish an incentive for a large
percentage of this traffic to remain
out of the business districts, particu-
larly at rush hours.
Speed Cuts Accidents.
Your committee calls attention to
the fact that the present average
speed of operators on an arterial road
such as 18th street, for instance, is
greater than the average speed in the
downtown district, yet statistics will
on 18th street than on other streets
of smaller Importance. although 10th
street is now tactitly considered as
an arterial roadway"
The motor club takes the position
that one-way streets in themselves
are not solving any traffic problems
nor does the club believe they are
doing any harm. The club suggests
however. that If they are to be re-
tanned it would be well to use them
southbound. in the morning rush Pc
riod and northbound in the evening
rush period.
More Officers Asked.
The club further suggests that II
one-way streets are to be permanent
it would be more practical to extend
the one-way rule farther north than
the boundary of the congested sec
ton.
The club committee recommends an
L.
licemen to handle traffic under the
proposed arterial or boulevard stop
system.
Strict enforcement of a parking
limit-preferably one hour-on all
main thoroughfares is advocated by
the report to the Commissioner DR.
J. Rozier Biggs, chairman of the
committee, suggests that the parking
problem eventually may necessitate
the building of underground storage
| spaces.
Street Repairing Urged.
Improvement of a few connectine
traffic particularly from West Pc.
tomac Park to X street in George.
town and the Improvement of one oil
more arterial streets connecting
Pennsylvania avenue with Anacostia
bridge is urged in the report.
Inc COmfnltIee tOlQ COmmlSSlOnel
Oyster it had the utmost confidence
| in the policing authorities of the
city and that all recommendation,
and suggestions wire made in a spirit
of cooperation. The committee mem
/! bership follows:
| DR.. J. Rozier Biggs. chairman; ant
| r. B. Cummings, Charles F. Crane
| William j. Cochran. l. NJ. Geldert
IL. L. Goldheim, DIR. L. M. Hynson
| H. l.. Light, William A. Rawlings
| George c Schaeffer, John Oliver L:
! G 49, >1-'s'ff.-'' a. West. Edward
I: /, anu I'll um Cilman.