Evening star., 1924-07-31
ARTER|A[ STREETS
| SEEN TRAFFIC AID
Establishment in D. c., How
",
lever, May Wait on Funds
n From Congress.
AVOIDS CROSSING PERILS
Principal Avenues and Sixteenth
a Street Are Listed for Scheme,
IL if Adopted.

establishment Of certain highways
oSsthrough traffic in this city. known
asSarterial highways, has been given
MICH consideration in the studies OF
nsthods for relieving the traffic stu
alton here and moving it quickly out
Off the zones where congestion fire.
qdsntly occurs. However, there is
iittle prospect that these highways
VIII be established until such time
ash Congress provides funds with
which to put a system of signs and
liEhting which will leave no excuse
fdE those who disobey the regula-
ti1rs governing them.
Mhe following streets have been
Hsted for arterial highways:
pennsylvania avenue.
connecticut avenue.
Massachusetts avenue.
Hherman avenue.
Meorgia avenue
Nhode Island avenue.
Mew Hampshire avenue.
Sixteenth street.
These all bear a heavy burden OF
the traffic moving through the city,
and many of them have dangerous
cfpSs streets. where accidents are of
fraquent occurrence. particularly dur
ing the period when traffic is at it's
peak
II Traffic Has Right Of Way.
.The chief advantage of these So
called arterial highways is that the
traffic on them has the right of way,
aHH those desiring to cross these
stfeets must come to a complete stop
bSfore entering or crossing. thus put
ting on them the burden of keeping
ctear. Such provision in the regu-
lrfhy A. y,
toward cutting down the toll of traf-
fiSiaccidents.
IThe nearest approach to anything
of,the kind that Washington now has
ISL the new provision in the police
regulations providing that traffic
avenue and desiring to enter Thir-
teAnth street or cross it, must come
top complete stop before doing so.
Unfortunately. a death occurred at
SUCH a regulation was adopted. The
point is dangerous one, as 1t is at
the foot of Thirteenth street hill.
where cars rush it" to get UP. and
it is hard to stop when cars are COM
ing down. The regulation went into
effect last Monday
The regulation was opposed by In
spector Headley, head of the Traffic
Bureau, unless electrically lighted
signs were placed. notifying motor
ISIS that they must stop. This sign
now is being prepared and will be
operation with the District electrical
department, which will place a light
ON 1t. The effect of this regulation on
traffic will be watched closely by the
police, and it may be the entering
wedge for the establishment Of ar
terial highways.
4, Establishment Expensive.
tablish these highways. and erect
lighted signs all alond the line, esti-
mated at from $50 to $50 a light. The
traff1c department is opposed to their
establishment unless there are light
ed signs to notify motor traffic that
itG must stop before crossing the
streets.
While those who have been study
ing the establishment Of such high
ways are not disposed at first to al
low any increase in speed along them,
it twas pointed out that with their
Establishment will pass the provision
of, the regulations requiring motor
lists to slow. down to twelve miles an
hour at intersections. 1t was pointed
out that when established the traffic
is "a general disposition of those using
them to comply with the speed regu-
1afions then in effect there is a possi-
biifty that the speed limit may be in
creased along them.
Many accidents, it has been shown,
occur on the streets that bear heavy
traffic by vehicles crossing them hur-
rySng through without first ascer-
tafning that the road is clear.
vt many of the intersections it Is
hard to see cross traffic until almost
on.Itthe curb line, and sometimes it is
haEd to stop unless the brakes are
exceedingly good.
The arterial highways are favored
by,;those in charge of traffic, but, of
coArse, they want to establish them
riaht-that is, by providing lights
and signs, and until Congress pro-
vides the money there is little likeli-
hoSd of bringing them about. 1t is
believed. however, that they will ma
teYfally relieve the traffic tie-ups that
frequently occur, as the traffic will
moYe quickly out of the areas of con-
geAtion. and moving traffic does not