Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-28
TO DISCUSS AUTO
AND ROAD PROBLEMS
AT NATIONAL meet

SFoShAh6eohp >NOfs St.- OulH
very small percentage of the street
and highway accidents today can be
attributed directly to construction
and engineering defects" declares
the committee on engineering and
construction of the national confer
ence on street and highway safety
In q report to Secretary of Com
merce Hoover. The recommends
tons made by the committee will
be placed before the national con-
ference which has been called by
Secretary Hoover to meet on Deem
Der 10, IL and II in Washington.
Foreseeing vastly greater
amount OF motor traffic in the fu-
ture. the committee, after several
months of study. has prepared rec
concentrations as to the most mod
ern practices calculated to increase
the capacity of the highways and at
the. same time to improve safety.
Problems OF the grade crossing, of
uniform signs and signals of VISIBLE
ity. of grades and curves are among
the more important dealt with in
the recommendations. But the COM
mittee emphasizes the need of pro-
vidine right-of-way for parking
spaces, for clear view at intersec-
tons, and for future widening "be-
fore the cost of land becomes pro-
hibitive."
Grade crossing elimination
through cooperation of municipali-
ties, states and railroads must be
the ultimate remedy for the rail-
Ill oil 10
the committee declares, with the
continuing recommendations that
the creation of new grade cross
Ing should be avoided wherever pos
sible" even to the extent of relocat-
Ing highways to avoid such difficult
ties; and that crossings remaining
at grade should be safeguarded in
every way"
Automatic signals. crossing flag
men or gates, depending upon the
volume Of rail and highway traffic,
are recommended to supplement the
standard warning signs or pavement
markings. ~ clear view along the
track In both directions should be
maintained" and sharp curves
abrupt changes of grade or other
conditions at or near the tracks
which tend to divert the attention Of
the motorist should be avoided"
Because parking or stopping on
the Travelled portion of rural high
ways Is a common source of dan
ger, the committee recommends that
improved rural highways should be
provided. either continuously or at
intervals not exceeding 300 feet, with
level parking places entirely out
side of the travelled way"
"A clear view of approaching We
hicles for, at least 300 feet should
be provided at all points on high
ways of primary Importance" says
the committee. This may necessi-
tate removing trees, shrubs, and
sloping banks on or off the right
of-way at curves and intersections,
and cutting down sharp hillsides."
Heavy grades and sharp curves
should not be combined" says a
recommendation which would pro-
vide a radius of 300 feet or greater
for curves on highways of primary
importance. Widening and banking
of curves, erection of guard rails
on the shoulders of entertainments.
and elimination of one-way bridges
are also recommended as essential.
Careful selection of detour routes
around highways or streets under
construction or repair Is recommend
ed, with the provision that detours
"should be maintained in safe con-
dition and clearly marked" with
daily inspection as to the condition
and, marking.
White center lines are recon-
mended for curves. Interests, irreg
uIar intersections and other danger
points, but the committee declares
that such lines should not be used
on straight level sections OF high
way. or between blocks in cities.
Marking of pedestrian lanes on the
pavement at busy intersections Is
also recommended.
Illumination of city streets suffi-
GENTLY, to make bright headlights
unnecessary and flood lighting of
traffic officers is recommended. 1.-THE
desirability of lighting rural thor
oughfares carrying heavy night traf-
fic is recognized" continues the re-
port, but it is believed that at the
present time this is in most cases
not feasible" To aid night travel.
objects near the roadway should be
painted white. as should be obstruc-
lions like columns and curbs at the
centers of underpasSes.