Evening star., 1926-01-24
ENGINEER ENTERS CITY ARENA
TO SOLVE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
Science Holds Key to Battling Situation and Will Play
Vital Part W hen Amateur ''Experts'' Step Aside.
No Field for Business Men and Police

suddenly and unfairly reversed. The
: sign is an automaton. The officer
should not be.
Another endeavors to speed up traf-
tic by making an excessive number OF
changes. Kaleidoscopically, the traf-
tic moves along the avenue. then the
cross street The effect is congestion
that at times, is nothing short OF
amazing. The officer has failed to
make allowance for the different de-
srees Of pickup in the cars making
up the stream whose flow and ebb he
directs. In short. he is deficient IN
knowledge of the mechanical limita-
tons of the vehicles he controls.
Use All Major Branches.
The traffic engineer will use all
ma jor branches of science in his enort
to put traffic on a sensible and safe
basis He will call upon his knowi-
edge of chemistry and possibly add a
dash of physiology. Nehicular tubes
under rivers. arched streets and traf-
iic undefpasseS entail an understand
ing OF air pollution. ana particularly
of the effect of such pollution upon
the physical and mental condition of
pedestrians and automobile drivers.
One Of the things the tratnc enSl-
neer will do is to abolish the evil OF
traffic ills. He viii recognize traffic
problems. rather than a single trat-
tfc problem. He will use for one city
a plan that he might discard for
another. Heretofore. there has been
too much imitation. Many smaller
cities already have complicated their
local traffic conditions by adopting
plans that were successful when APP
piled TO larger cities. but 10 the latter
exclusively.
The traffic engineer would no more
advise 4 standardized traffic system
for all cities than an architect would
advise the same sort of building for
every housing purpose. This will not
interfere With plans LOOKING to stand
ardiZation OF motor vehicle regula-
tions because the traffic engineer will
recognize the value of having all
drivers, natives or strangers. ''at
home" in traffic. Where specific ar
rangements are requil ed he will pro
vide adequate warning 10 drivers and
pedestrians.
Mostly Side Issue.
Many cities have made traffic sur
veys and thousands Of individuals are
buSily engaged trying TO make some
thing out of TIL" maze of information.
But with very few exceptions those
SO engaged are considering traffic as
Il side issue. They are engaged in
Other work which takes up most of
their working time. The develop
ment OF traffic engineers and their
appointment to important posts as
aides to the CitY's traffic directors
would make a definite end TO the
present quihbling and fusslng over
condition that already has required
only the attention of people who are
equipped to meet il.
IN the meantime, the entire Nation
= paying the penalty for experimental
ion. Regulations change from day
70 day. Policies are altered before
they are applied. Little consideration
is given for the changes in the me-
ChaniCal features and capabilities of
vehicles themselves. The mental
processes of the automobile driver
and of the pedestrian are totally
ignored.
When the traffic engineer comes
into his own traffic Viii be converted
from u national loss into a national
accessory to progress and develop
ment. The engineer holds the key
that unlocks, not merely solutions
TO traffic problems, but a new era in
transportation as Well