Evening star., 1926-04-25
CHICAGO TRAFFIC
.J.SURvEY REPORTED
Plan fer Major Streets to Fa-
ciIitate Movement to
Suburbs Outlined.

Results Of survey of transporta-
ton conditions in Cook County, par
ticularly in the zone surrounding
Chicago, indicating the problems
growing out of traffic congestion
which must be solved by other large
cities. are given in a report recently
completed by the Bureau of Public
Roads. The survey was made under
the Joint supervision of Thomas Ii.
Mcdonald, chief of the bureau, and
Mai George Fl. Quinlan. Superintend-
ent of Cook County highways.
A plan of major streets for Chicago
has been worked out under auspices
of the Chicago City Plan Commission.
according to which the county high-
way system is co-ordinated with the
city plan. 1t includes the construc-
ton of pavements on approximately
S3S miles of highway, of which ap-
proXimately PAS miles must be opened
as well as paved and the widening OF
approximately 81 miles of present
pavement.
1t is stated by j, Gordon Mckay,
chief of the division of highway trans
port in the Bureau Of Public Roads,
who directed the actual survey work,
in his report, that the building OF
highways in the Chicago area, In spite
of a continuous construction program.
has not kept pace with the lncreas-
ing volume of traffic. During the
period from 1913 to 1925, there were
constructed in the county 346 miles or
paved highways at cost or approx
mately $40, ,440, 900, nearly one mile OF
improved highway for every two
square miles of area. Since lSZU, the
mileage of improved highway has been
decreasing steadily.
Big Traffic Gain Expected.
"On the basis Of past experience"
Mr. Mckay says, highway traffic
may be expected to increase even
more rapidly than population. The
traffic is closely related to the number
of traffic units as reflected in motor
vehicle registration and the registra-
ton is increasing more rapidly than
population. In 1914, 3l,869 motor ve-
hicles were registered in Chicago, or
one vehicle for 1871 persons. In 1924,
the registration of motor vehicles was
05,143, or one vehicle for 9.64 per-
sons"
The survey revealed that vehicles
registered in the city of Chicago domi-
nate the traffic on the county high
ways. more than SO per cent of all
trucks recorded on them being
registered in the city. 1t also was
shown that there exists a lack of
continuous through routes from and
TO the city and outlying sections, a
condition existing in other cities.
The major purpose of the survey
was to determine the character of
road improvements on the basis of
three important factors. They were:
First, present and estimated future
traffic density; second the average
daily number of motor trucks of
large. medium and small capacity
using various sections Of the system;
third, maximum wheel loads and the
frequency Of heavy gross loads and
wheel loads.
Lists Traffic Needs.
Summing up the traffic difficulties
not only of Chicago, but of other
large cities as well, Mr.. Mckay has
the following to say:
THE rapid growth Of population
and motor vehicle registration, the de-
crease Of improved highway mileage
in proportion to motor vehicle regis
tration, the lack of improved city con-
nections and sufficient through routes
in this city, the lack of adjustment
of the present highway system to
traffic needs, gaps in the present
highway system and the natural and
artificial barriers to highway develop
ment are the principal causes of the
inadequacy Of the present highway
system and Of traffic congestion
Discussing the delays and conse-
quent costs and loss of time to the
business community he cites the fact
that during an eight-hour period at a
railroad crossing on Western avenue,
where traffic exceeds $4,000 vehicles a
day, the crossing was blocked an
average of IL minutes an hour, and
during one hour was closed 80
minutes.
Looking ahead to traffic conditions
in Chicago in 1880, the report gives
an estimated motor vehicle registra-
ton of 670,500 cars, an increase of
119 per cent over the 1924 figures. It
is predicted that Western avenue.
near the city line, may be expected to
carry an average Of $4,000 vehicles
a day. At least Ave other routes NAV
be expected to carry daily average
in excess Of 10000 vehicles near the
city line.