New Britain herald., 1928-06-09
Eddie McAlOOn suggests
Traffic Problem, solution

Traffic Problem, solution
in Il position to pick out the flaws
in the traffic situation as handled
| III the center man who daily
drives through on an average OF 20
times. should be. Such a man is
Edward McAloon, United States mail
agent, whose duty it is TO transport
mail matter between the railroad
station and the post office.
Mr.. McAloon. in the course of his
trips, has made a mental chart of
ing remedy: Elimination, as has
been previously suggested, of the
aisle of safety" 70 the south of the
park. This stretch Of roadway is no
longer used for trolley purposes,
having degenerated into something
Of road material dumping ground
and parking station for steam roll
lers. etc. He would also have the
traffic standards opposite Court
street, and on the east side Of Main
street, near the southern extremity
Of the park, taken from their pres
ent position which is near the CEN
ter of the road, and strung overhead,
eliminating two distractions to traf-
fic. He proposes that the present
bus station in front of the First
church be eliminated and parking of
buses be permitted on the west side
Of the park over considerably
longer area than is now set aside.
Finally, he would have trolleys
which now leave the center by way
of Church street, routed around the
park and out by way of Chestnut
street.
Removal Of the signal lights and
of the ''aisle Of safety" would permit
OF Considera bly, more roadway for
traffic purposes and would allow ve-
hicles to move along more smoothly,
since there would be no "bottling
up where these standards now form
a narrow neck at the end Of wider
stretches.
With reference 10 the bus stations
Mr.. McAloon emphasizes a fact
which has been evident to many 9TH
ors, namely that the present station
is so much too small that buses are
now frequently ZEN parking almost
in the middle OF the road, waiting
for others to drive away. The sta
ton is on the side Of the street
whore traffic is heaviest. If the sta
ton is moved to- the west side Of the
park and ample space provided one
of the greatest implements to traf-
fc will be eliminated, Mr.. McAloon
feels certain.
Another reform in bus handling,
and one which is sure to find favor
with anyone interested in traffic
problems. is that which would re-
quire operators to kill time' on
the outskirts. stopping in the center
only long enough to take on or dis
charge passengers. Under existing
practices, it is not uncommon for
drivers to leave their cars and 20
TO restaurants to eat while parked in
the center of the city. Keeping the
big cars off the street would lessen
the congestion, it is believed.
With reference to the trolleys-
and it is believed similar rule on
killing time" in the center would
be beneticial-Mr. McAloon points TO
the fact that trolleys turning from
Main street into Church street. COM
pletoly choke off the moving of traf-
iic, and very often. when the trolley
has finally negotiated the turn, THE
signal light has changed and further
delay is encountered. Then. too. the
stopping at several points on Church
street. has a tendency to hold traf-
fic back on Main street and further
complications arise.
1t is true that the trolleys after
rounding the park would be requir-
ed to cut across traffic to go into
Chestnut street, but it is argued that
traffic is lighter at this point, the
highway wider. and that vehicles 60
ing south are not blocked allowing
cmptying Of the street in one direc-
ton. whereas the present scheme re-
suits in total tying up.
Mr.. McAloon appears to have Civ
on the problem serious thought. The
ordinance committee Of the common
council would do well to study his
plan. preferably in company with its
sponsor.