The Washington times., 1928-11-07
TRAFFIC SIGNS.
standardized !.
IN SURVEY

STANDARDS Oh CFALA1C SOAAsA - 49,
the nation have been framed by the
American Engineering Council. The
council, announcing the findings Of
a survey conducted by its. committee
on street traffic signs, signals, and
markings, warns that present prac'
tees in some cities are defeating
their own aims
These cities. declares the report Of
the councils committee, are making
two fundamental errors:
First. placing traffic control de.
vices without adequate study OF the
conditions which their use is In
tended to improve, or of the evil
effects produced at some intersec'
tions resulting from the attempt to
correct undesirable conditions at one
particular intersection.
Second, employing traffic control
devices at places and times not Justt-
fled by the conditions.
Most Effective Method
"This neglect" the COMMITTEES as.
serts, will lead to the ultimate
defeat Of useful and effective meth
DDS Of traffic control. Such funda.
mental errors can be. avoided BY
obtaining expert engineering advice
before any system OF street traffic
signs. signals. and markings -
established.
"The density OF traffic in many
cities emphasizes the need Of the
Standardization Of traffic signs,
signals. and markings. In these
cities the safety Of everyone de-
ponds upon the instant and full rec.
IGNITION Of the meaning OF the
message to be conveyed by traffic
control devices, but the diversity
Of use and meaning that now pre-
walls causes great hazard and delay.
Moreover, the use of more uniform
traffic control devices will insure
large economies.
Wide Variation
"The study shows clearly that
there is wide variation in the prac-
tice Of placing the official response
bility for the selection, placement,
and maintenance Of traffic signs,
signals, and markings. The practice
Il so diverse that no general state
ment relating to Il can be made.
I'm most cities the responsibility
|is placed upon some branch Of the
police department. No standard
official organization handles cues
lions relating to traffic signs,
signals and markings and this de-
feet Is perhaps one of the most
serious features Of the present con-
ditiOn.
ga. 49, 4. .~rna% No vSot;nrv, IN
the State laws regarding signs and
signals, II is obviously impossible
to make recommendation that can
be universally adopted until many
such laws are amended. Conse-
quently some municipalities may
have to permit such deviations from
these recommendation as to make
them conform to the requirements
or State laws.
"A vast amount OF the equipment
now In use does not conform to the
recommendation here made, but
most OF such equipment can be
made to conform substantially with
the recommendation without ex.
cessive cost.
whenever new equipment Is pur-
chased or requirements are made
because Of the need Of repairs or
because OF obsolescence, strict adj
herence to the preferred standards
should govern the selection"
The Best Practice
The engineers sought to determine
the existing best practice In the
use of street traffic signs, signals
and markings in all American cities
having q population Of $4,000 or
more and in some selected smaller
cities in which exceptional condi
tons have necessitated the adoption
Of exceptional practices.
A local committee was organized
in each city selected for study. The
membership Of these committees In
cluded engineers. safety men, auto
mobile club members and representa-
tives OF other groups.
The councils main committee was
composed as follows: w. B. Powell
chairman. Buffalo. n. z; Sidney J
| williams, Chicago; A. B. Barber
| Washington; C. Fl. Bissell, Syracuse
n. Y: w. Graham Cole, New York
James A. Cook, Lynn. Mass; w. 7
Dempsey. New York; Thomas Fitz
gerald, Pittsburgh; e. p. Goodrich
New York; e. w. James, Washing
| ton: M. g. Lloyd. Washington: Bur
ton w. Marsh, Pittsburgh; Theodore
D. Pratt, New York: A. H. Rudd
Philadelphia; G. o. Sheriff., Cincin
natl: Ernest Smith, Washington: r
II. Winkley, Schenectady, N. Y,
and L. w. Wallace, Washington