Evening star., 1928-11-04

Standards of trafic control for the
Nation have been framed by the Amer
ican Engineering Council. The council,
announcing the findings of survey
conducted by its committee on street
trafic signs, signals and markings,
warns that present practices in some
cities are defeating their own aims.
These cities, declares the report Of
the councils committee, are making two
fundamental errors.
First, placing trafic control devices
without adequate study Of the conditions
which their use Is intended to improve.
intersections resulting from the attempt
to correct undesirable conditions at one
particular intersection.
Second, employing traffic control de-
vices at places and times not justified
by the conditions.
Way to Avoid Errors.
'"This neglect" the committee asserts,
will lead TO ultimate defeat of useful
and effective methods of trafic control.
Such fundamental errors can be avoid
ed by obtaining expert engineering ad-
vice before any system of street traffic
signs, signals and markings is estab-
lished.
The density Of traffic in many cities
emphasizes the need of the standardiZa-
tions of trafic signs, signals and mark
ingS In these cities the safety of
every one depends upon the instant and
full recognition of the meaning OF the
message TO be conveyed by traff1c control
devices, but the diversity of use anC
meaning that now prevails causes great
hazard and delay. Moreover the use of
more uniform traffic control devices will
insure large economies.
THE study shows that there is wide
variation in the practice of placing the
official responsibility for the selection,
placement and maintenance of traffc
signs, signals and markings. The prac-
tice is so diverse that no general state
ment relating to it can be made.
Serious Defect Seen.
"In most cities the responsibility is
placed upon some branch of the police
department. No standard official organ
ization handles questions relating to
traffic signs, signals and markings and
this defect is perhaps one of the most
| serious features of the present condi-
| ton.
"As there is great variation in the
| State laws regarding signs and signals,
it is obviously impossible to make rec
CONCENTRATIONS bIldt can De universally
adopted until many such laws are
amended. Consequently some munich
| palities may have to permit such devia-
| tionS from these recommendation as to
| make them conform to the requirements
| Of State laws
"a vast amount of the equipment now
| in use does not conform to the recon-
mendations here made, but most Of such
| equipment can be made to conform
| substantially with the recommenda-
| tions without excessive cost.
Purchasing New Equipment.
whenever new equipment is pur-
chased or requirements are made be-
cause of the need of repairs or because
of obsolescence. strict adherence to the
preferred standards should govern the
| selection
The engineers sought to determine the
existing best practice in the use of
street traffic signs, signals and mark
ings In all American cities having pop
ulation of $4,000 or more and in some
selected smaller cities in which excep-
| tional conditions have necessitated the
adoption of exceptional practices.
A local committee was organized in