The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-27
new TRAFFIC
CONTROL FOR
CITY OUTLINED
Councilman Meurer Would
Change Light System in
Downtown Area.
FAVoRS DOUBLE LANES
Two Lines of Cars Would
Speed Up Travel, Says
investigator.

Albert Meurer, chairman Of the
city council public works committee.
today advocated establishment of
a centrally controlled electric traffic
light system for the downtown area.
THE traffic signals should be
synchronized to prevent punching
at corners and provide smoothnesS
and dispatch in all streets.
Monument circle needs no light con-
troll, only the streets leading from
it," Meurer declared.
Abolition of the present pedestrian
regulation at Illinois, Meridian,
and Pennsylvania streets, on Wash
ington street: strict enforcement OF
thirty minute downtown parking
period, and establishment of double
traffic lanes at downtown corners
were other proposals made by
Meurer, who has been studying IN
dianapolis' traffic needs for several
weeks.
Wants Two Traffic Lanes
Other city officials have sought to
abolish the pedestrian regulation on
Washington street, allowing pedeS-
TRANS to move with traffic as at
other downtown corners.
Requiring motorists to use two
traffic lanes at all downtown cor
nerS would eliminate delay and re-
duce the long lines that now cause
congestion. Widening of the street
was suggested at corners which will
not permit two lanes at present.
Persons wishing to turn right would
use the lane next to the curb.
"a right turn lane should be pro-
vided at all downtown corners"
Meurer said.
Meurer contended that the police
department is not equipped properly
to serve a city with population OF
100000 and an area of seventy
square miles, 500 miles Of paved
streets and about 100000 automo-
biles.
Too Few Policemen
Inadequate appropriation has pre-
vented the police department from
obtaining the necessary equipment
and men.
There are only thirteen motor
cycle officers to police this vast area,
and they are divided in three shifts.
The greatest number on duty at any
one time is seven men. This is a
ridiculous condition. We should
have at least twenty-five as a mini
num-" Meurer said.
Abolition of the pedestrian bell
system would enable Police Chief
Claude Worley to assign part of the
downtown traffic squad to other po-
lice duties.
Establishment of the bell system
here has proved that people can
hurry while in the streets. There
never before was so much running
at downtown corners in the history
of indianapolis. In this day and
age it is not safe to be half-asleep,
absent-minded or preoccupied while
in the streets of any city.
Pedestrian Should Watch
'"The first consideration of the Pc
destrian should be self-preseryation,
rather than the hit me if you dare
attitude SO many display. Assuming
that Indianapolis citizens are as
alert and intelligent as those Of
other cities, I see no reason why we
can not remove the restrictions and
let them cross any street when,
where and as they please" Meurer
declared.
Building of a subway for pedes-
TRANS at Meridian and Washington
streets was proposed. Shops and.
news stand rental would pay the
cost of the subway, he said.
Meurer suggested that there be eight
entrances and exists.
Requiring the street car company
to reroute street cars to eliminate
turns at Capitol avenue, Illinois, Me-
ridian, Pennsylvania and Delaware
streets, permitting other traffic TO
make right turns, was urged.