Evening star., 1929-04-21
UNIFORM TRAFFIC
. LAWS BEING URGED
American Engineering Coun-
Gil in Move to Obtain Action
Throughout U. S.

Plans to bring about the adoption of
uniform traffic practice in every munich
pality of the United States are an
nounced by the American Engineering
Council, 26 Jackson place.
Through State committees which are
being selected the council will urge
official recognition of the Recommended
tionS resulting from years Nation
wide survey by its committee on street
traffic signs, signals and markings. The
survey, directed from Washington, COW
cred 35 States and the returns analyzed
were collected in more than 100 cities
having population of over 33,00O,0 600.
The report of the councils committee,
now available to the public, declares that
the practice recommended will by gen.
eral use make traffic on city streets both
safer and more convenient.
Difficulty in enforcement is foreseen
owing to the wide variation in the prac-
tice of placing the official responsibility
for the selection, placement and main
tenance of traffic signs, signals and
markings.
Practice Not Uniform.
'The practice is so diverse that no
general statement relating to it can be
made" the council pointed out in a
statement by President Arthur w.
Berresford. I'm most cities the re-
sponsibility is placed upon some branch
Of the police department. No standard
official organization handles questions
relating to traffic signs, signals and
markings, and this defect is perhaps
one OF the most serious features Of the
present condition.
"Some municipalities may have to
permit some deviations from the coun-
ellis recommendations so as to make
them conform to the requirements OF
State laws. A vast amount of the
] equipment not in use does not conform
substantially with the recommendation
without excessive cost.
1.-THE density of traffic in many cities
. emphasizes the need of Standardizing
traffic signs, signals and markings. In
J these cities the safety of everyone de-
pends upon the instant and full recog-
milton of the meaning Of the message
to be conveyed by the traffic-control
devices, but the diversity of use and
meaning that now prevails causes great
hazard and delay.
Policy Carefully Considered.
every effort has been made to pro-
duce report which is a true express
sion of the best thought and largest
experience. No recommendation has
been made without careful considera-
ton of every opinion held concerning
the regulation of traffic.
THE committee has not invariably
recommended the practice that is most
general, because some of the newer
practices, although less common, are
deemed better than the older ones.
"A local committee was organized in
each city selected for study. The men,
bership of these committees included
engineers, safety men, automobile club
members and representatives of other
groups. Carefully prepared question
naireS and instructions covering signs
signals and markings were furnished to
these committees.
These missionaries were divided
into two parts. The first part was de-
signed to elicit certain definite facts
This material was supplied by the city
officials in charge of traffic control de-
vices. The second part was designed to
obtain an expression of opinion from
the members of the local committees
as to the effectiveness of the equipment
and practices now in use.
Effort Made to Learn Defects.
"a special effort was made to learn
the defects that had caused the aban-
VI ally tyPC Va OHuAPllAC1AS Vi
any method. For many cities the opin-
ion of the committee was supplemented
by that of city officials.
"The first part forms the basis of the
report, which constitutes definite
traffic code nationally applicable.
Moreover, the committee, through
the cooperation of approximately 80
local committees, obtained factual data
and authoritative comment relating to
traffic signs, signals and markings in
over 100 cities.
This material was carefully COM
piled and formed the basis of the rec
concentrations contained in this report
The compilation contains tables show
ing the number Of cities using each type
of sign, signal and marking. It also
contains statements concerning many
related matters, such as colors used,
time intervals, safety zones and the
like.
Anyone directly interested may secure
from the council copy of Part II, and
O report on the volume of traffic which
justifies the installation of signal"
Committees to urge the acceptance of
the code have already been appointed
in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa. Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis-
souri,, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania. Rhode
Island. Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin