Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26
DAWN IS FORECAST
IN AUTO SPEED ERA
Motor Engineers Convinced
Quick Transportation Fa-
ciIities Are Assured.

Each year automobile show state
mentS carry predictions of greatly in
creased speed rates on the highway
and in incorporated communities ac-
cording to Hupp motor car engineers.
But never have we been so thoroughly
convinced that we are really approach
ing an era of greater speed
The American people as a nation
have lately become interested in speed.
But this interest in speed is not of the
race-track type. Instead, it has come
to mean swift, undelayed transportation
for either freight or passengers-the
quick movement of commercial or per-
sonal vehicles to distant points. And
therein lies our prediction that we will
have much higher speeds on our ma
tional highways within the next few
years than has heretofore been pos
sible
1t was not so many years ago that
State statute books restrained the speed
of automobiles and other vehicles to 25
and even Is miles an hour in certain
areas. Three or four years ago the ma
jority of towns and cities posted no.
tices of Is miles an hour speed limit
with strong punishment melted out to
offenders. Generally speaking, we now
have two municipal speed limits-25
and Is miles an hour in residence and
business districts, respectively. Some
NAbACo AldNC SCCI III W CNCu ldASC Ills
limit, with no appreciable increase in
fatalities.
Uniform Law Predicted.
Yes, it is even possible that we may
shortly have uniformity of municipal
speed regulations of IS and Is, respec-
lively. This will come only with the
development and revamping of the
present congestion and muddled traffic
control found in our principal cities
But we do not believe we will increase
the speed of motor-car traffic within
our larger cities to what will eventually
be normal speed on country roads.
The greatest progress made in quick
transportation is found in our main
roads between villages, towns and cities.
And it is in this particular that the
rate of travel in the future, we believe,
will be materially increased.
The State of Michigan some time ago
removed its speed limit. A more eff
fective control of apprehending and
driving was devised. Yet this State has
shown no increase in traffic fatalities
due entirely to speed. Other States
either have taken similar action or are
considering such a step. In most places
the results have been much faster
transportation between. cities, particu-
larry those far apart. We are still far
1AOAI lAlC uAt4LloSC III AdSo3 AOAA6
lance travel.
Time Wasted in Trials and Tests.
Much time has been wasted and con-
siderable confusion has resulted from
hundreds of independent Investigations,
trials and tests conducted by the vari-
Gus States and cities to determine the
proper rate of thoroughfare travel.
True. individual communities and con-
ditions are not alike and are ever
changing Yet this lack of uniformity
in control of traffic and the many traf-
&c rules and restrictions is not only
embarrassing, but often tedious, to those
thousands of motorists who are con-
stantly on the road for business or
pleasure reasons.
Were we to suggest a single traffic aid
for improved road travel and control it
would be the introduction of super
highways without the usual large num-
Der of surface crossroads and railway
crossings. This system of highways
would, of course, be boulevarded, for
every community has experienced the
accident toll of highways with traffic
moving in both directions.
But boulevarded SuperhighWayS are
only the beginning. Other things must
be done to relieve the present traffic
congestion and the slow time on long
runs. We would eliminate the surface
crossings at every mile post on such
highways. Instead, paralleled ap-
proaches at regular and greater inter-
walls would gradually permit the occa-
eional driver to enter the fast-moving
stream of long-distance travellers. These
main arteries would either dip under or
pass over all railway crossings. The
intersections Of superhighwayS would be
the other and similar types OF gradual
parallel approaches would permit
change of direction for drivers on either
main roadway. Where local traffic con-
troll is necessary trafic lights would be
so grouped as to provide no interruption
for motorists driving at SO and so miles
an hour. or even faster, on these
through arteries.
Serious Deterrent Noted.
Probably the most serious deterrent
10 an organized increase in speed rates
Is the possibility of human error or lack
of proper Judgment in q traffic emer-
gency. This is one hazard that will
always persist Automobiles may be
made foolproof in their operation and
safe in their control. Precautions of
every sort may be taken to give the
driver every possible advantage in
stopping, steering or starting. Yet that
driver must remain master of both his
own destiny and that of others. He
will probably always make the ap-
preaching driver or those in the cars
''guess what he's going to do next And
there appears to be no immediate solu-
ton to this problem except to apply
common yardstick to traffic regulations
and then broadcast in every possible
way complete educational program
that will make every driver conscious
of the things he is supposed to do and
those that are prohibited.
Bearing all of these suggestions in
mind, it does not seem unreasonable to
us that long trips will be easily and
comfortably made within the near flu
ture at speeds of so, go and even IS
miles an hour. with the proper precau-
tons having been taken to safely and
sanely direct this high-speed traffic
over long distances.