Evening star., 1930-05-21
TRAFFIC TANGLE
REMEDIES URGED
Scientific Control and Sepa-
ration of Slow and Fast
Vehicle Flow Advocated.

Declaring that traffic congestion is
not a necessary evil, and that 1t is
causing an economic and financial loss
Of two billion dollars annually in the
United States, aside from the cost of
traffic accidents, the findings of the
committee on measures Of relief of traf-
fic congestion of the National Confer
ence of Street and Highway Safety was
made public yesterday.
This report, signed by E. j. Mehren
of Chicago, chairman, will be presented
to the Third National Conference on
Street and Highway Safety. called by
Secretary of Commerce Lamont, the
chairman, to convene here next Tues
day In three day session.
AS remedy. the report at the outset
urges the Federal Government and
municipalities to move for the relief of
congestion by taking traffic needs into
consideration when planning public
buildings.
Pedestrian Cooperation Urged.
Scientific methods of control, separa-
Z ton of the slow from fast moving
trafflc and greater cooperation between
pedestrian and motorists are among the
suggestions advanced for betterment.
The committee says:
Traffic congestion is not a necessary
egil. It can be alleviated and to very
, AGA 6N dCSlCC CilIIllIlutCu Wy CdiCLul SLuuy
and judicious expenditure for immediate
relief measures and permanent improve
ments and by the sound control of land
use.
"All cities should look forward to
their future needs and plan now for
coming requirements for adequate han
ding of traffic problems.
'As an important contribution to this
end. the committee considers that Fed
Nrnl State md nnyfn{rino1 a,,fe
should give prompt consideration to the
problems of traffic congestion that will
arise through the erection Of new build
tngs for governmental use.
Easy Access Is Advocated.
'.Plans for the location and construc-
ton OF such structures should recognize
the need for adequate street service
adjacent to these areas, easy access to
the buildings, requirements of employees
Tor oh-street parking, congestion and
the needs OF the general area In rela-
tion to such buildings or groups Of
buildings"
In defining the elements and causes
OF traffic congestion the committee also
mentions as outstanding the growth in
population, increase in the number and
use Of motor vehicles and the more
intensive use and employment of land
THESE elements, says the committee.
create congestion, however, only by
reason OF the two fundamental causes
Of inadequate streets and roads and the
tnemcient and conflicting use of them.
Outstanding among the findings and
remedies proposed by the committee are
the following:
In view of the improvement in trafic
conditions that can often be effected
by relatively small cost in comparison
with the benefits, there should be in
creased expenditures in most communi-
ties for the relief of congestion.
Such expenditures can be made most
effectively in accordance with a COM
prehensiye plan developed by competent
technical study.
Each municipality with traffic prob
lem should have a traffic commission
OF citizen and official members.
Except on few major thoroughfares
connecting large centers and at q few
major intersections, there is normally
no serious congestion on rural high
ways outside of metropolitan areas.
Adequate Control Is Sought.
Immediate relief, measures, to be ef-
fective. must cover adequate control Of
tramc at important intersections, stand
ara rules governing turns, marking of
trafnc lanes, parking regulations, restric-
tions on the loading and unloading of
Iuel. building materials and similar
supplies, separation of traffic by alloca-
tion. protection and expedition of pedes-
trian movement and vigorous enforce
ment of regulations.
permanent relief measures must in
cluoe creation Of major thoroughfares
In accordance with traffic fiow needs,
Improvement OF intersections, elimina-
ton OF grade crossings with high fire.
quency OF vehicle or train movement,
widening of roadways, street extensions
ana connections. parallel routes, new
arterial highways, development Of by
pass routes, construction of parkways.
development of off-street parking and
loading. and provision for Fairgrounds
for children.
The committee points out with em-
phasis that the inadeuuacy of streets
and highways, springing from the lack
OF far-aghted planning and coming, has
resulted in choking many available
thoroughfares.
The formation Of trafic improve
msnt programs and their execution
touch upon the functions of many city
departments. and in many cities the re-
sponsibilfty is divided" the report says.
Generalization can be secured by the
creation OF an off1cial trafic commits
sion. which Ia considered desirable in
most cities In excess Of $4,000 popula-
ton.
In smaller communities the co-opera-
ton Of existing local departments un-
der the direction of the mayor or CITY
manager. or official designated by him.
VIII generally be sufficient,
Lights May BE Nuisance.
Traffic-control lights are serving their
purpose well. the committee finds, but
when unfortunately used or too fire.
euently placed may become a nuisance,