Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25
ACTUAL TRAFFIC CONDITIONS
HAVE TAKEN TURN FOR BETTER
Many Officials Approaching Problem From
Scientific Standpoint Express
Various Views of Optimism.

Despite conventional pessimism over
traffic and official recognition of the
need for concerted action, the job Of
getting about by automobile gives plain
signs of definite improvement. In the
opinion of those who are approaching
the problem, both from a scientific
standpoint and the angle of daily en-
counter with actual conditions, tratflc
has taken a turn for the better
In numerous instances it is being
found that traffic flows more smoothly
than at any time since it became
factor in the modern transportation
scheme. This is most noticeable in the
larger cities where better control has
been supplemented with redesigned
streets
Speaking before representatives of
business and civic associations at a
special luncheon rendered him by the
Philadelphia Chamber Of Commerce,
Burton w. Marsh, the Quaker City'S
new traffic engineer, declared that he
was now in a position to see that there
will be a steady improvement in traffic
conditions. Much significance was at
tached to his statement that he found
many things in Philadelphia which
pleased him, notably the presence OF
many wide streets.
servers the healthiest sign at the
present moment is the gradual elimina-
ton of unnecessary regulations and
restrictions. That traffic has been I'M
necessarily aggravated by unwiSe con-
troll and complicated methods is now
generally recognized even by those cities
which inaugurated unique but i'm
practicable ways of making left turns.
That the public itself recognizes the
f0y. ciy or froadnY10
in car use is best evidenced by frequent
signs of what are, technically, violations
of the ordinances, especially those hav-
ing to do with parking. This has not
been without official sanction, however
unvoiced such approval may be. In
many of the larger cities of the country
daily parking where parking Is pro
hibited" is common sight. Motorists
often are not tagged because their
very violation appears to be contribu-
ton to the smoother flow of traffic.
This is clearly demonstrated in Phila-
delphia, where parking is not permitted
at any time on many of the narrower,
heavily travelled streets in the central
section of the city. At the very moment
the citys new traffic engineer was
speaking to officials, business men ana
representatives of the automobile clubs,
the forbidden areas were a long lane OF
peacefully parked automODlleS.
Mr.. Marsh explained that the park
ing restrictions were not being forced
on the people by the administration.
In further reference to the problem he
added that if streets are not widened,
complete elimination of parking on the
streets of the central section would be-
come essential. The possibility of
actual parking elimination is thus
greatly lessened by the likelihood of
simplified traffic through better ar
rangement of the environment over
which the automobile passes.
SeIf-evident Improvement.
Much of the self-evident improve
ment in traflc is a direct result of the
construction of wider highways, this
having a psychological effect on the
tourist who is the one most likely to
magnify traffic conditions. He is find
ing it easier to make good time over the
open road and also through the resi-
dental sections of cities. Entering a
city little ahead of his former run
ming schedule he is less impatient to
get through. Frequently he does not
even find it necessary to enter con-
gested sections, due to the prevalence OF
special through routes.
A better mental attitude on the part