The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-05-18
SURVEY OF STATE HIGHWAYS


ways Of Maryland has been under
taken by the Engineering Depart
ment of the keystone Automobile
Club of Maryland, to determine the
immediate and future needs for wild
er and safer arteries of travel.
This announcement is made in
the May issue of Keystone Motorist,
official publication of the Club. 1t
is emphasized that the investigation
is independent of and along different
lines from any other study of the
highways under way or in prospect.
Its sole purpose is "fact-finding and
not fault-finding, the announce
ment states Publication of the re-
suits of the survey will begin short
ly.
According to the Club statement,
this is the first time in the history
of Maryland that any civic organiza-
-tion has undertaken a comprehen-
sive study of the highway system.
eve propose" the announcement
continues, ''to place before the peo-
pie of Maryland the true picture of
the States highway needs. The
recommendation will be based on
engineering data obtained b. actual
investigation of the roads.
william S. Canning, the Clubs
Engineering Director, is in charge
of the survey. He is we'll qualified
for the task by reason OF his extern
sive experience in highway planning
and construction, coupled with a
keen knowledge of and interest in
the science of traffic engineering.
The study he is directing will en-
brace not only physical construction
of the States roads, but the factors
needed to make them safe fol- mod
ern travel.
Maryland is acknowledged to
have been leader in the coed roads
movement In early days of the
adequate highways and assumed
leadership in providing roads to
meet the requirements. Hard sur
faced roads were built to the limit
of the resources from motor fees,
gasoline tax and bond issues. The
object was to improve as many roads
as possible with the funds available,
and in consequence the lines of old
highways, originally Indian trails,
were followed by the road builders.
1.-The winding, sharp-curving roads
then constructed were considered
safe and adequate twenty years ago.
With the increase in motor vehicles
use of the highways becomes dan
gerous-a fact fully recognized by
State authorities. Some Of the
hazardous conditions have been re-
moved by road relocations; many
others still exist.
at is the purpose of the Club to
show through it's engineering in
vestigation the danger spots most in
need of correction. The study will
also cover types of highway con-
struction and the adequacy of roads
for the traffic they carry. The pre-
liminary survey has disclosed that
many roads are too narrow for the
volume of traffic-a situation of ut
most hazard when considered in
conjunction with the other physical
characteristics.
Motorists of Maryland are prom
Used a comprehensive report on
their roads. The findings will be
based on facts, not guesswork. The
Keystone Automobile Club of Mary
land has only one purpose in under
taking the survey-to give the
motorists of the State the benefit of
public service that Keystone alone
is equipped to render.
ALBERT E. Buckley, Manager of
the Club in Maryland, with head
quarters at SO North Charles St.,
Baltimore, is lending every assist
ance to the investigation, placing
members of the Motor Patrol at the
disposal of the engineers in working
out plans for the elimination of road
dangers. In fact, no avenue of
fact-finding has been overlooked,
and the completed report will repre-
sent the combined efforts of all
agencies of the Club qualified to as
sist in the work"