Evening star., 1935-11-03

SIccLS pdIhllcuuB Tic MAIL anu Tie
numbered streets at right angles to
them. For ease Of travel between the
salient points mentioned as well as
between other probable centers, Len
FAINT superimposed upon this rectangu-
lar system a diagonal system Of ave-
nues radiating from the Capitol, sup
plemented by other diagonak paral-
leling or intersecting them.
This angular intersection of the
street system provided unusual op-
portun.ties for Identification by virtue
Of the numerous odd-shaped parcels
Of land created. The climaxing fea-
lures were the larger areas at the in
tersection of several streets and ave-
nues, the treatment of which resulted
in the establishment Of large circular
plots. These multiple intersections,
with their beautiful treatments. and
the pleasant vistas offered by the
streets radiating from them, add to
the beauty of the city, but. unfortu-
nately, offer serious obstacles to the
free movement of trafiic because they
are not designed for modern trafac.
It was not until well after the ad-
vent of the automobile that any
thought was given to the movement Of
trafic about these circular areas.
Since that time rules have been
adopted providing that all trafflc shall
move into these circles to the right.
Thus the circles are one-way, with
trafic moving counter -clockwise. This
helps the situation but does not solve
1t because the roadways in most Of
these circles are too narrow and the
intersection streets too close together
to take care Of all Of the traffic which
enters them.
Real Safety Sought.
It is generally conceded by highway
and trafiic engineers that the roadway
in these circles should be provided
for one quarter as many trafflc lanes
as the total free lanes Of traffic which
enter the circle for all intersecting
streets, provided that the maximum
number Of lanes do not exceed six.
The highway engineers OF the
District in cooperation with traffic
engineers are attempting to solve
many Of these problems and to build
real safety into the streets of Wash
ington. The work of making physical
changes to existing streets so as to
provide greater safety. convenience
and comfort. as well as constructing
new ones and performing the neces-
sary repairs, must be carried on with
as little inconvenience to the public
as possible. To shorten the time Of
street closing and consequent detours.
the Department of Highways has
authorized the use Of high early
strength concrete in the construction
and reconstruction Of many of its
downtown streets, main thoroughfares
and intersections.
An increasing volume Of traffic,
often too heavy for minor streets,
and the lack of suitable detours. has
lead to the adoption Of partial width
construction wherever practical on all
main thoroughfares forty feet and
more in width. Under this plan one
half Of the roadway is under con-
struction and the other half open
to traf1c, after which traffic Is placed
on the new roadway and the re-
manning half completed While this
often results In some congestion and
slowing down Of traffic. as well as in.
creased construction cost. 1t is con-
sidered far preferable to an expensive
and tedious detour or use Of q mar
row. inadequate, adjacent roadway.
improvements for Motorists.
A large portion Of the roadway i'm
provements are undertaken for the
benefit of the motoyists so as to pro-
vide not only for his safety, but for
his comfort and convenience. The
motorist can be Of great assistance to
those engaged in this work by obey
ing official signs placed for his safety
ar convenience And as q protection
to the work. A street Closed" sign
indicates that, travel Is not safe, and
the barricades in connection there
With that the pavement Is moi. ready
for use. Serious injury to new pave
ments has been caused In many cases
by the removal Of barricades and the
use o. the roadway before it was ready
for service.
OF even more importance, however,
is the disregard Of the caution" sign,
indicating construction work. This
sign is invariably used in connection
with underground work. roadway re-
pair. preliminary work in advance OF
surfacing or half-width construction
1t Is warning to drive slowly, that
men are working In or near the road
way. These signs are placed as a
protection to the motorist and the
workmen. Motorists are urged to re-
duce their speed and proceed with
extreme caution, for human lives are
involved and their safety is at stake