Evening star., 1937-10-31
100000 Autos in d. C. Today
Far Cry From l,247 of 1904
RicvcIe Traffic Vas Problem for City
Fathers at Turn of Century,
$4,000 in Use Then.

In March, 1925, the office OF the
director of traffic was created by
Congress, charged with the licensing
of automobile drivers and the regu-
lation of traffic on the streets Of the
District, and on November 26 of that
year the first traffic signals were in
stalled at Eighteenth and New Hamp-
shire avenue. These were soon followed
by installations at Fifteenth and H
streets northeast, North Capitol street
and Florida avenue and on Sixteenth
street from K street to Florida avenue.
During the fiscal year 1926-27, all
motorists were required to obtain new
permits which would expire three
years from the date of issuance, as at
present. and during that year l08,471
permits were. issued. as compared with
S52 issued in 1902-03 when permits
were first required.
Signal System Expanded.
During the next few years the signal
system was steadily expanded, the
greatest number of installations being
made in 1929, during which year sig
mails were placed at 131 intersections.
1t was also during 1881 that angle
parking was abolished. and it is
interesting to note that this prohibition
was in the police regulations of 1900
but had been allowed to lapse with
the advent of the auto.
In 1881 Congress created the De-
partment Of Vehicles and Traffic. This
department replaced the Office of the
director of traffic and in addition to
the duties performed by that Office it
was charged with the titling and regis
tration of motor vehicles and more
recently with the administration of the
financial responsibility law.
During 1881 the first flexible pro-
gressive system of traffic control was
installed on Rhode Island avenue and
since that time this system of control
has been extended to all the inter
sections in the downtown area and
most of the outlying sections.
During 1884 the first rush-hour one
way operation was tried on Thirteenth
street northwest and it has proved so
successful that it has been extended
to other streets. Also during the last
few years multi-movement timers to
permit separate turning movements
of traffic have been successfully tried
and the department also has expert
mented with pedestrian signals.
Studies have been made of the
starting hours Of Government De-
partments and private businesses in an
effort to relieve the heavy peak of
traffic just before am. at which
time $4,000 Government and $4,000
private employees now begin work The
starting time of several of the depart
ments has been staggered" over 15-
minute periods from to 8 am. and
it is hoped that in the near future
others also will be changed
Store Owners Cooperate.
Store owners have co-operated in
this effort by changing their opening
hour from 9:15 am. to $50 am, re-
lieving the peak by some 5000 en-
ployes.
Studies are being made by this
department and by the Highway De-
partment of possible street changes to
aid traffic flow. Among other plans
being considered are Subways or under
passes under Dupont and Thomas
Circles, grade separations at Four
teenth and Water streets southwest,
Thirteenth street and Florida avenue
northwest, and Florida avenue and
lexington place northeast and a road
way over the old c. & o. Canal or an
elevated highway over K street north
west from Rock Greek Parkway to Key
Bridge to relieve congestion on M
street
Among the changes in signals which
are being studied are Neon one-way
arrow signs for use on rush-hour one
way streets which should make those
streets easily identifiable, and Neon
pedestrian signals displaying don't
walk" indication as well as a walk"
indication so that pedestrians as we'll
as motorists will have stop" signal
These and other changes in the
streets and in the control systems
which are being studied or planned
will contribute materially to the speedy
and safe movement of traffic in the
District and add to the comfort and
safetv of the users of its HIGHWAYS.