Evening star., 1946-09-12
D. {. Traffic Signals
To Be ReshuffIed,
Keneipp DiscIoses

Disclosing that the city's system
of traffic signals now Is under in
tensive study, George C. Keneipp
today explained that the survey was
aimed toward replacing lights at
intersections where they are more
badly needed and at repairing and
refining lights at their present
locations.
In reviewing the growing prob
lem, he assured the city that the
traffic situation was under study
with corrective measures being
taken as rapidly as possible.
Pointing out that the traffic de-
partment does not have money for
additional lights, he said that
should the survey warrant, some
signals would be removed.
mo lights will be installed or re-
tained." he declared, unless condi-
tions meet the requirements"
Lights to Be Set Up.
Speaking yesterday before the
zonta Club at the Lee Sheraton
Hotel, Mr.. Keneipp announced
however, that nine triff1c lights
would be placed at the following
dangerous intersections:
Seventeenth and G streets NE.
Seventh and r streets NV. Third
and D streets NV, Georgia and
Eastern avenues NV, Eighteenth
and P streets NV. Thirty-fourth
street and Benning road NE, Mount
Ofvet street and Bladensburg road
NE, Ninth and p streets NV, and
Twelfth and c streets S.W.
In explaining the delay in some
Of the work, Mr.. Keneipp pointed
out that all electrical work in con-
nection with traffic signals was done
under contract by the Potomac Elec-
trio Power Co., which has been un-
able to get critical materials, par
ticularly cable.
The traffic survey, under the di-
rection Of Wallace Braun. deputy
director of vehicles and traffic, Is
not in full swing because of a lack
Of personnel.
I'VE don't want the public to think
we are doing nothing" he stated.
Revising and correcting the traffic
system requires a great deal of
study from many angles"
More Help Approved.
He pointed out that the survey
work now is limited TO four trafhc
engineers and six traffic enumer-
ators, but that additional engineer
ing help has been approved and that
when existing vacancies on his staff
are filled, the work can move for
ward more rapidly.
Mr.. Keneipp said he was answer
ing challenge Of a newspaper edi-
torial which stated there are toe
many traf1ic lights here which slow
up traflc, and asked why something
wasn't done about it.
Mr.. Keneipp agreed that "un-
necessary lights anywhere are a
waste of the taxpayers money. de-
lay traffic and cause congestion,
but also pointed out he had received
just as many complaints that there
are not enough traffic signals anc
safety signs.
Solution to this problem, Mr.
Keneipp feels. lies in the survey ol
the 938 city intersections, based or
volume and type of motor and pedes.
trial traffic.
There are more than $1,000 traf.
fic signs in the city, he added
and each of them must be checked
for legality, legibility and right
placement.
Relative to the subject Of light
synchronization which Mr.. Keneipr
said has frequently been criticized
he contended synchronization only
works in city, such as New York
planned on the block system.
The traffic director said he fel
Washington has adopted the idea
system, "a flexible progressive sys'
tem," based on automatic traffic sig
mails, timed to favor traffic conditions
at certain hours of the day, such al
the early morning and late Afternoon
rush hours.
Mr.. Keneipp was introduced by
Mrs. Louise r. Stambough, Zonts
program chairman. Miss Francis
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