Evening star., 1947-10-14
RadnControI
OF 0fTrafficLig|1ts
Bein!gSt|u|died
Keneipp Considers
Possible Use in New
Central System

Trafnc Director George E. Keneipp
Is looking to the possibility that
trafac lights In the, future may be
controlled by radio instead of under
ground cables.
Progress in the science of elec-
tronics has been SO rapid, he told
the Board Of Trade Trafic Commit
tee in the Burlington Hotel yester-
day, that proposed installation of
the first. unit Of . new centralized
trafnc control system for the city
may be postponed for about year.
An item Of SIS, 900 in the requested
estimates for the next fiscal year had
been included in the original budget
sent to the District Commissioners
for construction Of the first unit in
the new centralized control system,
Mr.. Keneipp said. But he has asked
the Commissioners to delete this
item.
Engineer to Be Retained.
Meanwhile, steps are being taken,
the speaker said, to retain an elec-
trical engineer to make an investi-
cation and prepare plans and cost
estimates for such q system. Con-
gress appropriated $4,000 for this
year to make the study. Mr.. Keneipp
said he had an appointment to con-
fer this morning with prominent
electrical engineer in regard to the
work.
Furthermore, the trafiic director
emphasized, the project is not far
enough advanced yet to go before
the House Appropriations Subcom-
mittee on the District with an esti-
mate Of the overall cost Compile
ton Of the centralized control sys-
tenn might take three years or
longer, he predicted. But it should
enable more flexible" control Of
trafic.
The trade boards TRAFFIC Commit
tee approved budget requests of
$780,, 900 for the Department of We
hicleS. and Trafiic next fiscal year,
now pending before the District
Commissioners. Action was taken
on q report by the Executive Com
mittee Of the boards traf1c group,
but one item was referred back to
a subcommittee on motor vehicle ad-
ministration for q later report. This
was $12,0A for re-examination Of
drivers every six years, for visual
acuity" and knowledge of .trafic
regulations.
Acknowledged as Controversial.
Acknowledged by both Mr.. Ke-
neipp and committee spokesmen rs
q controversial matter, the proposal
already has been openly opposed by
the Federation Of Businessmen.
Mr.. Keneipp stressed need of the
new proposal, saying four States al
ready have periodical re-examina-
ton Of permit holders to help pre-
vent accidents by drivers who no
longer are physically safe as op-
orators. .,E--
The director stressed the need of
more personnel as requested in the
new budget to reduce complaints,
which he said were Justified" be-
cause Of slow handling of applica-
lions Tor titles, registration, opera
tors permits and tags.
Estimate Cut to $894, ,S98.
There is an increasing number
Of we'll merited complaints" he de-
clared, that it takes too long to get
service In my department"
The total budget estimate for 1949
now stands at $780,, ,o9s, Mr.. Keneipp
explained, rs compared to the pre-
viously announced estimate of $685.
900. Most of this reduction is in
the $75,000 deleted because of the
postponed centralized control of
traffic lights. The remainder are
reductions because of technicalities.
The Trafiic Committees approval
Of the budget now goes to the trade
boards directors for action.
Col. Alvin B. Barker is chairman
Of the Trafhc Committee.