Evening star., 1952-01-01
New Traffic Plan
Permits Test Of
Snow Removal
Clearance Program,
Equipment Adequate,
D. c. Officials Say


snow emergency traffic plan, the
efficiency of its snow removal pro-
cedure remains to be tested under
present conditions.
In discussions resulting from
the traffic breakdown during q
storm December IA, District au-
thoritieS maintained that the
snow removal program is ade-
quate. They blamed the traffic
Snarl on the fact the storm broke
unexpectedly during the work day
and thousands of workers were
excused from their jobs at time
when transportation facilities were
inadequate.
Snow removal equipment could
not go into action because all
principal streets were clogged
Such work as was done came after
the congestion cleared up. BY
then, rain had begun to fall.
Present Program.
This is the District snow re-
moval program:
Whenever winter weather is
threatening, equipment is mobil-
lied and crews stand by, prepared
for action.
This work is supervised by Will
liam A. Xanten, superintendent
OF the sanitation division. Dis
trict-owned trucks and equipment
are supplemented by equipment
from the Capital Transit Co. and
the National Capital Parks agency
Mr.. Xanten's forces have at
their disposal about 70 trucks for
sanding and sailing, 160 plows and
enough men to handle them. This
is estimated to be sufficient to take
care of 140 miles of the principal
streets unless the snowfall should
exceed IL inches. In that case
the crews would concentrate on
120 miles of streets.
Mr.. Xanten estimated his
trucks can do a complete sanding
job in about four hours.
Limited Use of Salt.
Salt is used on some asphalt
streets, but not near trolley lines
that have a third (underground)
power rail. Short circuits and
damage to the transportation serv-
ice result when salt gets into the
power rail. Engineers say salt
also causes fresh" concrete to de-
teriorate. (Fresh concrete is that
put down within the last few
yearS.)
Mr.. Xanten said the public er-
roneously believes salt on the road
causes serious damage to automo-
biles. He said it is paradoxical
fact that a light film of salt, such
as that deposited by seaside
breezes, is more damaging than
heavy concentrations.
When snow begins to fall, the
District forces start their sanding
and sailing operations on principal
thoroughfares, provided the streets
are not blocked by traffic. Plows
are not brought into action unless
and until the snow falls to a
depth of inches. This is general
practice. Engineers say it is use
less to begin scraping as soon as
a storm begins.
The objective in the snow emer-
gency traffic plan is Cd to move
people on dry pavements before
snow begins to fall, if the snow
forecast is received in time, and
co to postpone their movement
over streets covered by ice OF snow
until the sanding-salting opera
tions are accomplished.
Day Storms More Troublesome.
The operations are always more
difficult If storms break during
daylight hours or the normal
working period. On January "a,
1948, eight inches of snow fell at
night. Mr.. Xanten said his crews
did a satisfactory job making the
streets passable for traffic the next
day.
Last year, the snow removal
crews were out 20 times. Most of
the storms broke at night. Mr..
Xanten said relatively little in
convenience resulted, although
any snow storm is bound to cause
some delays.
The December IA snow began
falling during the day. BY early
afternoon, Government agencies
closed to release their employees.
The streets we're clogged before
they were sanded and before extra
transportation could be provided.
Mr.. Xanten said the great in
crease in the number of privately
owned automobiles means citizens
will have to do more and more to
help relieve the situation. He de-
clared no government can spread
enough sand to take care of all a
city's needs under all conditions
The problem has become one for
the entire community, he said. SO
that if the job is to be done COM
pletely, citizens will have to help
sand some streets and sidewalks,
too
Shovel Crews Important.
The District uses street sweepers
to help clear the principal inter-
section crosswalkS.
Shovel crews are called out to
help open the main business
streets. Such crews were used
after the December IA storm to
remove slush in the downtown Sec
ton. Despite theories to the con-
trary. Mr.. Xanten said, shoveling
is the only answer under certain
conditions.
Mr.. Xanten said Washington is
better equipped for snow emer-
gencies than Baltimore and han-
died its situation in December
better than did Philadelphia.
In the District, the crews spread
$500 tons of sand on 140 miles OF
street, in addition to about four