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Training Men to Solve the
Page 89
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Traffic Problem THE inadequacy of America's road systems to bear the overwhelming traffic in its cities is causing great concern to the authorities. This fact was noted by Lord Latham during his recent tour of the U.S.A., as reported in "The Commercial Motor" last
week. More was said about it this week by Mr. R 0. Swain, executive director of the American region of the International Road Federation, when he read a paper to members of the British Road Federation, in which he described the congestion problem and the measures being taken to combat it.
In this connection, 55 European engingeers were, during May, invited to the U.S.A. Mr. Swain said that he hoped that after seeing the feats of modern highway engineering accomplished there, they would still realize that the problem of traffic congestion in the cities remained 'unsolved, and that traffic was virtually brought toT a standstill in urban areas.
Highway engineers, said. Mr. Swain, were the offsPring-of railway engineers. Railway designers were concerned primarily with laying out the track, knowing that the train movement would be controlled by signals. The policy of the highway engineer in the early stage of U.S. road development was to provide the surfaced way.
The attitude of many U.S. highway engineers was: "We 'provide a smooth surface and a straight road. If the automobile drivers are foolish enough to kill each other it is their concern and no fault of the road designer."
This lack of technical consideration for movement on the road was largely responsible.for the deaths of more than 40,000 people in a single year.
Long and Short Term Answers
There were two solutions of the problems of accidents and congestion— preventive control by traffic signals and the more permanent method of constructing through-highways.
Amongst the causes of congestion were: (a) different types. of vehicle, ranging from bicycles to tractor-trailers, on the same street; (b) the superimposition of modern traffic on road systems designed for horsed vehicles; (e) lack of planning, which included improper location of residential districts in relation to industrial areas; and (d) the lack of public appreciation of the severity of the problem.
To -produce engineers proficient to handle the situation in American cities and states, said Mr. Swain, at least nine U.S. 'universities now offered trafficengineering undergraduate, training.
The demand for experts exceeded the supply, and the traffic engineer had been placed on a higher initial salary level than those in mostengineering professions. Salaries ranged. from $3,000 to $10,000 a year, depending upon the size of the area under supervision.