Public Roads: A Journal of Highway Research, Vol. 5, No. 6

James, E. W.; Rose, A. C.; Trumbower, Henry R.; Browne, E. L. · 1924 · ROSA P / United States. Government Printing Office

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Summary

This 1924 article by E. W. James, Chief of the Division of Design at the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads, addresses the escalating crisis of highway safety driven by a surge in motor vehicle registrations to over 15 million. The paper argues that the rapid expansion of long-distance travel and improved road mileage has outpaced safety measures, resulting in increased fatalities and property damage. James identifies four fundamental considerations for highway safety: the independent safety of the individual driver, the common safety of passing drivers, pedestrian safety, and the economic preservation of the road surface. The paper outlines a comprehensive framework for addressing these issues, emphasizing that solutions must be harmonized across states. James advocates for the systematic investigation of accident causes, citing data from Oregon, Washington, Maryland, and Connecticut to identify primary hazards such as darkness, excessive speed, and driver incompetence. The review details specific engineering and administrative interventions. In road design, the paper recommends an 18-foot minimum width for two-way traffic, the superelevation and widening of curves, the installation of guardrails on embankments, and the elimination of dangerous grade crossings. It highlights the use of "accident maps," such as those employed by Maryland, to pinpoint hazardous locations for targeted reconstruction or signage. Regarding traffic control devices, the article promotes the adoption of uniform, standardized danger signs, praising Idaho’s bold, diagrammatic signs as a model for national standardization. It also endorses the use of white center lines and surface markings to guide drivers through curves and intersections, noting their superior visibility and educational value. The paper further examines vehicle safety, criticizing glaring headlights and defective brakes as major causes of accidents. It suggests that regulations should restrict vehicle width and weight to protect road integrity and passing traffic, and notes the emerging importance of four-wheel brakes and balloon tires. James concludes that engineering improvements alone are insufficient without competent drivers and strict enforcement. He calls for rigorous driver licensing examinations to eliminate incompetent operators and the potential use of compulsory insurance to protect accident victims. The paper emphasizes the need for uniform traffic regulations and signals across state lines to accommodate increasing interstate travel. Ultimately, the article asserts that highway safety is a shared responsibility requiring a combination of safe road design, effective warning systems, vehicle regulation, and the education of the public to adhere to rules of the road and exercise personal care.

Key finding

Standardized road design improvements, uniform warning signs, and consistent traffic regulations across states are identified as the most effective measures for reducing highway accidents and enhancing safety.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

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• signage environment