Highway Traffic Conference Proceedings

NHTSA · 1944 · ROSA P / Eno Foundation for Highway Traffic Control

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Summary

This document comprises the proceedings of the 1944 Highway Traffic Conference, sponsored by the Eno Foundation for Highway Traffic Control. The conference addressed the critical need for coordinated traffic management during World War II and in preparation for the anticipated post-war surge in vehicle usage. Motivated by the inadequacy of existing highway infrastructure and the high rate of traffic fatalities, the event brought together traffic engineers, highway builders, police officials, and educators to define their respective responsibilities and establish a unified approach to traffic safety and efficiency. The proceedings feature presentations from key figures in the field, including Harold F. Hammond of the Institute of Traffic Engineers, L. A. Hince of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and various highway administrators. The methodology involves a synthesis of professional perspectives on traffic trends, accident data, and operational needs. Hammond outlined the evolving role of the traffic engineer, shifting from reactive spot improvements to proactive, long-term transportation planning. He emphasized the necessity of integrating traffic engineering with highway design, road construction, and police enforcement. Hince focused on law enforcement, arguing that traffic control requires professional training for all line officers rather than relying solely on specialized units, highlighting the FBI’s efforts to standardize police education. Key findings indicate that highways were deteriorating due to wartime neglect, posing a severe safety risk for the post-war period. The text notes that in 1941, approximately 40,000 people died on roads, a figure comparable to American military casualties in the first twenty-seven months of the war. The conference concluded that without immediate cooperative planning and infrastructure rehabilitation, accident rates would exceed historical highs. Specific recommendations included the establishment of traffic engineering departments in all cities with populations over 50,000, the implementation of one-way streets and limited-access highways, and the segregation of through and local traffic. Furthermore, the proceedings stressed the importance of uniform traffic codes, originally drafted by William Phelps Eno, which had been adopted internationally, including by Allied forces in North Africa. The significance of this document lies in its early articulation of traffic engineering as a distinct profession requiring interdisciplinary cooperation. It established a framework for post-war traffic planning that prioritized safety education, standardized enforcement, and geometric design improvements. The conference served as a milestone in recognizing that traffic control is not merely a police function but a complex engineering and educational challenge requiring coordinated efforts across government and private sectors to ensure the safe movement of persons and goods.

Key finding

The conference proceedings outline a strategic framework for post-war traffic management rather than presenting empirical research results.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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

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• regulatory evaluation

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• Applied Guidance: countermeasure evaluation