Traffic engineering handbook

1950·30.3 MB·English

by  Institute of Traffic Engineers

From the collection ofthe
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ENGINEERING HANDBOOK
Second Edition
1950
Editor
HENRY EVANS
K.
PREPARED UNDER DIRECTION OF THE
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING HANDBOOK EDITORIAL BOARD
PUBLISHED BY
INSTITUTE OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERS
NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
The first edition of the TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
HANDBOOK was published jointly in 1941 by the
Institute of Traffic Engineers and the National
Conservation Bureau, the latter now known as the
Accident Prevention Department of the Association
of Casualty and Surety Companies. This revision
of the Handbook is again the result of the joint
efforts of the two organizations.
Feeling that it should cooperate fully in the
preparation of this revised edition as an integral
part of its traffic control improvement program, the
Association of Casualty and Surety Companies
has again been happy to underwrite, and handle,
the mechanics of production of this volume as
evidence of its support of the Institute of Traffic
Engineers and of sound traffic engineering
principles as a means of bettering traffic conditions.
Copyright 1950. Institute of Traffic Engineers and
Association of Casualty and Surety Companies
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
byPeterF. Mallon,Inc.,NewYork,N.Y.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
....
CHAPTER I VEHICLE, HIGHWAY ANDTRAVEL FACTS 1
II VEHICLE MOTION 52
III THE DRIVER 80
IV THE PEDESTRIAN 98
V TRAFFICACCIDENTS 113
VI TRAFFIC STUDIES 137
.....
VII TRAFFIC MARKINGS AND MARKERS 171
VIII TRAFFIC SIGNS 198
.
IX TRAFFIC SIGNALS 216
X PARKING AND LOADING 290
....
XI ONE-WAY STREETS AND ARTERIAL ROUTES 318
XII ROADWAY CAPACITY AND DESIGN 331
XIII SPEED REGULATION AND ZONING 378
XIV TRAFFIC ISLANDS AND PEDESTRIAN BARRIERS 395
. . .
XV PEDESTRIAN ISLANDS AND Bus LOADING ZONES 415
. . .
XVI STREET AND HIGHWAY LIGHTING 436
APPENDIX A TRAFFIC ENGINEERING TERMINOLOGY 463
B SAMPLE SPECIFICATION FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL
CABLE 495
INDEX
498
ill

INTRODUCTION
This second edition of the Traffic Engineering Handbook is a modern presentation
of the fundamentals of an important and rapidly expanding science. Reflected in its
pages is the accumulated wealth of knowledge and experience of many distinguished
A
practicing and consulting traffic engineers. completely rewritten volume, the 1950
Traffic Engineering Handbook incorporates the findings of a multitude of significant
researches and new developments that have occurred since the original edition, edited
by Harold F. Hammond and Leslie J. Sorenson, was published in 1941.
It is not the purpose ofthis Handbookto serve as a textbook on traffic engineering.
Its purpose is to collate in one volume basic traffic engineering data as a guide to best
practice in those portions ofthe field in which well-accepted principles have been estab-
lished. The Handbook will serve as a day-to-day reference work which will prove
essential in the libraries of all who have responsibility for originating or passing upon
the technical study and solution of traffic andtransportation problems.
Sixteen nationally known traffic engineers participated in the actual writing of
this revision. Their names and their individual contributions are acknowledged on the
following page. Special recognition is accorded Henry K. Evans, who, as Secretary of
the Editorial Board devoted much of his personal time and effort in correlating the
project, editing the various chapters and preparingmuch of the final text. Appreciation
is expressed to Robert J. Allen, Chief Traffic Engineer, Accident Prevention Depart-
ment, Association of Casualty and Surety Companies, who correlated the vast adminis-
trative details of production necessary in the preparation of a publication of this scope.
Others who assisted in preparation of certain portions of the text were: Howard
Ilgner, William Kavanaugh, Kirk Reid, Charles Rex, T. J. Seburn and Gordon
Gravelle.
The following well-known traffic engineers and specialists reviewed the first draft
of the text and submitted suggestions, many of which were incorporated into the
final text.
Earl Allgaier Joseph E. Havenner Ralph A. Moyer
J. Stannard Baker Edward H. Holmes Amos Neyhart
Donald S. Berry J. Edward Johnston O. K. Normann
Douglas A. Bowers Guy Kelcey Matthew Porosky
William C. Brandes Holden M. LeRoy Earl J. Reeder
Thomas J. Carmichael Charles S. LeCraw Thomas J. Seburn
Edgar F. Copell Donald W. Loutzenheiser Charles H. Rex
Warren E. DeYoung Alger F. Malo W. E. Schwanhausser
John T. Gibala Kenneth W. Mackall Wilbur S. Smith
Paul L. Green Burton W. Marsh Herbert J. Stack
Bruce D. Greenshields William R. McConochie Thomas E. Willier
Oscar M. Gunderson Ralph F. Michel
On behalf of the Institute of Traffic Engineers, the Editorial Board wishes to
express its deepest appreciation to the Association of Casualty and Surety Companies
and to all who have participated in the assembling, writing, and review of the material
for this Handbook.
ROBERT A. MITCHELL, Chairman
The Editorial Board