Expert Opinion

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

The waves of opinions generated in Dunster House by the conditions existing at the intersection of Memorial Drive and De Wolf Street typifies public reaction arising from a bevy of accidents at a particular location. As such, the reaction is commendable but the remedies proposed for the existing situation have lacked a thorough consideration of the nature of the dangers involved.

Having been employed in an assistant engineering capacity by the Michigan State Highway Department for several summers, I have had frequent occasion to deal with conditions similar to those in question. I want to emphasize that a traffic signal is not the right answer though the most obvious. The function of Memorial Drive is to expedite the movement of traffic to and from downtown Boston. The interruption of traffic flow by signal lights not essential to vehicle safety would defeat the purpose of the thoroughfare.

A signal is not a cure-all, and in this case would not justify the expense of its installation, because it ignores the special characteristics of the De Wolf Street corner as well as failing to remedy the basic origin of danger. It is the breadth of the intersection that is the underlying cause of mishaps which occur there. There is no clearly defined point of entry for cars to move on to Memorial Drive, and it is possible for vehicles to continue from De Wolf Street onto the Drive without slackening speed but utilizing the full expanse of the corner. Moreover, this kitty-corner movement allows the stop sign to go largely unnoticed and permits vehicles to enter traffic on the Drive more than one at a time. The result is a high degree of confusion. It is this confusion, brought about by the unpatterned movement of cars, that is the major contributing factor to accidents at this location.

The cure lies in a concrete island which would serve to channel cars turning onto Memorial Drive into a single path. The 90 degree turn which would be required by the presence of an island would proven the casual flow of traffic now present. Drivers would be forced to slacken speed to negotiate the turn, and the placement of a stop sign in clear view on the island would provide an imperative not now in existence. The present sign often goes unnoticed as drivers concentrate on unhesitating entry into the flow of vehicles, and its relocation would be just as effective as if a blinker-light had been installed.

With the now clearly defined channels of movement, pedestrians and cars would enjoy far greater safety than offered by the conditions of the existing situation. Richard S. Baker '51