THE CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18322, 12 February 1923, Page 7

THE CONTROL OF TRAFFIC.

I OVATION IN PARIS.

The traffic problem in Paris is becoming more and more difficult of' solution, more especially as regards the principal boulevards, which provide some of the main arteries through the city, and which are in consequence invariably crowded. For " some time experiments have been made with . various systems of signals, and now an apparatus has been, erected at the corner of the Boulevard Sebastopol and the Grands Boulevards,' a point where the stream of traffic proceeding . north arid south crosses that travelling east and west. ' ' This apparatus combines both luminous signals and a bell, which may eventually be replaced by a siren 01; a whistle. The bell warns traffic that it is about to be stopped; the t policeman <in charge of. the apparatus then alters the signal from white to red; the red disc with the word " Stop " is easily visible from a distance by drivers of approaching .vehicles.' ' When the traffic is to be released the bell again sounds and the signal is altered to white. - <. ; ' > " i_At important cross toads, - if four such installations are erected; only four, policemen will be: necessary to regulate the traffic instead of the'' 13 now on duty. in the Place de l'Opera, for instance. v , The experiments with the 'apparatus in the Boulevard ' Sebastopol, f which' were conducted by the Prefect of Police in person, were entirely satisfactory, "although; the apparatus used was only a temporary; one. Permanent • eignals ; are ■ now t* being' manufactured. _ ~ n