The biggest error in early auto policy, in my opinion, was the emphasis on straight-line speed over continuous flow. The first cars were not that fast and did

The biggest error in early auto policy, in my opinion, was the emphasis on straight-line speed over continuous flow. The first cars were not that fast and did not accelerate easily, so it makes some sense that there would be advocacy to get every last bit out of the engine through highway design. Add to that the requisite hype for a new, impactful technology and you get the approach that paved the earth. But we have gradually come to realize the point of traffic calming, roundabouts, transit-oriented design and other tools that make people stigmergically decide on appropriate trip plans and driving parameters.