In this interesting Wired article (which I discovered at Marginalrevolution.com), we learn of a new approach to road design: Anarchy is good! The fewer road signs, the safer people drive.
There are several lessons here for Austro-libertarians. First, this is precisely the kind of thing that would happen in a free market for roads; various techniques would be adopted, and the best ideas would win. It’s absurd when statists demand of you, “Oh, so you want to privatize the roads? And how exactly would you design them differently?” I don’t know; that’s the whole point—we need open entry to let anybody with a wacky idea have a shot (so long as he can raise the capital to fund his idea). Second, notice that the problem with traditional road design is that it treats humans the way sewage designers treat water flows—i.e. it ignores the reactions of human actors. Third (and obvious) notice that people don’t need to be force-fed rules from the government; they spontaneously follow conventions to minimize accidents. Fourth, fans of Hoppe’s views on centralization will like the future of road design. (For anyone who clicks on the article, be sure to at least read through to the top of the second page—you need to see what this guy’s ultimate test of a good road design is!)
