The motor car has reached its centennial, and there now exists around the World many examples of different approaches to the management of motorised traffic. Many cities have fallen into the trap of trying to build enough roads to cater for the full demands of private transport. Although understandable, it is now clear that this is simply not possible, and that trying to do so will ruin both the quality and the efficiency of a city.
This is the most important point related to traffic to learn for planners, engineers and decision makers in cities around the world. The only sustainable approach to cater for the access needs of urban dwellers is to balance urban form and transport. It is possible, as many historic examples demonstrate, to have urban areas that are efficient and which foster a community spirit. These areas also traditionally have low average journey distances and a high proportion of trips by sustainable modes such as on foot.