The necessary conditions to make the results expressed in this article do not support the authors generalized conclusions.
His concept might work in small towns where most of the people know each other or the actual traffic flow was low.
I would suggest that once you get to levels where the individual is merely the motorized unit in a busy traffic flow, a whole new set of factors (particularly group psychological)ones tends to take over. Thus rendering the idea as, inappropriate and dangerous.

Imagine it in Sydney or Melbourne CBD!

If we went back to the always Give Way to Your Right at all intersections or T-junctions in peak hour - you would never get to work on time.

I imagine in smaller urban areas it might work given that people would take more care in being aware there were no traffic signs.

@pelican: Imagine it in Sydney or Melbourne CBD!

You don't have to imagine.

The Arc de Triomphe is Paris is a "8 lane" roundabout. I put 8 lane in quotes because there are no lane markings, but I did count 8 cars across. There are no traffic signs, no lights, no traffic coordination of any kind I could see. The traffic in Paris is certainly no better than in Sydney.

The first time I saw it in action I was sitting beside an American, who I hadn't noticed until he said under his breath "this is absolute chaos". I thought it was an apt description.

Chaos or not, it worked. I did see cars travelling at 90 degrees to the traffic flow and a lot of other insane things. But I didn't see an accident, and I didn't see the traffic stop for any length of time.

The picture on Google Maps is a light traffic day. The days I saw it there was not enough space to walk between the cars.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&geocode=&ll=48.873822,2.295054&spn=0.001538,0.00464&t=h&z=18

Before seeing the Arc de Triomphe I had heard Traffic Experts say what Jardine K. Jardine says here I was sceptical at the time too. But they are right - it works. In fact, from what I could see the French treat all road signs are purely advisory, yet it all still seems to work. Interestingly, the drivers in France seemed to be lot less aggressive, a lot more willing to give way to others, and in happy to go with the flow and let others do the same. In retrospect, I don't think they have much choice.

The only caveat is it only works in low speed suburban situations, where the drivers have time to react.

I have said for several decades that the ONLY solution short of not having vehicles is to install speed governors in vehicles. 80km/h ! Period !

Here is a video of the Arc de Triomphe that shows roughly what I saw, although again the traffic is lighter than when I saw it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BliGIPQ_KHc

rstuart
The French are less aggressive - really?

In my experience, the French don't follow the road rules so I guess taking down signs and traffic 'calming' measures would make no difference. :)