> Similar to how modern railroad track widths can be traced back to the wheel widths of roman chariots

This is repeated often and simply isn't true.

I based that on seeing the BBC Science TV series (and books) Connections by science historian James Burke. If it's been updated since, then I stand corrected. Regardless of the specific example, my point was that sometimes modern standards are linked to long-outdated historical precedents for no currently relevant reason.