disappointing and then January 2006 nationwide metric transition!
ha ha Nat Hager III wrote: > The only positive thing I see in this is that 14 states are still > using metric or dual units, as of October 2002. > > Nat > > > http://www.odot.state.or.us/techserv/engineer/pdu/Metric%20to%20english/ > Exec.%20Deputy%20Director's%20memo%20to%20the%20dept.%20on%20conversion. > htm > > http://www.odot.state.or.us/techserv/engineer/pdu/Metric%20to%20english/ > englishindex.htm > > _____ > > > October 1, 2002 > > > > To: All Highway Division Employees > > > > From: John Rosenberger, Executive Deputy Director > > Highway Division > > Subject: English Unit of Measurement Conversion > > The Oregon Department of Transportation will begin to convert > back to the English Unit of Measurement beginning now. This decision > follows extensive discussions with the Association of General > Contractors (AGC) and the local American Public Works Association > (APWA) chapter. This conversion would make the state consistent with > Oregon cities and counties by using a single measurement system for > road construction projects. > > Let me give you some background about how we got to this point. > In 1991, Congress and the Federal Highway Administration mandated that > all federal-aid construction projects be in metric units by September > 30, 1996. ODOT began metric conversion in 1993 and started to contract > metric projects in 1996. Since then, Congress has removed the > requirement that contract plans be in metric units. After the removal > of the metric requirement, most states have reverted back to English, > with Oregon being one of eight states that still uses metric units. A > total of 35 states use English measurements and an additional seven > states use a dual system. In addition, most cities and counties in > Oregon continued to use English measurements. > > The original intent of the federal mandate was to have all state > Dot's using metric measurements and even though ODOT believes the > metric system to be the most efficient system of measurement, it is > more important to be in alignment with other state DOTs and our local > government partners. > > Below are some general timelines for ODOT's conversion to > English units. > > January 2003 Begin contracting local projects and state > consultant projects in English units > > March 2003 Begin gathering survey information in English units > > July 2003 Begin development of state projects in English units > > April 2004 Begin contracting state projects in English units > > October 2005 Most projects contracted in English units > > This schedule doesn't dictate that projects be immediately > converted from metric to English. Each project is unique and will be > evaluated individually to determine whether to convert to English > units or complete the project in metric units. Project schedules will > not be delayed for unit conversion. > > Local or consultant projects will need to be evaluated to > determine if the necessary English measurement contract support items, > such as standard drawings, are available (many support items will not > be completely converted until July 2003). Most likely the first state > English unit projects contracted will be simple preservation projects > followed by more detailed modernization projects. > > Beginning in October, Allison Hamilton, (503) 986-3558, will be > heading up ODOT's English conversion process. Allison will be forming > an English conversion committee and will need ODOT's full support in > making a smooth and timely transition from metric to English > measurements. > > Cc: Central Services Division > > Communications Division > > Driver and Motor Vehicles Services Division > > Motor Carrier Transportation Division > > Public Transit Division > > Rail Division > > Traffic Safety Division > > Transportation Development Division
