This forwards a message I received today from Jeff Gross. In it, he asked me to pass this along to the USMA mail list. I have just checked the Caltrans site http://www.dot.ca.gov/ and found nothing posted yet about the topic. Carlton cited an LA Times article in [USMA:17457], which Jeff had also read, as he says below.
Jim -------- Original Message -------- Subject: California road exit numbering scheme Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 23:53:58 -0000 From: "Jeff Gross" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "James R. Frysinger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> References: <683334356.1011308210389.JavaMail.vpmail@gimli> <725665264.1011315950140.JavaMail.vpmail@gimli> Hi Jim, I'm a member of the UKMA, and am also a Californian although I live in London now. I read with interest a story on the Los Angeles Times website that Caltrans is planning on adding exit numbers to freeway offramps. California is one of the few states that currently don't use this system. Since Caltrans is one of the state departments of transportation that continues to use metric, I sent an e-mail to the head of the agency (Jeff Morales) suggesting that rather than using miles to calculate the exit numbers, they use kilometres. I do know they are planning on using a mile based scheme rather than consecutive numbers. I don't know anyone associated with the USMA except yourself, but I thought this might be an interesting opportunity for them. Below is a copy of the e-mail I sent. I just got it out tonight. Perhaps you can pass it on to the appropriate people at the USMA. Thanks, Jeff Gross ---------- to: Jeff Morales <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I read with interest in the LA Times of 1/16/02 that California highways are going to adopt the exit numbering system similar to that used in other states. Since Caltrans has wisely decided to continue to use the metric system in construction (despite the ISTEA derogation), why not use kilometers rather than miles to calculate the exit numbers? I can see several advantages to this: 1. Less need for letter designators to follow the numbers (as 1 km is shorter than 1 mile) - exits relatively close to each other are more likely to have a unique number. 2. Since state records need to be updated as a result of the change, the change won't have to be done again when there is a comprehensive conversion to the metric system. Same with the signs! 3. Californians for the most part aren't familiar with exit numbering schemes - an "exit 400" (km) would mean as much as an "exit 250" (mi). Although there is no doubt a vocal minority of people opposed to the metric system (for no good reason really, especially as it is used as the primary m easuring system by every country except the US), I would wager that the bulk of Californians wouldn't mind. The answer to the trivia question "how are the exit numbers determined" would have an interesting answer, which would be (for now) unique to California. Please consider this, as I bet it would also help today's Caltrans workers who already work using metric. By the way, I miss the dual mi/km distance road signs on California highways. I'd like to see them brought back. Jeff Gross Cardiff by the Sea
