MessageJust curious, what are the remaining states that use metric in road construction? I understand that California and New York still use metric, and that Pennsylvania is dual, who are the others?
----- Original Message ----- From: Nat Hager III To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: Wednesday, 13 August, 2003 19:52 Subject: [USMA:26597] Oregon DOT 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/engl ishindex.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
