> from Main DOT laments on the few states left that have not "seen > the light and gone back to the Imperial System of measurement".
I love the word "laments", because it's an important psychological barrier. It indicates a perception that even though metric has been set back, it can't be stomped out completely. So long as a few key states, plus federal building construction, plus federal-lands highway construction continue in metric, the idea continues to take seed. Now fast-forward a few years, when these segments have become used to metric and the "barrier to entry" in metric construction has been removed. > units. I think he forgets that one of Maine's largest neighbor is > to the north and is metric (IE. Canada). Actually it's to the EAST, in Atlantic Canada. As a frequent vacationer in New Brunswick, PEI, and Nova Scotia I've been amazed at how quickly Atlantic Canada is building up its highway system and other infrastructure in recent years. I think the idea is to integrate with northern New England in one big economic zone, with the I-95 corridor running continuously from Boston, Portland, St. Johns, Moncton, PEI, and Halifax. A new highway section from Bangor to St. Stephens along with new customs facilties is now being planned. This is probably an influence on Maine DOT. Nat PS: Some favorite pics at: http://www.win.net/dorsea/nehager/newengland_atlanticcanada/newengland_atlan ticcanada.html > There are several private roads and highway trade magazines, most > of which are free to readers. These are mostly advertiser and > contractor supported. I have never seen them use metric units, > even when it looked like most States were going SI. There is > obviously even less incentive to use SI now. Although one did an > extensive series about the conversion process, most of these are > pro English, until now. > > Better Roads magazine recently published a letter to the editor > titled "Metric: Yea or Nay". A Right-of-way mapping supervisor > from Main DOT laments on the few states left that have not "seen > the light and gone back to the Imperial System of measurement". > He does not give any strong argument for designing in English > other that the fact that adjacent states should use similar > units. I think he forgets that one of Maine's largest neighbor is > to the north and is metric (IE. Canada). > > Surprisingly though the Editor replied. I was ready for another > English love fest, especially when he starts out "I totally agree > that only one measurement system should be used by the states" he > then shocked me by continuing "but I believe that system should > be metric". > > I responded to the editor, supporting his viewpoint but > challenging the magazine to be more forthright in its support > for the metric system. I encouraged him to use metic units in > their articles. I will keep the list posted if he responds. Its > just too bad his vocal support was not louder when States started > to revert. > > Howard Ressel > Metric Manger, NYSDOT Region 4 > > >
