Some further information here, at the LOCAL level in San Diego this spring and last fall. We all know CalTrans is trying to accomodate local agencies by providing a dual unit book, but here's a local agency trying to accomodate with a metric book....
Nat --------------- #1 http://www.regional-stds.com/pdf/minutes/Minutes%2002March28.pdf Regional Standards Committee Minutes Meeting of March 28, 02 5. Tim briefed on the metric conversion issues. He found out that metric conversion could be achieved to conform to the Greenbook Format at a cost of $5,000 - $6,000. He will check on the availability of funds from the County Engineer. ----------------------------- #2 http://www.regional-stds.com/pdf/minutes/Minutes01Oct25.pdf Regional Standards Committee MINUTES Date: October 25, 2001 Location: County Operations Center Building 2 � DPW Director's Conference Room 5555 Overland Avenue San Diego, California <....snip...> Metric Conversion of Regional Standard drawings - Tim will discuss with the County Engineer to allocate funds (estimated $10,000 -15,000) to retain a consultant for metric conversion of Std. Dwgs. There are two ways of achieving this goal. Creation of dual dimensioned drawings or a separate metric book to supplement the existing book. It was pointed out that none of the agencies represented in the meeting were using metric units. A lot of agencies had problems with Caltrans� Standards in metric units. Caltrans intends to publish a revised book retaining English units. It is not known whether Caltrans is issuing one book with dual units or a separate book in English units. ---------------------------------------------------- #3 http://www.regional-stds.com/pdf/minutes/Minutes01Aug.pdf Regional Standards Committee MINUTES Date: August 30, 2001 Location: County Operations Center Building 2 � DPW Director's Conference Room 5555 Overland Avenue San Diego, California Tim Stanton raised the question of converting the Regional Standards Drawings in dual systems, metric and English. Caltrans is working on converting into English system. By next year Caltrans will have two separate books, in English and in metric. It was pointed out that a lot of agencies had problems with Caltrans� standards in metric system. That�s why Caltrans decided to have their standards in both systems similar to the Greenbook. The Committee asked the County to come up with an estimate of time to convert the Regional Standard Drawings into dual units by including metric system. (One drawback: A drawing with lot of dimensions will look cluttered and busy. Another option will be to have two separate books like the ones that Caltrans is proposing.) -----Original Message----- Good news. Almost makes someone think there's a "quiet understanding" between CalTrans, FHWA, the design engineers, and even the contractor's lobby to let progressive California continue, and use it as a model for the rest of the country in a few more years. Let's hope. Nat >>> Here are two questions I asked Caltrans' official metrication contact, and his responses. Q. Given the reversion, by a number of states, to non-metric units, what is the current state of SI in Caltrans? A. Caltrans is still committed to using SI units for projects on the State Highway System but does allow projects done by encroachment permit that are under $1 million to be done in dual units (metric and imperial). Q. Is there any pressure, either on the part of contractors or by federal authorities, to revert? A. There is no pressure from federal authorities to revert and I am not aware of any pressure on the part of contractors. Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA (currently visiting Vancouver, BC) http://metric1.org [SI Navigator]
