Begin forwarded message:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: September 7, 2004 13:28:30 EDT
To: Jason Darfus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Metric signage
Mr. Darfus -
We had a mandate from congress in 1988 to develop a plan to convert our operations to metric, which would include revising the units on highway signs. �We developed plans on how to best achieve the conversion of the highway signs. �It was decided that this should be accomplished by replacing the english unit signs with metric signs, without going to a dual unit system.
In the mid-90s, congress removed the mandate to go metric. �On September 29, 1998, ODOT issued an official policy statement to abandon further metrication efforts and revert to the use of english units.
The United States made the metric system of measurements legal in 1866. �In 1893, the metric system was adopted as the standard in the United States, and the english units were officially defined in terms of the metric system. �There have been several efforts to complete the conversion to metrics, but none have been completely successful in eliminating the english units.
As far as highway signage, we have metric designs ready, and could begin producing and installing them without too much trouble. �However, there would need to be an administrative decision made before we could begin putting up metric signs.
Personally, I agree with you that there would be distinct benefits to our country by completing the metric conversion. �It does not appear at this time that there is much interest in doing this, though.
Thank you for your comments and your interest in highway signage.
Jim Roth, P. E.
Signing Engineer
(614) 752-0438
<x-tad-smaller>Jason Darfus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]></x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>09/03/2004 02:52 PM</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>� � � � </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>� � � � To: � � � [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>� � � � cc: � � � �</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>� � � � Subject: � � � �Metric signage</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller>Mr. James M. Roth,</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> � � � � � � � � Several months ago I wrote a letter to Gordon Proctor voicing my </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> support of the International System of Units (a.k.a. metric system) and</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> I asked him about the possibility of continuing its use at ODOT, </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> including the posting of metric highway signs. �The only dual-unit sign </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> I have ever seen in Ohio is that which is posted on I-71 between </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> Columbus and Cleveland. �Mr. Proctor informed me that while it would </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> quite literally take an act of Congress to allow for metric speed limit</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> signs, he said there is some discretion that can be afforded to</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> distance signs (as evidenced by that on I-71).</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> � � � � � � � � Mr. Proctor referred me to you, as the signing engineer, with any </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> further questions. �My question to you, sir, is what are your </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> inclinations toward reintroducing metric signage throughout Ohio? �</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> Personally, I don't advocate dual-units because, first of all, most </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> cars don't have odometers that measure in kilometers. �This would</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> primarily be for the benefit of Canadians who have crossed the border </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> in their own cars and for those of us with digital odometers who have </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> set them to kilometers. �Secondly, given both units on a sign, most </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> people will simply ignore the metric units. �My proposal is to replace </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> all the small distance signs that indicate the approach to an </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> intersection. �Example: on my way to work over by the Columbus airport, </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> I exit from I-670 to Steltzer road. �Before I reach that intersection,</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> there is a sign indicating 1500 feet to the intersection. �What would</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> be your position in changing these types of signs to say, in this </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> instance, "450 meters" or "450 m"? �No dual units would be given. �This </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> could be accomplished (more quickly and economically than replacement)</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> by using adhesive overlays as the Canadians did in their sign </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> metrication campaign.</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> I look forward to hearing your comments and maybe we can start an </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> ongoing dialog on this matter. �Hopefully this is something that Ohio </x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> can do to help the flagging progress toward metrication - an affair</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> that has put the entire world ahead of the United States.</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> Jason D. Darfus</x-tad-smaller>
<x-tad-smaller> Columbus, OH</x-tad-smaller>
