We too just returned from summer vacation, about a 5000 km trip. From Dallas, to Yellowstone, to south central Colorado, then back home. I don't think I saw a single metric sign, but it did make me think of the magnitude of the situation.
When Ireland did their "road sign" conversion, I assume that meant *all* road signs, both distance and speed. What about off-road, whether it be in the forest, beach, or on the water? In the US, I wonder just how many speed and distance signs would have to updated? Interstate and US higways; state, county, and city roads; National and State Park roads. In the Grand Tetons, we took a short hike around Jenny Lake; there are signs at trail intersections showing the mileage to various spots. And on horse trails on public lands (BLM or USFS), directional signs with mileage. Even in the US military, the road signs on base are USC. If Pat is correct, we're losing money by not switching. I think he's right, and see the conversion as a matter of "when", rather than "if". But there's no doubt that changing our road (and off-road?) signs will be a huge project. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Elwell Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 17:44 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:37143] metric road signs Just returned from a 4500 km road trip. Found a number of road signs with metric equivalents where I did not expect to see them: steamboat.jpg -- all the speed signs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, had metric equivalents. Nice conversions too (all to rounded 5 km/h). rapid.jpg -- some distance and speed signs in Rapid City, South Dakota. I thought I took a picture of a speed sign there, but apparently I deleted it. Not all signs had metric equivalents, but some did. buffalo.jpg -- Buffalo Gap national grassland, east of Rapid City. As above, not all signs had metric equivalents, but some did. BTW -- if you ever get to Bozeman, Montana, stop in and see the American Computer Museum. I was expecting some pretty rinky-dink stuff, given the location, but it is very impressive. Apparently some wealthy guy likes living up there, and so that's where he made his museum. Includes original books and leafs from books hundreds of years old, such as Newton's Principia, 13th Century bible, etc. Web site has some of the items on display, as well as why it is in Montana. www.compustory.com Jim Jim Elwell, CAMS Electrical Engineer Industrial manufacturing manager Salt Lake City, Utah, USA www.qsicorp.com
