In my opinion it is lack of leadership on the issue. Also, lobbyists
from the construction industry and the Food Marketing Institute keep
blocking legislation that would move us forward.
The Federal Government was set to have all roads constructed in
metric, and many states completely converted. Lobbyists from the
construction industry found some sympathetic congressmen from Alabama
(or Georgia ?) to insert language into a bill that made metric road
construction voluntary rather than mandatory. States that had not
already converted, stopped the effort.
States like California that had completely transitioned to metric
road construction got screwed by contractors that would bid metric
construction jobs at a higher cost, so these states are now spending
quite a sum of money to revert back to US measurements.
Until the leadership in this country takes a "just do it" attitude,
progress will probably continue to incremental.
On 2008-03 -11, at 12:40 , ernie edwards wrote:
Can someone bring me up to speed on what is holding up converting
completely to metrics?
I was exposed to metrics, while living in Spain for 5 years in the
mid 80's. We were building Dept. of Defense buildings in a number
of Mediterranean countries.... metrics sure made sense to me....
I am trying to start a dialog in the American Institute of
Architects (AIA) on supporting full conversion and I have sent
emails to The Associated General Contractors (AGC) and The National
Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) asking their position on
metrics. So far, I haven't heard from either the AGC or NSPE.
Again, please help me understand where the hold up is?
Thanks, Ernie Edwards, AIA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
