CANADA, GREAT BRITAIN METRICATION EFFORTS PROVIDE ROAD MAP FOR U.S.

The United States is seeking advice from Europe and Canada regarding metrication and the conversion process. Although Europe has used the metric system for two decades the system is not uniform from country to country; in fact, Great Britain instituted a "soft" conversion, allowing English equivalents to be converted rather than establishing new metric measures. This article focuses on the Canadian metrication conversion process, which began in 1970, with final changes occurring in 1979. The Canadian government phased in a hard metric conversion, preparing the transportation industry and the motoring public at each juncture. Canadian officials support the "cold turkey" approach, stressing the importance of uniformity across the nation. Sidebars describe bridge construction using the metric system and sources of information on metric products and material suppliers.