A clear look at how adopting the metric system could impact federal agencies and everyday operations.
This interim study pulls together how 55 civilian federal agencies view metric usage, its advantages, and the costs of moving toward SI measurement. It describes current use, expected trends, and the challenges of a nationwide metric transition as proposed by Congress in 1968.
Readers will see where metric units are already common, what benefits agencies report, and where familiarity or dual systems pose difficulties. The report also outlines potential annual costs and the anticipated savings once a coordinated metrication effort is complete. It highlights how different agencies consider transition timelines and what factors influence their views on a national plan.
- Current levels of metric usage across agencies and the reasons for adopting SI units
- Projected costs, savings, and transition timelines for a national metric program
- Agency attitudes toward a coordinated metrication effort and practical implications
- Examples of areas where metric units affect operations, engineering, and international cooperation
Ideal for readers of policy reports, researchers, and anyone curious about how a shift to metric could reshape federal operations and national standards.