Summary: The Metric Conversion Act requires every federal agency to use the metric system in its procurement, grants, and other business- related activities. However, Congress passed legislation in 1994 and 1995 that prohibited federal funding for converting highway signs, such as those for speed limits, to metric units. As a result, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has postponed requiring states to implement the conversion. While implementation is on hold, FHWA has an opportunity to revisit the safety and cost implications of highway sign conversion to metric units. Canada's experience and Alabama's estimate provide the basis for developing ballpark national estimates to convert highway signs on state and local roads of $334 million and $420 million, respectively. FHWA is seeking to develop a more comprehensive, data-driven estimate for various conversion options. However, concern exists that little data may be available to estimate the cost of converting signs on local roadways. Moreover, it is unclear who is responsible for metric education and who will pay for it.
