Martin Vlietstra suggests a possible threat to our prosperity resulting from our resistance to change.
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Author: Martin Vlietstra
Marathon facts
As an alternative to Budget gloom, one of our regular contributors, Martin Vlietstra, provides some topical information about the marathon.
Will science training for MPs help?
A report in the Times that new MPs are to get some scientific training poses the question: will this help them to understand why we need to scrap non-scientific imperial units and embrace the modern metric system? (Article based on a draft by Martin Vlietstra)
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Seventh UK scientist honoured by CGPM
The contribution of British engineers and scientists to the development of the international metric system is well known. What is less well known is that, in addition to the six SI units that are named after British scientists and engineers, there is a seventh unit approved for use with SI. (Article based on contributions by Martin Vlietstra).
The London Marathon
This weekend thousands of runners will test themselves to the full in the annual Flora London Marathon. At 42.195 km, it is a race of endurance. But why 42.195 km? That is tied up in the history of the 1908 London Olympic Games. But why does the United Kingdom press call it a 26 mile 385 yard race and does it matter? For the record, two measurements differ by 1 cm. (Article contributed by Martin Vlietstra)
How big is a hectare?
One of the least known metric units – and one which journalists and estate agents seem to struggle with – is the hectare (ha). So perhaps it will help to relate this very useful measure to the sizes of sports fields. Article (including diagrams) by Martin Vlietstra.
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Driver location signs – possibly coming to a motorway near you
Martin Vlietstra, a regular contributor to Metric Views, draws our attention to a trial of driver location signs, to be conducted by the Highways Agency. Martin notes that these signs are metric, and draws attention to the explanation for this.
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How to convert fuel consumption figures (if you must)
UKMA discourages conversion between metric and imperial units. Much better to understand and use metric only – and forget about imperial. Occasionally, however, it is necessary – e.g. when trying to understand historical data or American stories. The following technical advice is offered by Martin Vlietstra.
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Symbols understood by everyone, everywhere (unlike abbreviations)
Do British road signs have symbols on them or abbreviations? (Martin Vlietstra asks a rhetorical question).
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Know your speeds – the voice of experience
When one day the British roads are converted to metric units, drivers will need to get used to distances that are measured in kilometres and speeds that are measured in kilometres per hour (article contributed by Martin Vlietstra). Continue reading “Know your speeds – the voice of experience”
Metric Views 