Transport for London (TfL) uses metres and kilometres to express distances in its press releases with few exceptions and often uses metres elsewhere in public places. However, speeds are expressed in miles per hour, no doubt due to Department for Transport (DfT) regulations and usage. Tariffs for taxi fares are expressed in metres for short journeys and in miles for longer journeys and reflect current regulations. I praise TfL for using metric units wherever they can. It is a pity that DfT regulations and usage are holding back TfL from going fully metric.
Continue reading “DfT holds back TfL from all-metric usage”Tag: muddle
DfE fails to see link between poor numeracy and measurement muddle
The late Alan Young, a metric campaigner and a highly experienced maths teacher, mentioned the problems of the measurement muddle that British pupils face on a daily basis. On 1 September 2022, I wrote to my local MP to raise these issues with Department for Education (DfE). In their reply, they failed to see the connection between poor numeracy and the measurement muddle and suggested that the key stage 2 national curriculum addresses this problem.
Continue reading “DfE fails to see link between poor numeracy and measurement muddle”Inconsistent motorway emergency features
Smart motorways illustrate the some of the consequences of the UK’s two-system measurement muddle. Ronnie Cohen explains.
Continue reading “Inconsistent motorway emergency features”Two-system muddle – now sorted?
If you are frustrated when navigating your way through Britain’s muddle of two measurement systems, then help is at hand. But first we outline how the country got itself into this mess.
Continue reading “Two-system muddle – now sorted?”Official BBC Measurement Policy
As we become used to metric measures for social distancing, Ronnie Cohen, one our frequent contributors, looks at the measurement policy of our national broadcaster. Apparently, it is the over 50’s who are responsible for the muddle.
Continue reading “Official BBC Measurement Policy”Two-metre social distancing is well understood
We are now several weeks into the lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus (also known as COVID-19). Ronnie Cohen, one of our frequent contributors, looks at a particular aspect of government advice – social distancing.
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No surprises in YouGov survey
In 2013, the UK Metric Association (UKMA) commissioned YouGov to conduct a survey into the UK’s measurement muddle. The results were reported on Metric Views at that time. We now look at a follow-up survey carried out two years later.
1819 – a massacre and a missed opportunity
This article looks at the first report of the Commissioners appointed early in the nineteenth century to consider weights and measures. It gives examples of the reasons why the Commission was appointed, comments on some of its recommendations, and then speculates on an alternative outcome had the Commission taken a different view.
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Metric Views 