Hey Knoxville, what's the metric stuff about?

[56FordGuy]

I was over in the Knoxville area today, and got up to Clinton. When I got back on 75 South back into Knoxville, I saw a sign that said "Knoxville 11 miles or 18 kms" That's the first interstate sign I've seen that listed kilometers.

Are they common over in that area? Anyone know why they listed kilometers? I just thought it was kind of unusual.

[Guest abailey362]

chattanooga has a few like that too.

[Guest clsutton21]

I was over in the Knoxville area today, and got up to Clinton. When I got back on 75 South back into Knoxville, I saw a sign that said "Knoxville 11 miles or 18 kms" That's the first interstate sign I've seen that listed kilometers.

Are they common over in that area? Anyone know why they listed kilometers? I just thought it was kind of unusual.

There's a sign in Manchester that lists speed in mph and kmph for a school zone. I think the metric system makes more sense anyways, I would like to see everything go to it.

[Motasyco]

In the 80s the US made an effort to convert to the metric system. Road sign were changed to show both miles and kilometers, bank temperature displays had both F and C, and radio and tv stations gave the temperature in both F and C. I doubt the road signs are 25 to 30 years old but it must be some kind of holdover from then. Maybe they had signs made and stored and rather than buying new repalcements they put out new old stock.

Anyway, signs with miles and kilometers were quite common at one time. The metric system never caught on in the US. Too simple for us I guess, or maybe the fact that most of the rest of the world uses it, we insist on being different. You probably still see bank electronic time and temperature signs with both F and C. I'm with clsutton21, it's a much simpler system and I'd be all for using it.

[Guest beefcakeb0]

its a fun way to spend stimulus money

[56FordGuy]

There's a sign in Manchester that lists speed in mph and kmph for a school zone. I think the metric system makes more sense anyways, I would like to see everything go to it.

While the metric system has it's merits, it never really caught on for most of America, so I thought it was odd to see a street sign marked with it.

In the 80s the US made an effort to convert to the metric system. Road sign were changed to show both miles and kilometers, bank temperature displays had both F and C, and radio and tv stations gave the temperature in both F and C. I doubt the road signs are 25 to 30 years old but it must be some kind of holdover from then. Maybe they had signs made and stored and rather than buying new repalcements they put out new old stock.

Anyway, signs with miles and kilometers were quite common at one time. The metric system never caught on in the US. Too simple for us I guess, or maybe the fact that most of the rest of the world uses it, we insist on being different. You probably still see bank electronic time and temperature signs with both F and C. I'm with clsutton21, it's a much simpler system and I'd be all for using it.

The sign didn't look too old, but I wasn't paying much attention either. Seems like Knoxville has a lot of people that don't know how to drive. I was more interested in watching out for them.

its a fun way to spend stimulus money

I've seen a lot of Recovery.gov signs lately, too! Oh, and "You are now entering the so-and-so watershed".

[Guest m&pc9]

We in east Tn. are more smarter than you guys in the middle Tn. We can tell our speed in metrics or Inglish.

[56FordGuy]

We in east Tn. are more smarter than you guys in the middle Tn. We can tell our speed in metrics or Inglish.

Then why don't all of you intellectually superior folks over there understand what turn signals mean? Or signs that say "Lane ending, merge now".

I could go on, but I think you get my point. Let me guess, y'all communicate telepathically about what you're about to do?

[Guest m&pc9]

Then why don't all of you intellectually superior folks over there understand what turn signals mean? Or signs that say "Lane ending, merge now".

I could go on, but I think you get my point. Let me guess, y'all communicate telepathically about what you're about to do?

Knoxville is bad but Sevierville and Pigeon Forge is worse. All the tourist coming in. I am a poster child for Road Rage.

[strickj]

Blinkers are only useful for those behind me...and I don't care about them!

[Motasyco]

Turn indicators are optional equipment in east TN. As is the intelligence the use them. Most drivers here are oblivious to the world around them.

[Guest beefcakeb0]

lol no matter where you go, theres idiots on the road... you should try driving up north...

[Wingshooter]

Then why don't all of you intellectually superior folks over there understand what turn signals mean? Or signs that say "Lane ending, merge now".

I could go on, but I think you get my point. Let me guess, y'all communicate telepathically about what you're about to do?

It's just great minds thinking alike.

[railfancwb]

Then why don't all of you intellectually superior folks over there understand what turn signals mean? Or signs that say "Lane ending, merge now".

Well...so far as I know, turn signals are not time specific...they just mean someone has or will turn sometime...

As for "Lane ending, merge now" the state highway department thinks Interstate 65 South leads to Huntsville AL, so we don't believe anything else they say either.

[Mike.357]

While the metric system has it's merits, it never really caught on for most of America,

it caught on pretty well in the wine and spirits business

The reason is because there was no choice. Offer people a choice and more often than not they will stick with the tried and true method they are used to.

If the gov't was serious about converting to metric back then it could have been done by not offering a choice to stay in the existing way of measuring. That is where they screwed up.

I also remember old Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati have metric measurements along with feet on the outfield fence.

Edited July 24, 2009 by Mike.357

[Guest Bluemax]

A couple of runs down Chapman Hwy International Speedway or the Alcoa 500 between 4 and 6 will break you from silly turn signals too

[Guest m&pc9]

+1000

[BrasilNuts]

A couple of runs down Chapman Hwy International Speedway or the Alcoa 500 between 4 and 6 will break you from silly turn signals too

Yep, if you take the time to use your turn signal you've missed you chance.

[Guest SUNTZU]

There's a sign in Manchester that lists speed in mph and kmph for a school zone. I think the metric system makes more sense anyways, I would like to see everything go to it.

Commie.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I also remember old Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati have metric measurements along with feet on the outfield fence.

That was just your vision blurring between the field and the liquor bottle label.

[Guest Muttling]

I was over in the Knoxville area today, and got up to Clinton. When I got back on 75 South back into Knoxville, I saw a sign that said "Knoxville 11 miles or 18 kms" That's the first interstate sign I've seen that listed kilometers.

Are they common over in that area? Anyone know why they listed kilometers? I just thought it was kind of unusual.

It goes back to the early 1980s. Knoxville was home to a World's Fair at the same time there was a big push to convert to the metric system.

A LOT of public signs and stuff were reposted listing metric as well as english units.

[HillbillyMafia]

Whay about the 140MPH rice rocket track on Pellissippi Pkwy.

'90-'91 track Champion, quick pickup class, Chapman Hwy International Speedway LOL

[Guest Bluemax]

Whay about the 140MPH rice rocket track on Pellissippi Pkwy.

'90-'91 track Champion, quick pickup class, Chapman Hwy International Speedway LOL

Oh the memories, anyone with a car in S Knox that could turn a tire was a member of the PRT... Thats Pixie Race Team to the uneducated...

Pixie Drive Inn

Home of the Swimp basket and a sherry coke

[Motasyco]

A couple of runs down Chapman Hwy International Speedway or the Alcoa 500 between 4 and 6 will break you from silly turn signals too

Those that hold HCPs are supposed to be law-abiding citizens. You wouldn't be implying that you think the law is silly and that you don't follow it would you?

[Guest Bluemax]

Not implying that at all, actually just having fun on this post. I'll tell you what....I will be coming down Alcoa Hwy later today and will post as accurately and objectivly about the driving conditions and whether or not I would be endangering myself or other commuters; by following the posted speed limit and obeying our traffic laws to the letter...This oughta get a good Friday night fuss started !!