Fuel use is of interest not only in terms of gallons consumed, but also in terms of revenues generated by taxes on fuels. Taxes on motor-fuel at both the Federal and State level are a primary source of highway funds. In 1997, Federal and State highway user taxes funded more than 60 percent of the national highway program. Fuel consumption is also used as a key analytical input for important transportation and economic indicators such as travel, fleet fuel efficiency, etc. Because the FHWA data is collected monthly, it importance can be magnified in times of crises.
Fuel crises can arise quickly and without warning.
In these situations, FHWA monitoring of fuel on a monthly basis provides one of the most timely sources of data on motor fuel use changes. Both DOE and FHWA depend on this source of data in times of fuel emergencies. These include several notices to the FHWA field advising of possible changes, issuance of new guidelines for FHWA field review of State motor-fuel reporting, and sponsorship of three major training sessions which reached more than 100 State data providers and FHWA field staff in 30 locations. Goals - Based on feedback from the States and FHWA's own analyses, a number of reporting issues have been identified. Data Issues - FHWA, and the States, have identified a number of issues and areas where additional and improved discussion, instructions, and advise to the States may result in improved reporting.