Motor Fuel Reporting Federal Highway Administration Ralph Erickson

Introduction Briefly review: – Why motor fuel data is important –How FHWA’s attribution process works Describe what steps FHWA is taking to: –Improve data quality –Ease the data reporting burden

Use of Motor Fuel Data – I State’s contribution to the Highway Trust Fund –Not available from IRS data –Use State revenue data State’s share of several Federal Highway programs –NHS –STP –IM –Minimum guarantee

Use of Motor Fuel Data - II How Attribution works –Measure on-highway gallons of motor fuel Gasoline Gasohol Special fuels –Sum to derive the national total (by type) –Derive each State’s share of the national total –Use those shares to determine revenue shares

Reassessment of MF Reporting Increased emphasis on accuracy –FHWA re-assessment of existing procedures –GAO review of existing procedures Status of reassessment efforts

Re-assessment Overview Proceeding on several fronts –Outreach –FHWA oversight of State data –State review/verification of motor fuel data –Implement smart-form reporting –Design database for input, storage, and retrieval Objective: Improve motor fuel data quality

Re-assessment Outreach Creating a more open process Overview brochure Process documentation Federal Register request for comments Summary report –Attribution and Apportionment of Federal Highway Tax Revenues –Available in December, 2001

Oversight of State Data General Accounting Office and Inspector General reviews emphasize data quality through oversight Preferred options: –Stronger, more in-depth reviews –FHWA Division Office responsibility –Develop techniques and training for Division –EXSTARS for additional verification

FHWA Oversight Committee-I Composition: –Nine Field Office representatives Financial Managers (3) Planners (4) Management (2) –Four Headquarters representatives Motor Fuels Team (2) Management (2)

FHWA Oversight Committee-II Met in Washington, DC, May 3-4 Discussed motor fuel issues and responsibilities for oversight Conclusions: –Division Office work plan in-depth review by September 30, 2002 Future review on as-needed basis –HQ questions to Division Office to resolve

FHWA Oversight Committee-III National oversight workshops –December 13-14, 2001 in Chicago, Illinois –January 24-25, 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia Purpose: –Prepare for oversight reviews –Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) techniques Agenda: –Pilot reviews and lessons learned –Discussion of oversight review design

State Verification of Annual Motor Fuel Data Memo to Division Offices –Have State review the data in partnership with the Division Office –Check for accuracy in annual data –February to May time frame

Smart-Form Design Goals: –States directly input data –Improved accuracy Pilot with test States Evaluate and modify Target January, 2002 for first use

Database Design Evaluate storage, calculation and retrieval considerations Develop criteria for implementation At this point, work is just beginning

Summary - Improve Data Quality –Outreach –FHWA oversight of State data – State review/verification of motor fuel data –Design smart-form reporting –Design database for input, storage, and retrieval –The bottom line: Improve the data quality process from top to bottom