APPLICATIONS OF FHWA STATISTICAL DATA
Officials at the Federal, State, and local levels of government use the data in FH WA's Highway Statistics in the transportation policy and planning decision-making process. In addition, these statistics are also offer used in the private sector, academic research, and by national organizations. A discussion of some of the important uses follows:Fuel Consumption Information
The fuel consumption information provided to FHWA is widely considered to be the most complete and accurate information on gasoline use available from any source. These statistics are used extensively by FHWA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and other Federal agencies to monitor the demand for petroleum products and the sector distribution of that demand. Because fuel crises can arise quickly and without warning, and because there is a natural time lag in data reporting, fuel consumption is monitored. Both DOE and FHWA depend on this source for data in times of fuel emergencies. Fuel use is of interest not only in terms of gallons consumed, but also in terms of revenues generated by taxes on fuel. Taxes on motor fuel at both the Federal and State levels are a primary source of highway funds. In 1994, Federal and State highway-use taxes funded 58 percent of the highway program. Motor-fuel taxes account for more than half of that figure. Fuel consumption is also used to indicate trends in the amount of travel.
Vehicle Registration and Driver Licensing Data
Motor-vehicle registration and driver-license data are used by FHWA in a wide variety of planning activities, including the Highway Cost Allocation Study. Registration and licensing data also help FHWA understand the numbers and types of vehicles that our highway system and programs must serve. Interest in allocating road-user taxes to various vehicle types has increased the importance of registration data, particularly truck registrations.
