An estimated $1 billion in lost revenue each year is fueling an effort by Oak Ridge National Laboratory to prevent fuel tax evasions. The system being developed by a team led by Gary Capps will use evidential reasoning techniques, fuel markers, sensor and vehicle tracking devices to monitor, track and detect the movements of petroleum products. "We'll be able to determine the legitimacy of the movements and fuel loading and unloading, thereby enabling shippers and regulators to better keep track of the disposition of taxed and non-taxed petroleum-based products," Capps said. The system is being developed with assistance from Pilot Oil, based in Knoxville, Tenn. Money collected through the federal fuel tax funds the Highway Trust Fund, which is in turn apportioned to states for highway projects.
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