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Electronic accountability system created

OAK RIDGE, Tenn., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have developed an electronic accountability system they say can save millions of dollars and ensure total worker accountability.

The system, developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, uses radio frequency technology to tag and identify people and equipment. A pilot test was so successful at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency's Washington Navy Yard site that ORNL was asked to install a system at the agency's St. Louis facility.

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"Never before had a government agency allowed the use of active radio frequency identification technology within a classified facility of this type," said Gary Steimer of ORNL's National Security Directorate.

"The equipment accountability system alone will save the government both manpower and money," Steimer said. "The workforce used to conduct inventories and track equipment will be reduced by about 80 percent.

"In any federal or state building that houses hundreds or thousands of employees, knowing where people are is a tremendous concern," Steimer added. "In the event of a drill or actual emergency, our system lets responders know quickly who is still in the building."

The system was developed by ORNL's Greg Hanson, John Jones and Angela Sexton.

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