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ITS at Borders. Edward McCormack Winter 2009. National Borders Problem Context. Primary Border Function Ensure That Only Permitted Persons and Goods Enter the Country Inspection Process Results In Congestion ITS Solution Sets Provide Traveler Information Improve Processing Time.
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ITS at Borders Edward McCormack Winter 2009
National Borders Problem Context • Primary Border Function • Ensure That Only Permitted Persons and Goods Enter the Country • Inspection Process Results In Congestion • ITS Solution Sets • Provide Traveler Information • Improve Processing Time Source: Bart Cima IBI
Border Data • Freight (much of the paper work is handled by brokers) • Tariffs • Quotas • Bills of lading/manifests • Produce control (such as drug interdiction) • Currency law • People (held by each individual traveler) • Nationality • Health • Employment status • Time in or out of county • Permission to enter or stay in country • Political status • Criminal record
Customs and Border Protection Immigration Cargo Agriculture DEA Fish and Wildlife U.S. Marshals ATF Coast Guard Border station “owned” by Government Services Agency Many Agencies Involved in Border Operations
Complex Environment Source: WCOG
The Border Post 9-11 • Emphasis on security • Customs went from revenue collection to a security agency • Increasing reliance on pre-clearance of known shippers and closer scrutiny of chains of custody • Increasing use of ITS and other technologies to verify people, cargo, vehicle
Smart Border Accord & Technology • In 2002, US and Canada agreed to sort out border issues • 30 point accord heavy on technology including ITS • But technology alone does not make the border smart • It can enhance security • by reducing identity fraud • by help to sort and analyze traveler information • And can improve traffic flow • by linking data and pre-clearing travelers / cargo • by managing congestion
Washington Borders • Four Crossings at Wash./B.C. border • Two can be used by trucks • Operates as a system
Example Washington/B.C. Border has a Congestion Problem • 4th busiest commercial crossing on border • 700,000 trucks crossed in 2006 • 6 million cars crossed in 2006 • Delay costs millions per year • Enforcement staffing has not kept up with traffic
ITS Solutions – Border Crossing Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS)
Background Traveler Information Needs: • Pre-trip planning information • Advance notification of crossing wait times Source: Bart Cima IBI
Pre-Trip Information • Traffic Cameras • Historical Wait Time Data • Customs Reports
99 Peace Arch or Pacific Highway? ? SURREY, BC Pacific Highway Peace Arch , WA ? Source: WCOG
The ATIS Solution PA….25 minPH….37 min NB: Save 45 minutes at Pac Hwy.SB: Save 8 minutes at Peace Arch. SURREY, BC Pacific Highway Peace Arch , WA PA….55 minPH….10 min Source: WCOG
British Columbia Southbound ATIS Project • Funds From Both Countries • Measures Real-time Border Crossing Times • Captures Video Images • Message Signs, Telephone, & Internet
Northbound ATIS • Developed by WSDOT • Project includes: • Web Site • Traffic Cameras • Highway Advisory Radio • Loop Detectors • Border Agencies Also Interested in Data • Including Access to CCTV Cameras
ITS Approaches to Improve Processing Time • Identification of lower-risk people, vehicles and shipments • Make the data exchanges electronic (reduce paper transactions) • Use inspection technology
License Plate Readers • Electronic identification of license plates • Automatic link to law enforcement databases • Helps identify of vehicles of interest
License Plate Readers • Uses optical character recognition and works at night • Have difficulty reading some state’s plates, some fonts, and in some weather conditions • Border traffic is slow speed so system works well • Needs to tied to a database
NEXUS Program • Passenger vehicles • Smart card-based, bi-national travel program • Pre-approved travelers can skip queues and access a dedicated commuter lane 1-866-NEXUS26 www.ccra.gc.ca/nexus
Nexus Card • Cost $50 (US) for approved individuals • Proximity-based radio frequency card with chip and antenna • Reader next to inspection booth • Displays data and digital photo inside booth
Passport/License Card • New Washington State driver licenses with RFID chip and unique ID number (no information) • Less costly than a passport • Passports also have RFID chip
The Trade Flow Source: Bart Cima IBI
Electronic Filing US Now Requires One Hour Notification Source: Bart Cima IBI
WSDOT In–Bond Project • In-Bond Shipments • Transit shipments thru the US • Shipper posts a bond • Tracks shipment from Ports of Seattle and Tacoma to border with Canada • Uses Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) Technology • Vehicle Mounted Transponder (the CVISN Transponder) • Roadside Readers
Advanced Notification for Entering US • Trucks – one hour • Ships – 24 hours • Airplanes – Before leaving • Cars/People - none
Source: Bart Cima IBI In-Bond Project Source: Bart Cima IBI Transponder Source: Bart Cima IBI
Northbound In-Bond Process • When truck exits port, the system alerts US Customs • AVI readers at weigh stations provide en-route information • AVI reader south of the border gives preview of in-bond status • Automatically clears out the bond and marks the cargo as exported
Risk Assessment • Identification of Lower Risk Shipments • A number of programs designed to reduce risk • Pre-arrival program for trusted truckers • Automated targeting systems • Electronic container seals • Allow inspection agencies to focus on higher-risk traffic
Risk Assessment Source: Bart Cima IBI
Risk Assessment & Container Seals Standard “dumb” seal Transponder door seal
One eSeal that was tested in Washington • Disposable transponder for container door • 316 MHz (military frequency) • Costs $5 • Tamper indicator message • Readable at 35 MPH • Transmits unique ID number
Another E-seal Tested in Washington • Semi-disposable • CVISN Compatible • 915 MHz • Costs $50
Electronic Seal Functions • Reusable or disposable • Battery life • Durability • Cost • Active or passive • Frequency (no standard yet) • Readable at freeway speeds • Range • Security
Example: How Electronic Seals Work • In-transit containers of prohibited foods “lost” by US Department of Agriculture • Seal track containers from Texas and Port of Tacoma to Canada • Reader at border indicates when containers have left country