ITS Session TBWG, Boston, April 13-14, 2010 by Jonathan Sabean, Transport Canada

Overview Memorandum of Cooperation (TC, FHWA, CBP, CBSA) Implementing Agreement (TC and FHWA) Other Border Wait Time Initiatives Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA)

Memorandum of Cooperation Regarding the Measurement of Border Wait Times between Transport Canada U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Highway Administration Canada Border Services Agency “Intend to work together to identify opportunities for cooperation on specific projects and activities that foster the use of technology to measure border wait times at US/Canada land border crossings.” Signed March 9, 2010 This is a really big deal. For those of you working on bi-national border projects, we wanted to share with you what we’ve accomplished. I want to recognize some of the people that contributed to this: Crystal Jones (who is not here), Travis Black, Roger Petzold – FHWA Jim Patten – CBP Lynne Lussier – CBSA and of course, all of our lawyers. Legitimizes cooperative work we’ve already been doing. Gives us a specific document to refer to for the authority to do what we’re doing. “Intend” to work together “Does not create an obligation or commitment of funds, nor is it a basis for the transfer of funds.” (as above) Focus on two border crossing regions Collaborate on: Design standards and policies. Evaluation of technologies and implementation of a pilot project. Development of project architectures (using the BIFA). the use of border wait time data.

Implementing Agreement between Transport Canada and the Federal Highway Administration “Regarding a project to test, evaluate and deploy technologies to automate the measurement of real-time border wait times at US-Canada land border crossings.” Signed March 31, 2010 Funding Agreement Considered MOU This is the funding agreement. We all know how difficult it can be to give each other money. Suggestion to use the resources of the TBWG to share best practices and success stories for co-funding border initiatives? How the project is setup: FHWA is contracting authority FHWA is providing a service to TC MOU has been used in the past for some low-dollar projects.

Other Border Wait Time Initiatives The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for southbound border wait time measurement systems at: The Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, The Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, and The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. The RFP closes April 19, 2010 Government of Canada co-funding is provided from the Border Infrastructure Fund (BIF) under the Intelligent Border Crossing initiative. B.C. Ministry of Transportation is deploying southbound border wait time systems at the Hwy 13 and 11 crossings. Government of Canada co-funding is provided from the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) initiative. Both of these initiatives bring a region-wide approach to the provision of border congestion information to enable drivers to choose the most efficient border crossing. Additional funding is still available.

Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA) Under the auspices of the TBWG, the development of the Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA) was completed in December, 2005. Under the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), $2.6 million was allocated to Transport Canada to fund projects that demonstrate the effective use of the BIFA for planning technology projects at the border.

Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA) TC has received 8 proposals requesting a total of $1.5 million. Types of projects include: Traveller information systems for border users, Border data warehousing and dissemination, Border region architecture development, and Sharing commercial vehicle data across the border. Finalizing Contribution Agreements TC still accepting proposals to access the remaining funding.

Contact info Jonathan Sabean Senior Policy Advisor Intelligent Transportation Systems Policy Branch Transport Canada 613-949-1251 jonathan.sabean@tc.gc.ca