Canada – United States Transportation Border Work Group Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Hal Morse, GBNRTC Executive Director Planning Organizations at the Border The Buffalo – Niagara Experience The Buffalo – Niagara Experience

Planning in U.S. Metro Regions Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO ) The MPO is the “forum for cooperative transportation decisionmaking for the metropolitan area” Primary engine driving regional collaboration and coordination Leads the transportation planning process for the metropolitan area, develops and approves Metropolitan Plan for transportation Also the region’s policymaking organization responsible for prioritizing and programming funds for transportation initiatives Carries out the metro transportation planning process in cooperation with the State DOT(s) and transit operators

Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council Erie and Niagara County’s Erie and Niagara County’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) A Cooperative Association of Area Governments and Agencies

City of Buffalo City of Niagara Falls Erie County Niagara County NYS Department of Transportation Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority NYS Thruway Authority

Our Mission Focus on projects - Staging the right projects at the right time Plan for the future - What do we need, how will we get there Address region’s issues – examine regional and local challenges and develop solutions BiNational planning and economic integration seen as a key issue

Early BiNational Planning Efforts Historically Good Neighbors Regional Approaches are Inclusive; GBNRTC, Regional Niagara, NITTEC Cross Border Transportation Planning Coordination Subcommittee Numerous Studies and Data Collection BiNational Regional Travel Model at GBNRTC Bridge Operators Working Relationship Active Trade and Tourism Groups

Why the Border is Important

Four (4) International Motor Vehicle Bridges QEW and Interstate I-90 (Major Connectors) Two (2) Railway Bridges Four (4) Major Railways Rail Passenger Service VIA and AMTRAK Commuter Rail – GO Train Inter-City Bus Services Four (4) Major Airports Welland Canal (St. Lawrence Seaway), Several Ports

US Border Entry from Canada Volume Rankings – Buffalo Niagara

The trade relationship between the US and Canada is the largest in the world Volumes crossing the U.S. and Canada border encompasses more the US $1.4B a day and over 200M people a year

The portion of that trade which flows between NYS and Ontario is a major part of that total trade relationship NYS-Ontario annual trade typically at least $20B

Recognizing the close economic ties, the Province of Ontario and the State of New York organized a summit conference involving the Premier of Ontario and the Governor of New York. Formalized and Deepened Border Planning

Led to the creation of a BiNational Working Group to oversee and set direction for the development of a BiNational Transportation Strategy for the Niagara Frontier Representatives from NYS Department of Transportation, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, both federal transportation agencies, local planning bodies and bridge authorities

People and goods move safely, securely and efficiently within the BiNational Niagara region via a transportation system that is unified, provides multimodal alternatives, is environmentally sensitive and supports economic growth.

Commuters and other travelers enjoy safe, predictable, and efficient trips across the Niagara region National and regional economies expand and prosper with rapid, predication and safe movement of goods and people through the region Goods and people move securely and infrastructure is secure Decision-making recognizes the importance of environmental and the well-being of border communities The Vision is Supported by Specific Goals

Getting to the Border Border Crossing Infrastructure Border Management

Strategy Element 1 Foster improved coordination between appropriate agencies and stakeholders Strategy Element 2 Ensure adequacy of highway approach corridor capacity, connectivity to economic centres and network flexibility, with priority on investment to facilitate efficient goods movement and tourist travel Strategy Element 3 Improve enforcement, processing and plaza infrastructure to enhance efficiency, security and safety Strategy Element 4 P rovide sufficient river crossing capacity and network flexibility to meet demand Strategy Element 5 Optimize use of all transportation modes to improve the efficiency of the entire transportation system Strategy Element 6 Realize unique opportunities for overall border network management emphasizing innovative ITS strategies

The Summit Products Border management – Heightened security – Need for predictable travel times – Multiplicity of agencies and priorities – Some decisions outside regional control – Expectations for technology and ITS

BiNational transportation working group Niagara BiNational economic roundtable Ontario-New York Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation Federal border working groups Operational Coordination Some Examples Include:

Existing Amtrak-VIA Service Empire Corridor (NY- Toronto) High Speed Rail GO Train Commuter Expansion Niagara Falls – Buffalo Commuter Rail

Western New YorkWestern New York Bi-National LogisticsBi-National Logistics Hub InitiativeHub Initiative

Extensive set of studies examined issues and opportunities Discussions with stakeholders generating actions to implement Infrastructure upgrades for consideration in programming cycles Integrated Logistics Complex appears to have potential, BiNational approach important Included detailed review of container traffic:

Canadian & U.S. Ports © World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara NY/NJ 5.3 M TEUS Savannah 2.6 M TEUS Charleston 1.8 M TEUS Norfolk 2.1 M TEUS LA / LB 15.7 M TEUS Oakland 2.4 M TEUS Vancouver 2.3 M TEUS Seattle/Tac 3.9M TEUS Montreal 1.4 M TEUS Halifax 0.5M TEUS Houston 1.8 M TEUS Prince Rupert

“Buffalo” Volume “Buffalo” Volume © World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara NY/NJ Savannah Charleston Norfolk Montreal Halifax TEUS for NY/NJ WNY: 15,000 Ontario: 50,000+ Ontario volume goes through Buffalo by truck Buffalo is best location for transfer to rail

© World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara Buffalo TEUS by Port Buffalo Seattle LA/Long Beach Savannah Charleston Norfolk Philadelphia 20,000 30,000 50,000 10,000 65,000 12,000 8,000 NYC Buffalo is on the route from Ontario to NYC and South Class 1 railroads connect to East & West Coast ports

Economic Impact Opportunity per 1000 TEU 1000 containers (20 foot equivalent = TEU) would require 21,500,000 cubic feet of distribution space Create 1,900 warehouse jobs Create 900 office, administrative, and marketing headquarters positions Create additional railyard, trucking, packaging, insurance, banking, legal, government, maintenance, and construction jobs © World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara

Conclusions Region has the volume: 250,000 TEUS/year Region has most of the infrastructure Ontario is 75% of the opportunity Truck/rail terminals and ancillary services should be marketed as a – Bi-national Logistics Center – rail service to East & West coast ports – truck delivery in WNY, Ontario, PA & OH Industry will benefit from – reduced transportation costs (fuel, driver time) – Better frequency & transit times – Added opportunity for logistics services Port Authority potential – Erie & Niagara Counties + links to nearby Ontario – Funded for its primary functions of coordinating and marketing © World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara

Logistics Center Concept Emphasize the “new” logistics model Inland Port Distribution Networks (IPDN) Back-office services Value-added light manufacturing Distribution centers Service Facilities Multiple modes and providers “Freight Village” concept adds – Hotel and conference space – Training facilities – Internal mail, restaurants and transportation services

Critical Regional Success Factors Requires three main attributes Location 2.3 m in Western New York, 10.6 m in “Golden Horseshoe” Educated Workforce Low Real Estate costs Accessibility Efficient access to multiple modes of transportation Four Class 1 and numerous short-line railroads Extensive interstate highway system Two airports Numerous marine ports Terminal Infrastructure Located near existing and future sources of consumption or production Foreign trade zones Numerous brownfield sites available

Benefits of One Location Serving Two Nations Cost reduction Proximity to major U.S. and Canadian metro areas enables companies to quickly grasp and adjust to changing market conditions Opportunity to promote light manufacturing and assembly since companies tend to locate near transportation and distribution hubs

Benefits of One Location Serving Two Nations Reduction of tariffs by utilizing more favorable HS codes and foreign trade zones This encourages foreign companies to ship components, instead of finished products, here for assembly... then locally source components Adding value to goods heading to and from Canada, as well as goods to and from third countries. (Truck traffic via Buffalo to rise 90% from )

Enhancing North American Competitiveness U.S. and Canadian companies increasingly partner to produce quality goods and services for global markets Improved transportation and logistics infrastructure — resulting from the Bi-National Logistics Hub — will further boost supply chain efficiencies, and Encourage U.S. and Canadian companies to further integrate manufacturing and service sectors

Action Steps Continue to present study findings and opportunity Engage ESDC and emerging Regional Council Build U.S. side stakeholder/industry group through Buffalo-Niagara Partnership Logistics Council Plan ramp up of activities, including cooperative marketing, issues identification, capital projects, operational improvements, regulatory/border, etc Identify and engage Canadian stakeholders and industry group representatives Deepen and develop BiNational Logistics Hub concept

Regional Perspective on the Border and Integrated Traffic Management Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition

NITTEC Multi-Agency Transportation Operations Coalition 14 Member Agencies with 15 Affiliate Members in Canada & U.S. Established in 1995 through Memorandum of Understanding Council and Committee governance with agency leadership Centralized 24/7 operations and traffic management services for bi-national region

Regional Cross Border Perspective Bi-national Gateway – Key economic port for Canada-US trade – World renowned destination for tourists – Key Component of Regional Transportation Network Single Border Crossing Concept – View border crossing as regional corridor – Balancing traffic and capacity

Coalition’s Border Management Role Regional Collaboration and Leadership – Border Crossing Collaboration – Border Crossing Operations – Traffic and Incident Management – Technology Deployment – Public Information and Education – Traveler Information

Border Crossing Collaboration Border Crossing Committee Participation by Transportation agencies, bridge operators and enforcement agencies Standardized border wait times Standardized DMS Messaging Joint Press Releases and public information campaigns

Border Crossing Operations Coalition TMC acts as information clearinghouse for all border related traveler and traffic information Border enforcement resource management Event planning and review Construction planning

Border Related Traffic and Incident Management Ontario and WNY Incident Management Committees Coordination with border enforcement, local police and public safety agencies Border Crossing Traffic Management Plans Staging areas and truck management Queue end management

Technology Deployment TRANSMIT E-ZPass transponder based system deployed in US and Canada CCTV Coverage Detector based queue end warning systems Bluetooth reader technology Pilot Project for travel time

Public Information and Education Promote Single Border Crossing Concept Border Crossing Maps – Combat the Google Phenomena Live Traffic Display for real-time traffic data

Traveler Information NITTEC, NFBC, CPB and CBSA websites Mobile device access to CCTV images of crossings and approach facilities

Traveler Information Dynamic Message Signs in US and Canada Highway Advisory Radio Bridge Conditions Phone Service 511NY MYNITTEC Subscriber System

Border Conditions Over 96% of the time at least one crossing is available without delay for passenger and commercial vehicles to the U.S and Canada 84% of the time there are no delays at any of the crossings Holidays and weekends account for 52% of the delays Traffic redistribution is effective for reducing delays May 20, 2011 and September 5, 2011

Next Steps in Planning and Some Collaborative Entity Issues

Viable Attributes of an Effective BiNational Entity Lean, focused, core group for issues management and assignment Larger cadre of committed stakeholders available for cooperative consultation and action Cross cutting approach needed to achieve consensus decisions

Ontario-New York Declaration of Partnership and MOU on Cooperation Niagara 10 Buffalo Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority Niagara Falls Bridge Commission NITTEC University at Buffalo Regional Institute Niagara Regional Observatory World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara BiNational Tourism Alliance Brock University/University at Buffalo Exchange Agreement Canada-U.S. trade Center, University at Buffalo

Original Concept Niagara BiNational Transportation Coordinating Group Original Concept Niagara BiNational Transportation Coordinating Group Executive Committee Steering Committee Industry Stakeholders Coordinating Committee Direct, Endorse and Advocate Coordination & Recommendations Advisory Groups Liaison MTO Assistant Deputy Minister – Policy, Planning and Standards Branch NYSDOT - Director, Office of Southern Tier and Western Transportation Strategy Transport Canada - Director Surface Operations FHWA - Division Administrator Region of Niagara Public Works Commissioner GBNRTC Senior Policy Representative PBA / NFBC Cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, NY & Ont Towns of Fort Erie and NOTL, Counties NFTA Ont Ministry of Economic Trade & Development, NY Empire State Development Associations, Airports, Shippers, Truckers, Rail, Marine, Local Chamber of Commerce Tourism, CAA, AAA Enforcement agencies OPP/State Police EBTC / Can-US TBWG / Cam-Am Border Trade Alliance Economic Roundtable Niagara River BiNational Border Mayors Coalition Local Municipalities Border Agencies Customs & Border Protection - Buffalo Canadian Border Services Agency - Fort Erie Other BiNational Groups Emergency Services Bridge Operators MTO – Director Transportation Planning Branch MTO – Director Central Region NYSDOT – Director Policy and Strategic Planning Bur NYSDOT – Regional Director, Region 5 Transport Canada - Senior Advisor/Surface Programs FHWA – Planning Chief NYSTA – Deputy Division Director Region of Niagara – Director of Transportation GBNRTC – Senior Staff Representative NITTEC – Executive Director

Diversity of the Mission – Infrastructure/Land use/Economy/Environmental Coordination of Numerous Ongoing Activities and Relationships Governance and Management of an Effective BiNational Entity

Future Needs Technical aid in linking global economic perspective and transportation Specific, focused, infrastructure improvement plan and implementation program Federal investment in corridors and borders Innovative, coordinated border management Ongoing commitment to cooperation and progress at all levels

Revisit and update Regional BiNational Strategy based on changing environment – Shared Border Management (SBM) – Western Hemisphere Travel Intuitive (WHTI) – Economic and Demographic Forecasts – Projects completed or deferred Establish objectives and performance measures Contemporary governance approach