US/CANADA RAIL BORDER OPERATIONS TRANSPORTATION BORDER WORKING GROUP WASHINGTON, DC APRIL 30, 2004 Jane Bachner Federal Railroad Administration US/CANADA RAIL BORDER OPERATIONS TRANSPORTATION BORDER WORKING GROUP WASHINGTON, DC APRIL 30, 2004 Jane Bachner Federal Railroad Administration

CROSS-BORDER ABC’S  22 RAIL CROSSINGS -TOP 6 ACCOUNT FOR 90% OF TRAFFIC  14 RAILROADS -6 MAJOR US AND CANADIAN RR’S -CN (inc. GTW) CP (inc. Soo, D&H) -UP, BNSF, CSX, NS

US/CANADA RAIL CROSSINGS

2003 RAIL CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC CrossingsValue (Billion $US) Port Huron MI22.9 Detroit MI16.7 Buffalo/Niagara Falls NY9.1 Int’l Falls/Ranier MN4.6 Portal ND2.7 Blaine WA2.1 Subtotal58.1 Total, All Crossings64.8

2003 TRUCK CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC CROSSINGVALUE (BILLION US$) Detroit MI84.7 Buffalo/Niagara Falls NY45.7 Port Huron MI35.7 Champlain/Rouses Pt. NY 12.7 Alexandria Bay NY10.0 Blaine WA9.9 SUBTOTAL198.7 ALL CROSSINGS240.9

TOP US EXPORTS TO CANADA, 2003 VALUE (Billion $US) BY RAIL: Transp. Equipment7.3 Plastics1.4 Organic Chemicals1.0 By TRUCK: Transp. Equipment27.5 Reactors, Boilers, etc.25.9 Elec. Machinery12.1

TOP US IMPORTS FROM CANADA, 2003 Value (Billion US$) BY RAIL: Transp. Equipment27.3 Wood, Products5.1 Paper, Paperboard3.0 BY TRUCK: Transp. Equipment25.4 Reactors, Boilers, etc.13.3 Charity Articles, Military Apparel 7.8

RAIL BORDER CROSSINGS Constructed, paid for and operated by carrier New crossings require Presidential Permit -Engineering plans, environmental impacts -States involved in review process, but approval on Federal level

FRA’S ROLE  Safety regulatory agency -Close relationship with Transport Canada

CROSS BORDER OPERATIONS  Equipment moving into US is subject to US rules, unless waived  Crews change at terminal nearest the border -Locomotives may change at crew change points or run through  Cross-border crews must qualify under rules of both countries -FRA Hours of Service rules begin when run starts, not when border is crossed -FRA alcohol/drug rules go into effect for foreign crews June 11, 2004

OPERATIONS, CON’T  FRA does NOT routinely station inspectors at border crossings  We DO conduct random, routine periodic inspections for crews and equipment inside the US

FRA’S ROLE  Liaison/facilitator between railroads and border agencies  Liaison on security and policy issues with Transport Canada

Railroad Vehicle & Cargo Inspection System (Railroad VACIS®)

Benefits The Railroad VACIS is unique in its capabilities. It is the only available method for non- invasive inspection of loaded and moving railroad cars.

Railroad VACIS Images Contraband surrounding cloth Illegal aliens 600 pounds of cocaine

Locations U.S. Northern Border Blaine WA Eastport ID Portal ND Noyes MN (2) International Falls MN Buffalo NY Rouses Pt NY Sarnia Ontario * Windsor Ontario ** U.S. Southern Border Brownsville TX Laredo TX Eagle Pass TX El Paso TX (2) Nogales AZ Calexico CA *** San Ysidro CA Mexico Northern Border Nuevo Laredo Matamoros Piedras Negras Nogales Cd. Juarez Mexicali *** Mexico Ports Vera Cruz Manzanillo * Installation Spring/Summer 04 ** Project on hold *** Systems purchased; in planning stage

Rail VACIS Locations Blaine WA Easport ID Portal ND Noyes MN (2) International Falls MN San Ysidro CA Calexico CA *** Mexicali Mexico *** Nogales AZ Nogales Mexico El Paso TX (2) Cd. Juarez Mexico Eagle Pass TX Piedras Negras Mexico Sarnia Ontario (2) * Windsor Ontario ** Buffalo NY Rouses Pt NY Manzanillo Mexico Vera Cruz Mexico Laredo TX Nuevo Laredo Mex Brownsville TX Matamoros Mexico * Install Spring 2004 ** Project on hold *** In planning stage

Applications The Railroad VACIS is capable of inspecting trains traveling at speeds of between 1 and 8 MPH. As the rail cars move through the gamma beam, their images are individually saved, along with radio frequency identification (RFID) data and a digital video snapshot of the car ID number. The Railroad VACIS operator can view the images as they are acquired, and make appropriate decisions to further inspect the rail cars if necessary.

FRA’S ROLE US Chair of Rail Consultative Group under NAFTA Reviewing agency for new crossings

CHALLENGES AHEAD  Increasing security needs  Rising traffic levels  Scarce funding resources  New safety regulations

MEETING THE CHALLENGES Cooperation/Consultation -National -State/Provincial/Local -Private sector