Technology Subcommittee November 2008

Topical Outline Technology Subcommittee Technology Subcommittee RoleRole Work PlanWork Plan ActivitiesActivities Border Wait Time Measurement and Management Border Wait Time Measurement and Management White Paper on Current State of PracticeWhite Paper on Current State of Practice Bi-national /Interagency ProjectBi-national /Interagency Project Discussion Discussion

Technology Subcommittee The Technology Subcommittee facilitates discussion of the role of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and other technology in improving the efficiency of goods and people movement across the US/Canada border. The subcommittee, through working with border stakeholders, promotes the use of the Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA), as a tool for ensuring institutional agreement and technical integration for ITS & other technology projects at major land border crossings.

Work Plan The work plan for the subcommittee centers on encouraging border infrastructure planners to consider technology and operations solutions for common border problems (e.g. congestion). The group will engage border stakeholders to identify opportunities for coordination and information sharing, sponsor technology projects and engage in activities that demonstrate how the BIFA can be used in planning along the border, in programming/budgeting/identifying border projects, and for project implementation.

Desired Outcomes Identification of technologies and agencies that use technologies at or near the border Identification of technologies and agencies that use technologies at or near the border Fully coordinated border ITS/technology deployments Fully coordinated border ITS/technology deployments Integration of technology considerations into the planning process Integration of technology considerations into the planning process Interoperability of technologies Interoperability of technologies Reduced technology investment cost Reduced technology investment cost Enhanced information exchange, coordination and communication Enhanced information exchange, coordination and communication

Proposed Activities ACTIVITY 1 – Using Technology the Measure Border Wait Times ACTIVITY 1 – Using Technology the Measure Border Wait Times ACTIVITY 2 – Integration of Technology and Operations Considerations into the Planning Process ACTIVITY 2 – Integration of Technology and Operations Considerations into the Planning Process ACTIVITY 3- Promote the use and Maintenance of the Border Information Flow Architecture ACTIVITY 3- Promote the use and Maintenance of the Border Information Flow Architecture

Measuring and Managing Border Wait Times

Some key points along the route A Trip origin Diversion option to alternate crossing Final approach to border crossing End of queue Customs plaza entrance Exit, secondary B C D E G Exit, primary F P S H Trip destination

Measurement Approaches Queue Length Measurement Estimate number of vehicles in the queue.Estimate number of vehicles in the queue. Measure length of queue, mix of vehicle types (cars/trucks) and traffic pattern (number and configuration of lanes) Measure length of queue, mix of vehicle types (cars/trucks) and traffic pattern (number and configuration of lanes) Determine rate of exit from queue (processing time).Determine rate of exit from queue (processing time). Estimate how long it will take for the next vehicle arriving at end of queue to reach the PIL.Estimate how long it will take for the next vehicle arriving at end of queue to reach the PIL. Pros:Pros: Provides estimate for next vehicle entering the queue. Provides estimate for next vehicle entering the queue. Cons:Cons: Records processing times of each PIL lane. Records processing times of each PIL lane.

Measurement Approaches Record Travel Time Between Two points Identifies unique vehicles at two (or more) points and measures travel time.Identifies unique vehicles at two (or more) points and measures travel time. Pros:Pros: Record of actual vehicle crossing. Record of actual vehicle crossing. Cons:Cons: Possible stops at duty free, etc. need to be accounted for. Possible stops at duty free, etc. need to be accounted for. Calculation may already be out-of-date by the time the vehicle reaches the PIL. Calculation may already be out-of-date by the time the vehicle reaches the PIL. Need large sample size to smooth out outliers and give readings representative of whole population. Need large sample size to smooth out outliers and give readings representative of whole population.

Measurement Approaches Global Positioning System (GPS) Records position of vehicle and time at several locations along the queue.Records position of vehicle and time at several locations along the queue. Analyzes vehicle log to calculate time between points.Analyzes vehicle log to calculate time between points. Pros:Pros: Record of actual vehicle crossing. Record of actual vehicle crossing. Cons:Cons: Accuracy of Geo-fencing. Accuracy of Geo-fencing. Need large sample size to smooth out outliers. Need large sample size to smooth out outliers. Delay between measurement and communication to service provider Delay between measurement and communication to service provider

Joint Border Wait Time Project Objectives Objectives Identify technology based solutions for:Identify technology based solutions for: Improving the monitoring, measurement and prediction of Border Wait Times (BWT). Improving the monitoring, measurement and prediction of Border Wait Times (BWT). Improving the integrity of the real time information reported on the public websites.Improving the integrity of the real time information reported on the public websites. Reducing demands on port operations and personnel resources.Reducing demands on port operations and personnel resources.

Joint Border Wait Time (BWT) Project US CBP/CBSA/US Department of Transportation /Transport Canada agreed to analyze the business requirements and site specifics, to develop possible solutions that could be pilot tested beginning in May US CBP/CBSA/US Department of Transportation /Transport Canada agreed to analyze the business requirements and site specifics, to develop possible solutions that could be pilot tested beginning in May Locations (TBD) Locations (TBD) The recommendations will consider cost benefits, scope of technology, and specific site challenges. The recommendations will consider cost benefits, scope of technology, and specific site challenges.

Measurement vs Distribution Data Information

BWT Project - Key Next steps Secure Funding Commitments Secure Funding Commitments Determine Sites w/Funding and Time Constraints Determine Sites w/Funding and Time Constraints Outreach with Stakeholders Outreach with Stakeholders

ACTIVITY 2 – Integration of Technology and Operations Considerations into the Planning Process -Planning for Operations Over the next 12 months, the technology subcommittee will conduct a series of discussions, the first of which is to be held at the November 2008 TBWG meeting, on integrating technology and operations considerations into the border planning process. The planned discussions will result in recommended actions and activities that will raise awareness of the role of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and technology in improving the efficiency of goods and people movement across the US/Canada border, motivate action (e.g. update of key planning documents), and provide a model for integrating technology deployment as part of facility modernization or infrastructure improvement. Over the next 12 months, the technology subcommittee will conduct a series of discussions, the first of which is to be held at the November 2008 TBWG meeting, on integrating technology and operations considerations into the border planning process. The planned discussions will result in recommended actions and activities that will raise awareness of the role of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and technology in improving the efficiency of goods and people movement across the US/Canada border, motivate action (e.g. update of key planning documents), and provide a model for integrating technology deployment as part of facility modernization or infrastructure improvement.

ACTIVITY 3- Promote the use and Maintenance of the Border Information Flow Architecture

DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS