BORDER CROSSING TIME MEASUREMENT PROJECT Timoteo Tim Juarez, Jr., International Trade & Border Coordinator, TXDOT Juan Carlos Villa, Regional Manager Latin America, TTI October 17, 2018
Border Crossing Time Measurement Project Agenda The Texas-Mexico Border Transportation System The Border crossing process Border Crossing Time Measurement Project Importance for TxDOT and Lessons Learned 2
The Texas-Mexico Border Transportation System Texas has led the United States in exports since 2008 and saw a 14 percent increase in exports to $265 billion from 2016 to 2017. Mexico is Texas largest trade partner, representing 35 percent of all Texas international trade 3
The Texas-Mexico Border Transportation System Texas s 1,255-mile border with Mexico, is served by 28 border crossings, rail and highway corridors serving the crossings, airports, and ports. This infrastructure assets are a critical component in facilitating U.S. and Texas trade with Mexico. 4
The Texas-Mexico Border Transportation System Texas traded in total $187 billion with Mexico in 2017, 81 percent ($152 billion) of which were traded by truck and rail Texas s Land Border Crossing by mode 5
The Texas-Mexico Border Transportation System The World Trade Bridge in Laredo is the busiest commercial crossing in Texas, handling 40 percent of incoming trucks from Mexico to Texas in 2017. Number of Commercial Vehicle Crossings (2017) 6
Texas-Mexico Border Crossing Process Due to truck cross border restrictions, the use of drayage or transfer trucks at the border is common practice 7
Texas-Mexico Border Crossing Process Process involves stakeholders from: 2 countries Federal State Local Private sector Stakeholder s objectives are not always aligned 8
Texas-Mexico Border Crossing Process U.S. Stakeholders: Federal U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Services Administration Federal Motor Carrier Services Administration U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal Highway Administration State Texas Department of Transportation Department of Public Safety Local MPOs City Private sector Shippers Carriers Customs brokers Mexican Stakeholders: Federal Aduanas INDAABIN SCT- DGAF SAGARPA SCT-Carreteras State Departments of Public Works Policia Estatal Local Municipios Private sector Shippers Carriers Customs brokers 9
Texas-Mexico Border Crossing Process This process creates congestion and unreliability for border crossing operations 1
Border Crossing Time Measurement Project The Issue: No reliable and consistent border crossing time information Solution: Develop and implement an automated system to measure border crossing and wait times, and disseminate information RFID Reader and Antenna DPS U.S. CBP MX Aduana U.S. MX Wait Time Crossing Time RFID equipment reads tags/transponders already carried by trucks. These tags could be (user fee decal, FAST, MX/US toll tags) 1
Border Crossing Time Measurement Project Project Management 1. Development phase: Comprehensive stakeholder engagement workshops one-on-one meetings briefings Technical information documentation Reports Technology tests results Technology updates 1
Border Crossing Time Measurement Project Project Management 2. Operation phase: Keep stakeholders involved with regular reports Update or modify reports/information as needed Prepare budgets to assure continuous operation Identify local contractors Be prepared for contingencies Develop data quality control systems 1
Importance for TxDOT TxDOT needs to work with multiple stakeholders in Mexico and the U.S. to improve transportation operations and planning The information from this project is useful for decision making Planning Economic impact assessment of border crossing delays Fluidity analyses Lessons learned Building relationships with multiple stakeholders is important Sharing data and information improves the transportation system The border is a different environment with continuous changes that require good project management practices. 1