Transportation Border Working Group Membership Survey

1. Transportation Border Working Group Membership Survey Hugh Conroy and Walter Steeves in association with the TBWG Steering Committee 2008-11-19 Toronto

2. Background - Survey and Respondents • Over the summer months (July – September 2008) • 51 respondents • 31 questions • Survey Monkey web-based questionnaire

3. Points of consensus Issues needing more discussion Reach a conclusion Refer back to the Steering Committee for a specific proposal Other feedback & insights TBWG focus & Action Plan Meetings Participation & Structure Subcommittees Communication Discussion Plan Respondent profile Review of conclusions & next-steps

4. Respondent Profile Have you ever attended a plenary? • 38 of 51 responded to the question • 82% said yes • 18% said no

5. Respondent Profile

6. Overall Satisfaction Focus & Action Plan The TBWG helps enhance “border-wide” bi-national planning, communication, and coordination on Canada-U.S. border and transportation infrastructure issues. • 2% disagree • 21% agree somewhat • 68% agree • 9% strongly agree Best Practices • Information sharing (i.e. online compendium, ideas, (8) • Inter-agency communication and coordination (6) • Plenaries and workshops (4) • Agency / Project updates (3) • Subcommittees (2) • Private sector panels (2) • Border Infrastructure Flow Architecture work (2) • Border tours

7. Focus & Action Plan Strategic Directions: Inter-agency Cooperation Should enhancing inter-agency cooperation continue to be a priority? • 5% agree somewhat • 46% agree • 49% strongly agree Suggested strategies: • Data sharing • Joint data collection • Memorandum of Cooperation signed by member agencies to institutionalize coordination (2) • Communicating with operating levels of member agencies (2) • Document and assess mutual objectives and priorities • Ensure high-level Customs participation • Identify clearly what is wanted of each agency

8. Focus & Action Plan Strategic Directions – Action Plan Priorities Ranking of the TBWG Action Plan priorities: • Enhancing Interagency Coordination • Trade / Traffic Data SC Initiatives • OBIC (Border Compendium) • BIFA / Border Technology • Information clearinghouse (website)

9. Focus & Action Plan How specifically could the TBWG best position itself to advance its Action Plan initiatives and to become increasing “action oriented”? Suggestions: • Clear objectives (4) • Understanding of overarching policy drivers • Shorter / tighter action plan • Use consultants to facilitate and coordinate specific issues • Focus on issues rather than policy and oversight (2) • Increased commitment from members required • Market TBWG’s accomplishments to gain more support • Increase membership on subcommittees • Need stronger buy-in from member agencies • Advance planning studies

10. Meetings Holding two TBWG plenary meetings per year is the appropriate frequency • 7% disagree; • 40% agree somewhat; • 35% agree; • 18% strongly agree Alternative - One plenary per year and workshops • 14% disagree; • 25% agree somewhat; • 44% agree; • 19% strongly agree

11. Meetings Two days per plenary? • 2% disagree • 7% agree somewhat • 75% agree • 16% strongly agree Respondents said: • Depends on the content of each plenary • “I think two days works well.” • Depends on level of activities at subcommittee level • “Much longer than 2 days is hard to get away for and less than 2 days is hard to justify the travel.” • Suggestions ranged from 1 day to 3 days.

12. Scope of Activities – Topics Covered Meetings TBWG updates and presentations on significant issues affecting border management and cross-border transportation have been timely and useful. • 2% disagree • 26% agree somewhat • 56% agree • 16% strongly agree

13. Scope of Activities - Issues Meetings Ranking of interest in continued coverage of topics 1. Updates on regional planning / border projects 1. Border technology developments / border wait times 2. U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and Enhanced Drivers' Licenses (EDLs) 2. Institutional change affecting border issues 2. Initiatives designed to ensure secure and efficient flows at smaller border crossings 2. U.S. Surface Transportation Re-authorization / Canadian funding programs 3. Stakeholder dialogue sessions on specific topics 3. U.S. Advance Notification / Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) modernization 3. Implementation of trusted traveler / shipper programs 4. Motor carrier safety (e.g., hours of service)

14. Meetings Scope of Activities – Topics Covered Additional initiatives and issues of interest for presentation topics: • Gateways and corridors • Port groups • Supply chains • Motor carrier safety (2) • Surface and intermodal security • Canada/U.S. border vs. European and Mexican/U.S. borders • Testimonials from the private sector about the success of border initiatives • Declining border traffic levels • Border wait time standards

15. Meetings My jurisdiction / agency would welcome a TBWG plenary: • 14% disagree • 23% agree somewhat • 54% agree • 9% strongly agree Best locations: • Major cities (most common answer) • Near airports • Near the border

16. Participants & Structure The TBWG has engaged the appropriate players to make progress on its objectives / initiatives. • 2% disagree • 26% agree somewhat • 63% agree • 9% strongly agree

17. Participants & Structure Possible additional players: • Status quo (2) • Additional agencies / departments • Smaller states and provinces (5) • Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada • CBP and CBSA (3) • Various security agencies • State law enforcement • Private sector • Economic development agencies, chambers of commerce (4) • Major freight providers (2) • University experts / researchers • Crossing operators and authorities (2) • Decision makers / politicians

18. Subcommittees Border Infrastructure Coordination The Online Border Infrastructure Compendium (OBIC) is an effective tool… • 41% agree somewhat • 46% agree • 13% strongly agree Suggested additions to the OBIC: • Commercial vehicle inspection sites near crossings • Intermodal facilities (4) • Identify corridors (2) • Gateway strategy information • Modes at and near crossings • Spreadsheet format • Accuracy of data needs to be improved (i.e. counts, combined trade data) • Public version of the OBIC • Element of proven border efficiencies

19. Subcommittees Technology The Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA) is a useful tool… • 4% disagree • 43% agree somewhat • 43% agree • 10% strongly agree

20. Subcommittees Trade and Traffic The Trade and Traffic Data Committee has made good progress in identifying common data needs and assessing effective data gathering and analysis: • 3% disagree; • 42% agree somewhat • 47% agree • 8% strongly agree Other items to pursue: • Enhanced data collection at crossings (e.g. origin-destination data) (2) • Review and standardization of border wait time methodologies • Data exchange among agencies • Data warehouse

21. Subcommittees Policy The Policy Subcommittee addresses a distinct set of issues in a way that serves the interests of the full TBWG. • 6% disagree • 41% agree somewhat • 45% agree • 8% strongly agree Other items to consider: • “State of the Northern Border” discussion paper • Better engage membership • Compare policies of U.S./Canada border with those of U.S./Mexico and European contexts • Clarify mandate • Transport and border security • More updates from regional planning authorities • Prioritized list of research efforts • Standardizing border infrastructure for more seamless crossings

22. Subcommittees General participation I would be prepared to consider devoting more time to TBWG subcommittees: • 3% strongly disagree • 17% disagree • 44% agree somewhat • 31% agree • 5% strongly agree Additional comments: • Workgroup objectives and outcomes must be clear • Too busy (4) • Better scheduling of committee work required • Travel is a constraint

23. Communications Website The TBWG website provides an effective means of enhancing communications… • 38% agree somewhat • 49% agree • 13% strongly agree

24. Other Tools Communications Support for a newsletter • 2% strongly disagree • 20% disagree • 27% agree somewhat • 36% agree • 15% strongly agree Other suggestions: • Interactive border map • Q & A section • Email updates / broadcasts (e.g. changes to the website) (3) • Video teleconferencing • Webinars (e.g. Let’s Talk Borders)

25. Summary Points of Consensus TBWG Focus & Action Plan: • Interagency co-operation & co-ordination – key role • Importance of Action Plan clarity & focus TBWG Plenaries & Subcommittees: • Frequency: Two plenaries / year – two days / plenary • Location: Major cities (budgets, ease of travel) • Structure: Open working group meetings, infrastructure / policy / program updates, private sector panel / presentation, security program updates • Subcommittees: general support – additional participation limited by workloads & topics

26. Summary cont. TBWG Communications: • Website: key information sharing tool – currency & updates important – improvements? • OBIC: important tool – basic updates remain key -- potential upgrades Suggestions & Additional Discussion: • TBWG newsletter • OBIC - public access component • Participation of smaller jurisdictions • Other topics – freight, environment, etc.