Border Wait Time Measurement Technology

1. Border Wait Time Measurement Technology  

2. Beyond the Border:A shared vision for perimeter security and economic competitiveness • On February 4, 2011, Prime Minister Harper and President Obama announced the shared vision. • On December 11, 2011, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper released an Action Plan to implement the shared vision. • Under the Action Plan, one of the commitments was to: “Implement a border wait-time measurement system at mutually determined high priority Canada-United States border crossings.”

3. Border Wait Time Measurement Technology CBSA and CBP to identify reasonable and achievable border wait-time service levels at major crossings, and publish these by June 30, 2012. Install border wait-time measurement technology over the next three years at the top 20 crossings. Wait-time information will be available on CBSA and CBP websites, and through other electronic media. Real-time information will be available to the public on websites, roadside signs, and other traveller information systems by the end of 2013.

4. Benefits of BWT Information Increased efficiency and better management of border resources Automated dissemination of wait time data to drivers to make informed decisions about where and when to cross the border Reduced delays at the border Increased capacity Used to measure benefits of other Beyond the Border initiatives

5. 20 Border Crossing Locations • Location selection based on: • Truck and car traffic volumes • Average wait times • Presence of a nearby crossing alternative A Already completed (6 crossings, bi-national) New Beyond the Border initiative (14 crossings)

6. Next Steps • BWTWG will oversee the technology implementation • Identify federal funding • Begin consultations with border states and provinces • Work out various data formatting and exchange issues • Data archive