ITS at Borders and Ports Edward McCormack CEE 582

Ports

3 Port Operations Vessel operations – movement and docking of ships on waterside Terminal operations – load/unloading and temporary storage of cargo Landside operations – movement of cargo in/out of port on landside Technology can integrate these operations but there is tends to be a lack of coordination because mix of public and private functions

4 Landside Operations Truck dray cargo between port and rail yard, warehouse, or ultimate origin (or vice-versa) Each port terminal has a gate and information system to tell trucker where to pickup or leave cargo in terminal Gate also provides security Information exchange with truckers typically by fax, teletype, or phone but electronic data Interchange (EDI)/Internet use is growing

5 Port Gate

6 Transportation Problem at the Ports Urban roadways congested as truckers trying to access or leave port Long queues at port gate as trucker try to get into terminal Backup onto public streets

7 Landside Access Problems Arterials leading to port often not up to truck traffic generated by port (geometrics, RR crossings, turn lanes) Cars and trucks do not mix well Little public support for “more” trucks on roads Freight (containers) is increasing concentrated on major gateway exacerbating the problem

8 Delays at gates Driver arrives before cargo is ready Bad information about pickup which requires research at gate Drivers go to wrong terminal Proper equipment not ready Gate hours limited Ships getting larger so more peaking Language problems at gate

9 ITS and Ports ITS can improve physical flows (trucks picking up and delivering cargo) ITS can improve information flows between truckers, shipper, terminal, etc

10

11 Fixing Landside Port Congestion Connect trucker to information about availability of containers more efficiently Increase throughput at port gate Improve roadway access to ports (traveler info systems, grade separate RR crossings, truck only routes) Keep terminals open longer

12 Connect Truckers to Containers California’s Port Appointment System –Law mandates a $250 fine for every truck that idles for more than 30 minutes (driven by air quality concerns) –Exemptions for terminals that provide a pickup or appointment system –eModal has set up internet based appointment system that forecast pick-up times for trucks

13 Connect Truckers to Containers eModal links various databases to provide notification systems when container is available Reduce queues and increase trucker’s efficiency Private fee based system

14 Connect Truckers to Containers in Port Provide in-port information to direct trucks to container in terminals Using a combination of –GPS on chassis and yard trucks –wireless networks –Transponders on equipment –Software Also used for asset management

15 Connect Truckers to Containers Freight Information Real Time System for Transport (FIRST) in NY Web site to integrates freight information systems to provide real-time information to drayage truckers Provides water, port, highway information to registered users Poor coordination between public and private agencies So not well used

16 Increase throughput at gates Validate driver and vehicle –Use biometrics –Smart cards –Electronic cargo identification (transponders) –Optical character recognition for container number Replace paper transactions with electronics A smart Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) may be required by Homeland Security

17 Improve Roadway Access to Ports Port typically have had little concern beyond gates ITS systems can provide traffic and incident information on port access roads Cameras at port gates

18 ATMIS in California Ports of LA and Long Beach has Advanced Transportation Management, Information, and Security Systems (ATMIS) Traffic component includes: –Cameras –Port gate queue detection –VMS –Link to other traffic management centers –Communication network –Truck-oriented traveler information

19 ATMIS

20 Challenges: Drayage Truckers Owner-operator is most common drayage trucker at ports Low income so they can not afford expensive equipment Truck parking in insecure locations so ITS equipment theft can be problems Drivers paid by trip so competition to get through gate

21 Challenges Data sharing systems requires public - private cooperation Port and terminal operators are competitive with proprietary data systems Port access roads often arterials and often not instrumented Who pays for these systems?

22 Borders and ITS

23 National Borders Problem Context Primary Border Function –Ensure That Only Permitted Persons and Goods Enter the Country Inspection Process Results In Congestion ITS Solution Sets –Provide Traveler Information –Improve Processing Time Source: Bart Cima IBI

24 Border Data Freight (much of the paper work is handled by brokers) –Tariffs –Quotas –Bills of lading/manifests –Produce control (such as drug interdiction) –Currency law People (held by each individual traveler) –Nationality –Health –Employment status –Time in or out of county –Permission to enter or stay in country –Political status –Criminal record

25 Many Agencies Involved in Border Operations Customs and Border Protection –Immigration –Cargo –Agriculture DEA Fish and Wildlife U.S. Marshals ATF Coast Guard Border station “owned” by Government Services Agency

26 Complex Environment Source: WCOG

27 Freight at the Border Post 9-11 Emphasis on security Customs went from revenue collection to a security agency Increasing reliance on pre-clearance of known shippers and closer scrutiny of chains of custody Increasing use of ITS and other technologies to verify cargo, vehicle, driver

28 Smart Border Accord & Technology In 2002, US and Canada agreed to sort out border issues 30 point accord heavy on technology including ITS But technology alone does not make the border smart It can enhance security by reducing identity fraud by help to sort and analyze traveler information And can improve traffic flow by linking data and pre-clearing travelers / cargo by managing congestion

29 Washington - British Columbia Region

30 Washington Borders Four Crossings at Wash./B.C. border Two can be used by trucks Operates as a system

31 And the Washington/B.C. Border has a Congestion Problem 4th busiest commercial crossing on border 1 million trucks crossed in million cars crossed in 2002 Delay costs millions per year Traffic has doubled since 1991 but staffing has not

ITS Solutions – Border Crossing Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS)

33 Background Traveler Information Needs: Pre-trip planning information Advance notification of crossing wait times Source: Bart Cima IBI

34 Pre-Trip Information Traffic Cameras Historical Wait Time Data Customs Reports

35 Peace Arch or Pacific Highway?, WA SURREY, BC ? ? Peace Arch Pacific Highway 99 Source: WCOG

36, WA SURREY, BC Peace Arch Pacific Highway PA….25 min PH….37 min PA….55 min PH….10 min Source: WCOG The ATIS Solution NB: Save 45 minutes at Pac Hwy. SB: Save 8 minutes at Peace Arch.

37 British Columbia Southbound ATIS Project Funds From Both Countries Measures Real- time Border Crossing Times Captures Video Images Message Signs, Telephone, & Internet

38 Southbound ATIS

39 Northbound ATIS Developed by WSDOT Project includes: –Web Site –Traffic Cameras –Highway Advisory Radio –Loop Detectors Border Agencies Interested in Data –Including Access to CCTV Cameras

40 Northbound ATIS

Improving Processing Time

42 ITS Approaches to Improve Processing Time Identification of lower-risk vehicles and shipments Make the data exchanges electronic (reduce paper transactions) Use inspection technology

ITS Solutions for Passenger Vehicles

44 License Plate Readers Electronic identification of license plates Automatic link to law enforcement databases Helps identify of vehicles of interest

45 License Plate Readers Uses optical character recognition and works at night Have difficulty reading some state’s plates, some fonts, and in some weather conditions Border traffic is slow speed so system works well Needs to tied to a database

46 NEXUS Program Passenger vehicles Smart card-based, bi-national travel program Pre-approved travelers can skip queues and access a dedicated commuter lane NEXUS26

47 Nexus Card Cost $50 (US) for approved individuals Proximity-based radio frequency card with chip and antenna Reader next to inspection booth Displays data and digital photo inside booth

Solutions for Freight Movement

49 The Trade Flow Source: Bart Cima IBI

50 Electronic Filing US Now Requires One Hour Notification Source: Bart Cima IBI

51 WSDOT In–Bond Project In-Bond Shipments –Transit shipments thru the US –Shipper posts a bond Tracks shipment from Ports of Seattle and Tacoma to border with Canada Uses Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) Technology –Vehicle Mounted Transponder (the CVISN Transponder) –Roadside Readers (at WIM sites and the borders)

52 Source: Bart Cima IBI In-Bond Project Transponder Source: Bart Cima IBI

53 Northbound In- Bond Process When truck exits port, the system alerts US Customs AVI readers at weigh stations provide en-route information AVI reader south of the border gives preview of in-bond status Automatically clears out the bond and marks the cargo as exported

54 In-Bond ITS Needs Border Infrastructure No advantages to transponder truck if stuck behind untagged trucks New Lane at Blaine will provide access for transponder equipped trucks

55 Risk Assessment Identification of Lower Risk Shipments A number of programs designed to reduce risk –Pre-arrival program for trusted truckers –Automated targeting systems –Electronic container seals Allow inspection agencies to focus on higher-risk traffic

56 Risk Assessment Source: Bart Cima IBI

57 Risk Assessment & Container Seals Standard “dumb” sealTransponder door seal

58 An eSeal that was tested in Washington Disposable transponder for container door 316 MHz (military frequency) Costs $5 to $40? Tamper indicator message Readable at 35 MPH Transmits unique ID number

59 Electronic Container Seals

60 Electronic Seal Functions Reusable or disposable Battery life Durability Cost Active or passive Frequency (no standard yet) Readable at freeway speeds Range Security

61 Example: How Electronic Seals Work In-transit containers of prohibited foods “lost” by US Department of Agriculture Seal track containers from Texas and Port of Tacoma to Canada Reader at border indicates when containers have left country

62 eSeal being Programmed

63 eSeal Installed

64 eSeal Readers at Border

65 Internet Backbone

66 Advantages of the Electronic Seals Electronic data reduces paper work, increase accuracy Security – more positive ID of container Track freight in ports and on highways Step towards tagging all containers Focus enforcement resources

67 Risk Assessment - FAST Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Program Pre-Screens –Commercial Drivers –Carriers –Shippers Transponder Issued to Trucks Smart Card to Drivers Requires Electronic Filing of Custom Forms Provides Dedicated Lane

68 Source: Bart Cima IBI FAST Transponder Source: Bart Cima IBI

69 FAST Proximity Card

Screening Technologies

71 Biometrics Fingerprint, iris scan, facial, hand geometry, speech recognition Expensive and requires large database Privacy concerns Slows border process – false positives Best used in indoor, controlled environment

72 The new VISIT Program uses Fingerprint Biometrics

73 Mobile VACIS Vehicle And Cargo Inspection System Truck Mounted Gamma Ray Mobile Scanning System Captures an Image of Contents Image Similar to an X-ray.

74 VACUS

75 Screening Technologies Computer tomography (CAT scan) x-ray scanning gamma-ray imaging (VACUS) neutron interrogation ultrasonic and thermal imaging Spectral analysis Others under development