ITS at Borders and Ports

Edward McCormack CEE 582

Ports

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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

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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

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Port Gate

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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

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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

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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

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ITS and Ports

• ITS can improve physical flows (trucks picking up and delivering cargo)

• ITS can improve information flows between truckers, shipper, terminal, etc

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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ATMIS

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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

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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?

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Borders and ITS

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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

TimeSource: Bart Cima IBI

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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

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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

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Complex Environment

Source: WCOG

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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

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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

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Washington - British

Columbia Region

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Washington Borders

• Four Crossings at Wash./B.C. border

• Two can be used by trucks

• Operates as a system

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And the Washington/B.C. Border has a Congestion

Problem• 4th busiest commercial crossing on

border• 1 million trucks crossed in 2002• 7 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)

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Background

Traveler Information Needs:

• Pre-trip planning information

• Advance notification of crossing wait times

Source: Bart Cima IBI

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Pre-Trip Information

• Traffic Cameras• Historical Wait Time Data• Customs Reports

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Peace Arch or Pacific Highway?

, WA

SURREY, BC

??

??

PeacePeace Arch Arch

Pacific Pacific HighwayHighway

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Source: WCOG

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, WA

SURREY, BC

PeacePeace Arch Arch

Pacific Pacific HighwayHighway

PA….25 minPH….37 min

PA….55 minPH….10 minSource: WCOG

The ATIS Solution

NB: Save 45 minutes at Pac Hwy.SB: Save 8 minutes at Peace Arch.

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British Columbia Southbound ATIS Project

• Funds From Both Countries

• Measures Real-time Border Crossing Times

• Captures Video Images

• Message Signs, Telephone, & Internet

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Southbound ATIS

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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

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Northbound ATIS

Improving Processing Time

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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

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License Plate Readers

• Electronic identification of license plates

• Automatic link to law enforcement databases

• Helps identify of vehicles of interest

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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

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NEXUS Program

• Passenger vehicles• Smart card-based,

bi-national travel program

• Pre-approved travelers can skip queues and access a dedicated commuter lane

1-866-NEXUS26

www.ccra.gc.ca/nexus

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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

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The Trade Flow

Cargo

Shipper

Customs Forms

Carrier

Border Inspection

Driver

Vehicle

Source: Bart Cima IBI

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Electronic Filing

Customs Forms

Cargo

ShipperCarrier

Border Inspection

Driver

Vehicle

Customs Systems

US Now Requires One Hour

Notification

Source: Bart Cima IBI

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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)

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Source: Bart Cima IBI

In-Bond Project

Cargo

ShipperCarrier

Border Inspection

Driver

Vehicle

Customs Systems

Transponder

Source: Bart Cima IBI

Source: Bart Cima IBI

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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

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In-Bond ITS Needs Border Infrastructure

• No advantages to transponder truck if stuck behind untagged trucks

• New Lane at Blainewill provide access for transponder equipped trucks

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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

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Risk Assessment

Cargo

ShipperCarrier

Border Inspection

Driver

Vehicle

Customs Systems Risk Assessment

E-Seal

Source: Bart Cima IBI

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Risk Assessment & Container Seals

Standard “dumb” seal

Transponder door seal

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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

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Electronic Container Seals

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Electronic Seal Functions

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

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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

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eSeal being Programmed

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eSeal Installed

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eSeal Readers at Border

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Internet Backbone

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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

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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

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Source: Bart Cima IBI

FAST

Cargo

ShipperCarrier

Border Inspection

Driver

Vehicle

Customs Systems Risk Assessment

Transponder FAST

Source: Bart Cima IBI

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FAST Proximity Card

Screening Technologies

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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

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The new VISIT Program uses Fingerprint

Biometrics

                                                                 

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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.

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VACUS

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Screening Technologies

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