This report analyzes the feasibility of co-locating federal and state inspections at Texas-Mexico border crossings and assesses the potential benefits in terms of improving the efficiency of carrier-motor-vehicle traffic flow. Findings indicate inspection rates rather than location most significantly impact crossing times.
News
It’s About Using Space Wisely: Cross-Border Trucks Face Different Challenges When It Comes to Parking
by Erik Vargas and Okan Gurbuz
In its 2020 Texas Statewide Truck Parking Study, the Texas Department of Transportation noted that trucks carrying 1.2 billion tons of freight worth $1.7 trillion each year in the Lone Star State. That means 140,000 trucks must park somewhere in the state every day for drivers to rest and sleep. Noted in the study, truck volume is expected to grow by some 80 percent by 2040, making today’s shortage of truck parking facilities a crisis down the road.
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New Report: Exploring Crowdsourced Big Data to Estimate Border Crossing Times
This report provides an in-depth assessment of market-available connected vehicle (CV) data (using Wejo datasets) to estimate border crossing times. Results indicate the Wejo CV data provide a promising source for monitoring border crossing times, especially as sample penetration rates improve.
The Right Tools for the Job: Predictive Planning for Transportation Infrastructure Can Save Lives
by Jeff Shelton
When extreme events occur, the transportation network is vital to relief and recovery. For example, when a hurricane makes landfall, getting citizens to safety—particularly from low-lying areas at risk for flooding—is top priority. But once the heavy rain is falling, what routes should they take? Which roads are most likely to flood? After how many inches of rainfall do we begin diverting traffic from Main Road A because it’s likely to flood in the next hour?
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New Video: Potential Benefits of E-Inspections
E-inspections of trucks offer an alternative to traditional weigh-station inspections, which require hands-on human interaction and delay drivers. Inspections can be automated to a great extent by leveraging technology without compromising safety, thereby achieving efficiencies and improving accuracy of inspection data. This video provides an overview of e-inspections, especially as they relate to cross-border freight traffic.
New Report: Economic Costs of Critical Infrastructure Failure in the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez Region
This report looks at the economic costs associated with the failure of the transportation infrastructure as a result of environmental catastrophe. Researchers modeled failure scenarios, developed a framework for assessing economic impacts, and studied ways to expedite mitigation strategies under the National Environmental Policy Act.
New Brochure: Evaluating Crowdsourced Data Sources for Cross-Border Travel
This brochure is aimed at acquainting individuals and agencies with the efficacy of various crowdsourced data resources available to help them evaluate cross-border travel, as well as these sources’ potential and limitations.
Keeping Ahead of the Curve: Mitigating Extreme Traffic Events with Advanced Technology
by Rafael Aldrete and Swapnil Samant
Transportation agencies are charged with the formidable task of keeping people and goods moving efficiently, reliably and safely. Sometimes, that’s not easy. When bad weather hits, for example, a transportation management agency’s limited resources and personnel are stretched thin by mass movements of cars and trucks stressing the local network.
New Report: Dynamic Travel Demand Management for Non-Recurring Extreme Events
This project developed a bi-national simulation-based model—particularly useful in accounting for time-dependent impacts, like those associated with infrastructure changes—of the El Paso–Juarez region. The model can help stakeholders evaluate the impact of cross-border traffic flow given extreme events, like earthquakes or hurricanes.
New Report: The Potential Role and Application of Emerging Data in a Border-Crossing Context
This study explored how crowdsourced data can be used to better understand cross-border trips and travel patterns. Transportation officials can use these results to develop robust, data-driven policies regarding cross-border trips that, in turn, should make for more efficient, safe, and secure travel.