TTI researchers evaluated contact-tracing apps, a commonly used practice to slow down the spread of COVID-19, with a focus on the El Paso-Juarez region. Taking advantage of mobile technology is expected to help in transitioning back to daily life while managing the risk of future outbreaks.
News
Balancing COVID Concerns with Economic Need: Reduced Mobility, Vaccination Are Key to Halting the (or Any) Pandemic
by Okan Gurbuz
Restricting travel has proven vital to stemming the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially early on. Less human contact in tight spaces means less exposure to the virus—that’s a given. But reduced contact also means reduced commerce, at least for businesses depending on in-person customers.
Contact Tracing to Minimize Infection, Maximize Mobility at the U.S.-Mexico Border
by Okan Gurbuz
With the recent introduction of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, opening the world back up to regular commerce and human interaction has once again become problematic. Although global vaccine distribution continues at a healthy pace, how quickly mask mandates are lifted and businesses are open continue to be regulated at the local level in the United States. This lack of a central controlling authority — and the reliable regulation of interactions such direction would facilitate — further complicate getting the COVID-19 pandemic under control.
Return on Investment: Transportation Projects Can More than Pay for Themselves in Benefits
Roads, bridges, bike lanes and other transportation infrastructure are not free. Even so, enhancing our transportation system with projects like these can save significant dollars in the long run. As a transportation economist, calculating the cost benefits of a proposed project is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.
Anticipating USMCA Impacts on Energy Trade and Border Crossing Logistics
The impact of the recent United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on the energy trade between the United States and Mexico—especially as it relates to transportation and logistics at border crossings—has not yet been fully measured. With so much at stake, understanding the potential impacts of this new agreement is crucial to both countries’ economies.
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New Report: Evaluation of Ambulance Cross Border Operations
Cross-border travel across the U.S.-Mexican border often experiences delays due to international security and customs concerns. However, medical emergencies require expedited travel through land ports of entry to save patients. Researchers examined potential strategies to expedite patient transfers and held a workshop to solicit input from stakeholders on the strategies.
New Report: Free and Secure Trade with Enhanced Reliability (FASTER)
Researcher identified traffic management strategies to improve crossing time reliability at commercial land ports of entry (LPOEs). They also successfully evaluated the strategies using two scenarios–an appointment scenario and a demand spreading scenario–using a microscopic traffic simulation model that the researchers developed for the Ysleta Zaragoza LPOE.
Understanding Transportation as a Disease Vector at the U.S.-Mexico Border
by Okan Gurbuz
In the past year, the world has undergone an immense transformation in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Complete lockdowns and curfews have been enacted and then lifted to balance mitigating the spread of the disease with keeping economies working. Although a lot is still unknown about COVID-19, one thing is certain: transportation is one way the disease is spread from place to place.
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New Report: Cross-Border Transportation as a Disease Vector in COVID-19
Understanding the relationship between cross-border transportation and the spread of infectious diseases is vitally important to mitigating the spread of future waves of COVID-19 or other pandemics. This study clearly shows the significant effect border crossings have regarding the spread of infectious diseases in their surrounding communities.
New Report: Potential Implications of USMCA on Energy and Transportation Sectors: Phase I
This research assessed the implications of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on energy trade between the United States and Mexico, as well as cross-border movements. Phase 1 presents a literature review to assess policy changes that could impact the energy trade between the two countries, collected the relevant data and developed a framework for scenario planning.