A research team developed an implementation plan for a web-based economic impact estimation dashboard. The dashboard uses real-time data on economic costs of border delays in the El Paso–Ciudad Juárez region. This study updates work conducted in 2009 and 2010 on this topic.
News
New Report: Exploration of Cross-Border Trip Characteristics Using Crowdsourced Data
This report explores cross-border trip characteristics using crowdsourced data, primarily focusing on INRIX data. The research team identified several cross-border travel patterns at El Paso–Ciudad Juárez land ports of entry and noted trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Report: Contact Tracing to Maintain Mobility at the Border during a Pandemic
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.
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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