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