transportation border working group membership survey hugh conroy and walter steeves in association...
TRANSCRIPT
Transportation Border Working Group
Membership Survey
Hugh Conroy and Walter Steeves in association with the TBWG Steering
Committee2008-11-19
Toronto
Background - Survey and Respondents
• Over the summer months (July – September 2008)
• 51 respondents
• 31 questions
• Survey Monkey web-based questionnaire
Discussion Plan
Points of consensus Issues needing more
discussionReach a conclusionRefer back to the
Steering Committee for a specific proposal
Other feedback & insights
1. TBWG focus & Action Plan
2. Meetings3. Participation &
Structure4. Subcommittees5. CommunicationReview of conclusions & next-steps
Respondent profile
Respondent Profile Respondent Profile
Have you ever attended a plenary?
•38 of 51 responded to the question
•82% said yes
•18% said no
Response Percent
Response Count
43.6% 1712.8% 55.1% 235.9% 142.6% 15.1% 2
Additional comments: 5answered question 39
skipped question 12
TBWG Membership Survey
Provincial Agency (Transportation / Safety Focus)
Answer Options
Municipal Agency
Federal Agency (Security / Customs / Trade / Safety
Responder Profile:
State Agency (Transportation / Safety Focus)
Federal Agency (Transportation / Infrastructure Focus)
Other
Respondent Profile Respondent Profile
Overall SatisfactionThe TBWG helps enhance “border-wide” bi-national planning, communication, and coordination on Canada-U.S. border and transportation infrastructure issues.
• 2% disagree
• 21% agree somewhat
• 68% agree
• 9% strongly agree Best Practices– Information sharing (i.e. online
compendium, ideas, (8)– Inter-agency communication
and coordination (6)– Plenaries and workshops (4)– Agency / Project updates (3)– Subcommittees (2)– Private sector panels (2)– Border Infrastructure Flow
Architecture work (2)– Border tours
Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan
Strategic Directions: Inter-agency Cooperation
Should enhancing inter-agency cooperation continue to be a priority?
• 5% agree somewhat• 46% agree• 49% strongly agree
Suggested strategies:• Data sharing• Joint data collection• Memorandum of Cooperation signed by member
agencies to institutionalize coordination (2)• Communicating with operating levels of member
agencies (2) • Document and assess mutual objectives and priorities• Ensure high-level Customs participation• Identify clearly what is wanted of each agency
Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan
Strategic Directions – Action Plan Priorities
Ranking of the TBWG Action Plan priorities:1. Enhancing Interagency Coordination2. Trade / Traffic Data SC Initiatives3. OBIC (Border Compendium)4. BIFA / Border Technology 5. Information clearinghouse (website)
Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan
How specifically could the TBWG best position itself to advance its Action Plan initiatives and to become increasing “action oriented”?
Suggestions:– Clear objectives (4)– Understanding of overarching policy drivers– Shorter / tighter action plan– Use consultants to facilitate and coordinate specific issues– Focus on issues rather than policy and oversight (2)– Increased commitment from members required– Market TBWG’s accomplishments to gain more support– Increase membership on subcommittees– Need stronger buy-in from member agencies– Advance planning studies
Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan
Holding two TBWG plenary meetings per year is the appropriate frequency
• 7% disagree; • 40% agree somewhat; • 35% agree; • 18% strongly agree
Alternative - One plenary per year and workshops
• 14% disagree; • 25% agree somewhat; • 44% agree; • 19% strongly agree
MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings
Two days per plenary?• 2% disagree• 7% agree somewhat• 75% agree• 16% strongly agree
Respondents said:• Depends on the content of each plenary• “I think two days works well.”• Depends on level of activities at
subcommittee level• “Much longer than 2 days is hard to get
away for and less than 2 days is hard to justify the travel.”
• Suggestions ranged from 1 day to 3 days.
MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings
Scope of Activities – Topics Covered
TBWG updates and presentations on significant issues affecting border management and cross-border transportation have been timely and useful.
– 2% disagree
– 26% agree somewhat
– 56% agree
– 16% strongly agree
MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings
Scope of Activities - Issues
Ranking of interest in continued coverage of topics
1. Updates on regional planning / border projects1. Border technology developments / border wait times2. U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and Enhanced
Drivers' Licenses (EDLs)2. Institutional change affecting border issues2. Initiatives designed to ensure secure and efficient flows at smaller
border crossings2. U.S. Surface Transportation Re-authorization / Canadian funding
programs3. Stakeholder dialogue sessions on specific topics3. U.S. Advance Notification / Automated Commercial Environment
(ACE) modernization3. Implementation of trusted traveler / shipper programs4. Motor carrier safety (e.g., hours of service)
MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings
Additional initiatives and issues of interest for presentation topics:
• Gateways and corridors• Port groups• Supply chains• Motor carrier safety (2)• Surface and intermodal security• Canada/U.S. border vs. European and Mexican/U.S.
borders• Testimonials from the private sector about the
success of border initiatives• Declining border traffic levels• Border wait time standards
MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings Scope of Activities – Topics Covered
Best locations:– Major cities (most
common answer)– Near airports– Near the border
MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings
My jurisdiction / agency would welcome a TBWG plenary:– 14% disagree– 23% agree somewhat– 54% agree– 9% strongly agree
The TBWG has engaged the appropriate players to make progress on its objectives / initiatives.
– 2% disagree
– 26% agree somewhat
– 63% agree
– 9% strongly agree
Participants & StructureParticipants & Structure Participants & StructureParticipants & Structure
Possible additional players:• Status quo (2)• Additional agencies / departments• Smaller states and provinces (5)• Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada• CBP and CBSA (3)• Various security agencies• State law enforcement• Private sector• Economic development agencies, chambers of
commerce (4)• Major freight providers (2)• University experts / researchers• Crossing operators and authorities (2)• Decision makers / politicians
Participants & StructureParticipants & Structure Participants & StructureParticipants & Structure
Border Infrastructure Coordination
The Online Border Infrastructure Compendium (OBIC) is an effective tool…– 41% agree somewhat– 46% agree– 13% strongly agree
Suggested additions to the OBIC:• Commercial vehicle inspection sites near crossings• Intermodal facilities (4)• Identify corridors (2)• Gateway strategy information• Modes at and near crossings • Spreadsheet format• Accuracy of data needs to be improved (i.e. counts, combined
trade data)• Public version of the OBIC• Element of proven border efficiencies
SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees
Technology
The Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA) is a useful tool…
– 4% disagree
– 43% agree somewhat
– 43% agree
– 10% strongly agree
SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees
Trade and Traffic
The Trade and Traffic Data Committee has made good progress in identifying common data needs and assessing effective data gathering and analysis:– 3% disagree;– 42% agree somewhat– 47% agree– 8% strongly agree
Other items to pursue:– Enhanced data collection at crossings (e.g. origin-destination
data) (2)– Review and standardization of border wait time methodologies– Data exchange among agencies– Data warehouse
SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees
The Policy Subcommittee addresses a distinct set of issues in a way that serves the interests of the full TBWG.– 6% disagree– 41% agree somewhat– 45% agree– 8% strongly agree
Other items to consider:• “State of the Northern Border” discussion paper• Better engage membership• Compare policies of U.S./Canada border with those of
U.S./Mexico and European contexts• Clarify mandate• Transport and border security• More updates from regional planning authorities• Prioritized list of research efforts• Standardizing border infrastructure for more seamless crossings
Policy SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees
General participation
I would be prepared to consider devoting more time to TBWG subcommittees:– 3% strongly disagree– 17% disagree– 44% agree somewhat– 31% agree– 5% strongly agree
Additional comments:– Workgroup objectives and outcomes must be
clear– Too busy (4)– Better scheduling of committee work required– Travel is a constraint
SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees
Website
The TBWG website provides an effective means of enhancing communications…
– 38% agree somewhat
– 49% agree
– 13% strongly agree
CommunicationsCommunicationsCommunicationsCommunications
Other Tools
Support for a newsletter– 2% strongly disagree– 20% disagree– 27% agree somewhat– 36% agree– 15% strongly agree
Other suggestions:– Interactive border map– Q & A section– Email updates / broadcasts (e.g. changes to the
website) (3)– Video teleconferencing– Webinars (e.g. Let’s Talk Borders)
CommunicationsCommunicationsCommunicationsCommunications
Summary
Points of Consensus
TBWG Focus & Action Plan:• Interagency co-operation & co-ordination – key role• Importance of Action Plan clarity & focus
TBWG Plenaries & Subcommittees:• Frequency: Two plenaries / year – two days / plenary• Location: Major cities (budgets, ease of travel)• Structure: Open working group meetings,
infrastructure / policy / program updates, private sector panel / presentation, security program updates
• Subcommittees: general support – additional participation limited by workloads & topics
Summary cont.
TBWG Communications: • Website: key information sharing tool – currency &
updates important – improvements?• OBIC: important tool – basic updates remain key --
potential upgrades
Suggestions & Additional Discussion:• TBWG newsletter• OBIC - public access component• Participation of smaller jurisdictions • Other topics – freight, environment, etc.