JWC Meeting Minutes

XIII Meeting Minutes
Santa Fe, New Mexico
October 18-19, 2000

The meeting opened with the reading of a letter from Oscar de Buen to the JWC apologizing for not being able to participate as planned due to unforeseen circumstances in the change of administrations.

The previous meeting minutes were approved.

The status and progress of the following work plan lines of work were discussed:

Coordinated System for the Operation of Border Ports of Entry

Claude presented power point presentation on this topic.
Objective is to establish a system of coordination to binational operation susceptible to be applied

Phase I – Identify the problems of coordination and binational ports of entry & quantify the costs resulting from these problems

Deliverable: A mathematic model to quantify the costs for lack of coordination

Phase II - Development of a general system of coordination for the POES
Propose three alternatives

Deliverable: A report on pilot projects

Phase III -Evaluate the feasibility of implementing these alternatives. Have a pilot program

Phase IV -Propose a plan of action to apply the solution selected at other ports of entry

Leonora Rueda suggested that since the Border Governors requested that JWC study this item that updates to the Border Governors would be prudent. This would create a mechanism to receive feed back from the Governors. Under deliverables – JWC agreed to include verbiage on providing progress reports to the Border Governors on each phase and receive feedback on these reports (if applicable)

Al suggested that we send the JWC minutes to the Border Governors. Cindy agreed to send the minutes a standard way a doing business.

TX DOT is proposing that we do not move forward to phase III or IV unless the other phases have been agreed to by JWC.

There are many political barriers that may come up against implementation of recommendations.

Purpose of this study is not change missions of specific organizations. Please send TX DOT/ SCT your comments by November 10.

CA delegation stated that the document does not define phase III or IV. Deficiencies should be defined as transportation deficiencies. Local inspection agencies should provide input. A pilot study should be conducted in more than one location and more than one state.

Like governments, the JWC is the forum that will collect the efforts to direct and analyze the POE efficiency

A proposal was made to attempt to fold with the BSPC efforts with a simulation POE.

There was agreement in concept by the JWC for moving forward with this document.

Goal should be to increase transportation efficiency and enforcement effectiveness.

Transborder Corridor Planning

Freight Operations will be invited to speak at the next JWC meeting to present Freight Analysis Framework. Sylvia will e-mail the JWC members the web site containing the Freight Office information

The scope of work for this topic will be revised.

Innovative Financing

Objective one – US experiences could be beneficial to Mexico. This will benefit Mexico primarily
Irene- she sees two phases
1) Learning opportunity for Mexico
2) Once the projects are developed in Mexico, Mexico would like to get the JWC to help find funding for these projects. What is expected of the JWC in this phase?

Mechanisms that would give them access to these funds, it would help significantly.

Nadbank opportunities are limited to projects addressing environmental concerns for the BEC. These are only for loans.

Cindy Burbank- In reauthorization (TEA 21) we are beginning to think about more flexible alternatives or maybe transportation NADBANK. DOT will be doing outreach and we should schedule some meetings on this issue.

Cindy Burbank-Put this topic on the next JWC meeting and FHWA put this on the agenda. Arrange workshops on innovative financing.

Gary Gallegos- With corridor 2000 in Baja and the proposed crossing (Otay II). CA wants explore the possibility to develop a binational project.

Jill Hochman suggested that Border communities should consider submitting a joint application for the Section 1119. Work with the state to submit this to FHWA.

Texas has had success in the State Infrastructure Banks (SIB). It would be possible to use the SIB process to finance binational projects.

The question is can US monies be transferred to Mexican applications. There is point to be made that came up in some of the Southwest meeting that improvements at the border no matter what side of the border improved the whole community and improves the efficiency of the transportation system as a whole.

ITS statement of work

The actions of this statement of work have been completed. The next steps would be a train the trainer programs. So that the T squared center would be able to take this course further into Mexico. Claude Cortez stated that this course is good stepping stone to change attitudes and minds.

Cindy Burbank- Low hanging fruit. A term referring to taking advantage of opportunities for successful and easy implementation of ITS to promote ITS implementation through out the border area as well as Mexico.

Gary Gallegos- California has a 20-year ITS Strategic plan with MPO. This is a blue print that we can follow. It is included in the regional plans (financing pieces of this plan). CA- they would be willing to share this plan.

The following were the presentations given at the meeting:

North American Strategic Team (internal US DOT team) – Southern Border plan – Roger Petzold
Best Practices on the Border- Mike Smith SAIC.
SAIC has been contracted by FHWA to compile a guide of any « best practices » that can be shared along and across borders:
Asking for the following of the JWC?
Advise on approach
Contacts with individuals and organizations
Submission of best practices

Gary Gallegos suggested that the scope be expanded to all forms of travel not just freight traffic.

Camino Real Intermodal Center close to the existing Santa Teresa POE
Fred Friedman from the New Mexico Highway and Transportation Department (NMSH&TD)
This involves the proposed relocation of the railroad currently running through Juarez /El Paso through the Santa Teresa Area. Additionally, Federal Aviation Administration has committed to some improvements to the Santa Teresa Airport. Private sector support will be utilized to build the intermodal center itself. The NMH&TD committed to some infrastructure improvements to this facility.

ITS Application at the Columbia POE in the state of Nuevo Leon.
Claude Cortez gave an update.

Hidalgo County POE Case Study
James M. Sassin E.P. Hamilton & Associates

3rd fastest growing metro area in US.
Three POEs- Progreso, Pharr, & Hidalgo POEs
Info on the web site

Summary:
Growth forecasts are exceeding 1998 forecasts
More efficient when commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles and pedestrians are separated
Recommendations
Binational Planning processes
Crossing configurations
Toll collections (automated toll collection)
Inspection facilities (more space required)
Institutional Changes needed

Gary Gallegos stated that a Long Range Plan is necessary on the border. Although the BSPC is working on this, it will require a stronger transportation relationship. Also, there should be a fiscally restrained.

Model Border Crossing
Bill Stockton-Texas Transportation Institute

Purpose: develop a prototype border crossing design that:
Expedites passage of Commercial Vehicles
Maintains existing inspection capacity

Prototype being pursued is the TX Department of Public Safety compound would be external but adjacent to the Federal inspection compound.

Will include Electronic clearances as well as manual inspection.

The target application date is 10 years in the future (new POEs). The Anzalduaz POE would be a good candidate.

Review by FIS and GSA.
Prototype by December 2000.
Identify retrofit opportunities

POE Simulation Model
Phil Theis - Regal Decision Systems

Generic simulation model by June 2001

Pharr TX and Champlain NY are the pilot locations, will use data from them to validate with a model.

Generic model to be completed June 2001 and it will have ability to model entry lanes, show use of traffic control lights, pre-clearance truck processing center, cover pedestrians, cars, buses and trucks and will be able to restrict flows of traffic out of installation

Sample requirements: GSA- vehicle parking
FHWA – lanes entering and exiting maintaining acceptable LOS

Model examples of the Stanton Street Bridge in El Paso and the Peace Bridge in NY

Heavy Truck Use Tax
Carol Sheets of the Internal Revenue Service
The tax applies to trucks, truck tractors and buses having a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. Generally, the tax is $100 per year plus $22 per 1000 pounds or fraction thereof: The maximum tax is $550 for the year. Tax rates are reduced by 25% for logging and Mexican/Canadian registered vehicles.

Next Meeting
Chihuahua, Chihuahua Mexico in May.