JWC Meeting Minutes

Mexico, D.F., Mexico
July 9-11, 2003

For this meeting the delegations were as follows:

U.S. Delegation
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Jack Finglass, Keith Gates
General Services Administration (GSA) - Larry Warner
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) - Cindy Burbank, Jill Hochman, Fred Werner, Lisa Dye, Mike Onder, Roger Petzold,
Henry Nevares, Sylvia Grijalva, Don Martinez
US Department of State - Dennis Linksey (Washington), Brian Stickley (U.S. Embassy, Mexico)
Texas DOT (TxDOT) - Ed Wueste, Gus de la Rosa
New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Dept (NMSHTD) - Adrian Apodaca
New Mexico Border Authority - Jaime Campos, Jim Creek
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) - Sergio Pallares, Pedro Orso
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) - Dale Buskirk

Mexican Delegation
Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) - Enrique Escorza
Secretaria de Transporte y Comunicaciones (SCT) - Oscar de Buen, José San Martin, Juan José Erazo, Oscar Ringenbach, Miguel Angel Gutiérrez, Oscar Cruz, Venancio Pérez, Salvador Monroy, Héctor Duran
Instituto Mexicano de Transporte (IMT) - Octavio Rascon, Miguel Angel Backhoff, Roberto Aguerrebere, Jorge Acha, Ramón Cervantes, Cecilia Cuevas, Alejandro Rivera
Caminos y Puentes Federales (CAPUFE) - Carlos Thomas
Comisión de la Frontera Norte (CAFN) - Carlos Murillo, Fernando Robles
Comisión de Avaluos y Bienes Nacionales (CABIN) - Eduardo Alexander, Fidel Castañeda
Comisión Internacional de Limites y Aguas (CILA) - Armando Reyes
Instituto Nacional de Migración (INAMI) - Montserrat Iglesias
Aduana Mexicana - Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT) - Luis Fernández, José Luis Gómez, Carlos Morales
Gobierno del Estado de Baja California - Carlos López, Sergio Montes
Gobierno del Estado de Chihuahua - Joaquín Barrios
Gobierno del Estado de Coahuila - Jorge Viezca, Cesar Bermeasaldes
Gobierno de Nuevo León - Evaristo Gaytan
Gobierno del Estado de Tamaulipas - Ernesto Morris
Gobierno del Estado de Sonora - Ernesto Tapia

Consultants
Presenting:
Sourcepoint - Marney Cox
Center for Commercialization of ITS Technology, U.C. Berkeley - Hamed Benouar
New Mexico State University - Bob Czerniak and Matt Rich

In Attendance:
Juan Carlos Espinoza
Felipe Ochoa Associates - Reyes Juarez
Nancy Leon

Welcome and Introductions
Oscar de Buen and Cindy Burbank

Approval of minutes from Baltimore, 2002 meeting

SAFETEA Reauthorization
Jill Hochman - FHWA
Presentation about proposed reauthorization discussed changes in legislation that may be pertinent to the JWC and for border projects in general. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Act (SAFETEA) has new requirements, different matching arrangements and different criteria for eligibility. The Corridor program will be limited to planning projects only. The Border program will be available for operations, technology and planning and will emphasize safety and multimodal projects. Some funding may be available for expense in Mexico and Canada. Money will also be able to be transferred directly to GSA. Multi-state, multi-jurisdictional cooperation is encouraged and endorsement by a binational established group is required for planning aspects of the new legislation.

Mike Onder - FHWA
Presentation on freight aspects of new act discussed inclusion of "gateways" (land, sea and air Ports of Entry (POEs)) previously identified as important for international trade. A training program will be included.

Discussion
When will law be approved? It is due by 9/30/2003 but it is likely that it won't be complete until the beginning of the year, 2004. FHWA, via the Border Technology Exchange Program (BTEP) could help with training. Will role of JWC/CCT change due to new legislation? Role should remain the same even though legislation does not specifically list JWC/CCT.

Mexican Border Wizard
Oscar Ringenbach - SCT
SCT has been selected as the lead agency to develop the Mexican Border Wizard. Recent developments include:

• Approval of the Terms of Reference to develop a Mexican Border Wizard
• Funding approved through the U.S. Embassy - $830,000
• Selection of POEs to be modeled
  • Colombia (Laredo)
  • Puerta Mexico/San Ysidro
  • Otay Mesa
  • Mexicali I/Calexico
  • Cordova/Las Americas (El Paso)
  • Zaragoza/Ysleta
  • Nogales/Mariposa
  • Nuevo Laredo I/Laredo I
  • Nuevo Laredo II/Laredo II
  • Nuevo Laredo III/Laredo IV
  • Reynosa I-II/Hidalgo
  • Piedras Negras II/Eagle Pass II
  • Ciudad Acuña/Del Rio
  • Suchiate II/Cd. Hidalgo
  • (Mexico's southern border)
  • Jeronimo/Santa Teresa
  • Mexicali II/Calexico West
  • Nogales
  • Reynosa-Pharr
  • Camargo/Rio Grande City
  • Matamoros/Los Tomates
  • Matamoros/Brownsville (B & M)
• SCT working with SAT to develop POE capacity norms
• SCT coordinating a work group with CABIN, SAT, SEGOB, IMT and the Sectretaria de Agricultura, Ganaderia, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentacion (SAGARPA)
• SCT working to develop a contract with Regal Decision Systems

Applications of the project could be used for work in the bottleneck study, to simulate operations of a binational POE, to model a system of POEs on a regional or citywide basis, and to analyze binational corridors.

Brian Stickney - U.S. Embassy
Effort was funded for use with the 22-point action plan and will be provided via GSA funding. Twenty ports were selected because they were deemed a sufficient number for a first start. Should other POEs need to be modeled, additional funding should be available.

Discussion
How will model work for cities/regions? Immediate application will be at POE only, but this tool is expected to be expanded for work with other applications and models. A conference is scheduled for U.S. DOT and regional representatives next week in Baltimore to discuss interoperability. Commitment- The results from this conference will be shared with the Mexican Delegation.

SENTRI Projects in Mexico
Miguel Angel Gutierrez - SCT
SCT is coordinating with the US Embassy on studies to determine the feasibility and demand for SENTRI systems at various different ports of entry: Puerta Mexico/San Ysidro, Mexicali, Nogales, B & M, Juarez and Nuevo Laredo. Upcoming steps include: finishing the terms of reference for the studies, developing a binational instrumentation plan, and developing terms of reference for the construction of the new lanes. All the studies should be done in a few months.

Brian Stickney - U.S. Embassy
Due to funding restrictions on funds that came from the 22-point action plan, funding had to go directly to a Mexican agency, hence SCT. The project consists mainly of user assessments and engineering feasibility studies, construction/infrastructure is actually a small part of the contract. The DOS may look to FHWA/GSA for additional funding.

Discussion
Has coordination been made with DHS for manpower at the SENTRI lanes? Is SCT aware of DHS schedule and plans for SENTRI lanes? Miguel Angel Gutierrez will contact John Wagner of DHS, BCBP to ensure that projects are coordinated. Several attendees expressed satisfaction with the existing SENTRI program and operation. SENTRI affects operations of the whole POE and plans need to be inclusive with CABIN and SAT as well as with the external agencies. SCT plans to coordinate with CABIN and SAT.

U.S. - Mexico Border Partnership 22-Point Action Plan
Dennis Linksey -US State Department
Enrique Escorza - Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores

In general, discussion of the 22-point plan is daunting. Due to the sheer volume of projects and coordination efforts it is difficult to point to advances, but both countries are working well together, most especially DHS, Customs Border Protection and Mexican Aduana. Most of the items of specific coincidence reside under the secure infrastructure focus. Several of these were discussed briefly.

#1 - Long Term Planning - The strategic plan as originally conceived has not worked, due to problems with funding streams and due to the fact that funds must be spent in the law enforcement arena. The idea was to complete a binational review on how groups interact - information flow, architecture, with a study of vertical hierarchy from federal to municipal levels. DOS continues to work to frame the study so that it will fit funding and eligibility requirements. Progress has been made with activities of the JWC - coordinated POE study and BINS, activities at U.S. national level, with the Border Wizard, and with joint FHWA/GSA planning.

#2 - Relief of Bottlenecks - The JWC is coordinating with Caltrans on their study. DOS has also established a subgroup on this topic via the BBBXG.

#3 - Infrastructure Protection - DOS working with CISEN on developing plans for inventorying the telecommunications, water, energy, food and agriculture, public health, transportation and security networks. They have 12-month plans for this work.

#4 - Harmonization - progress has been made in hours of operation, radio frequencies etc.

#5 - Demonstration Project - BCBP has a demonstration running at El Paso (FAST) this project will be expanded to 6 other ports (Otay Mesa, Calexico, Nogales, Laredo, Pharr and Brownsville) by January 2004. The project allows for electronic recognition of the driver, truck and shipment. The Otay Mesa Demonstration project being conducted by Caltrans could also provide input to this action item.

#7 - Financing Projects at the Border - DOS relying on JWC to work on the topic.

Discussion
The CILA representative expressed interest in working on the transportation subgroup for point #3 - Harmonization. (They are already a part of the water/dam infrastructure subgroup) It is not entirely clear if a transportation subgroup is working. Commitment. The JWC will follow up with a consideration to form a working group to specifically address transportation infrastructure.

Partnership for Prosperity
Jose San Martin - SCT
Transportation and logistics coordination are critical for both the United States and Mexico. Emerging economies have the highest growth rates in international trade. While the rate has leveled off for Mexico in the last three years, international trade is still 50% of the GDP and growth is expected at a rate of 5.4% per year. Eighty percent by value of this trade is with the United States. Critical to this trade is efficiency at POEs, including security, increased trade flows and productivity and competitiveness. Trade can be optimized via policy, institutional agreements, and binational strategies. While various groups are working in this area it is imperative to realize the importance of trade and continue to work to facilitate the safe and efficient flow of goods. For an excellent description of the structure of binational groups and the ways they affect trade, please see the handout.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Border Architecture
Oscar Cruz - SCT
ITS is needed to save lives, reduce accidents, save time and reduce costs. Many applications of ITS are pertinent in Mexico including: assistance to drivers, collective transport, variable message signs, control of transit via a synchronized network, license plate readers, etc. Mexico can draw upon architectures from the United States, Canada, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and from within the U.S.-Mexico border region. SCT is currently working with the Trade Development Agency on feasibility studies and on arranging financing to develop a compatible ITS architecture in Mexico. An ITS database will be developed, used with available hardware/software/evaluation methodologies to provide information to improve the existing system. This project is a joint effort between SCT, private transportation parties, business, telecommunications and service providers. Such a system will increase security, optimize operations, save lives, reduce accidents, and collect and distribute information related to transportation.

Mike Onder - FHWA
FHWA and SCT are working together to avoid having "islands of connectivity" The border infrastructure as planned will improve connectivity between U.S. ITS architecture and the proposed Mexican ITS architecture. It is also suggested that SCT work with DHS and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

GSA/CABIN Projects with Impacts on the Transportation System
Larry Warner-GSA
The following projects have transportation impacts/issues as outlined:

• San Ysidro/Virginia Ave/El Chaparral - EIS underway (complete 2004) GSA to start construction in 2006 with estimated completion 2010. The terminus of I-5 must be rerouted; crossing point moved to Virginia Ave/El Chaparral. CABIN considers this a midterm project and the required studies have not started yet on reordering the Puerta Mexico POE.
• Tecate - The truck traffic exit/entrance will be changed. Construction will begin 2003 and end in 2005. There is a need to construct an access road in the U.S. between the U.S. Facility and the Mexican facility.
• Calexico West - There is a proposal to move northbound traffic to the west side of the tracks and expand/replace the Calexico border station. Impacts would result in both Mexicali and Calexico. An environmental study will be under way soon(2003-2004) to evaluate the alternatives in the U.S. Feasibility Study (completed). Design will be completed in 2006. Construction is to begin 2008 and to be completed 2-3 years after that. Issues remain on the timing of the expansion at the facility and the alignment between the two facilities
• Andrade - An environmental study will be completed 2003-2005, with design scheduled for 2005 and construction for 2007. At present, discussions are occurring about whether to change the crossing point to a location on the nearby peninsula, expand existing crossing or add another crossing in Arizona.
• San Luis II/San Luis Rio Colorado II - Environmental Assessment to move commercial crossing to new facility east of the POE near the existing cattle crossing is complete. A feasibility study will be conducted 2003-2004. The project is being proposed as Design/Build for 2006 (18 month construction timetable). Current issue is timing of Mexican facility.
• Columbus/Palomas - Crossing point of the new inbound and outbound truck roads still remains an issue. Timing of Mexican facility also unknown.
• Guadalupe/Tornillo - Promoters in U.S. are planning on a FY 2004 construction start date for the bridge. Need to know Mexican position on this crossing. The U.S. is not planning to begin funding acquisition on this bridge until after the Presidential Permit and appropriate diplomatic note are received.
• Anzalduas/Reynosa - A request has been submitted to DOS seeking to amend the presidential permit allowing commercial traffic. GSA will need a diplomatic note from Mexico indicating its commitment to the project before a 2004 non-commercial project will be funded.
• Donna/Rio Bravo - Promoter for this bridge has a presidential permit from 1979 but has never acted on it. Now interest in a new bridge has arisen here at this location. However, additional cross-border capacity has been introduced in this region since the permit was originally assigned. Need to know Mexico's position on this proposed crossing.

Discussion
Regarding Guadalupe/Tornillo there is no land for the crossing on the Mexican side, once the land acquisition is settled, scheduling for the bridge can proceed. Design studies for the bridge structure itself have advanced, but nothing will be done on the facility until land is ready. The State of Chihuahua expects to have the land by October 2003. A meeting is scheduled for the week of July 14, 2003 to define the program on this bridge and to define where and how the facility will be built. Regarding Donna/Rio Bravo, SCT is checking on the necessity of a new bridge in this location, due to the added capacity. Unless a study is completed showing that the bridge is necessary, SCT is reluctant to move ahead. Additionally, Pharr is asking for a second bridge, which would add yet more available capacity to the Rio Grande Valley region. The State of Tamaulipas is concerned about the building of so many bridges in the valley without a regional study. This concern re-raised the issue of viewing crossings as regional systems, and the need to study petitions for new crossings as well as expansions of bridges in a regional context. Further study on this issue could be included in future JWC work plans.

Eisenhower Scholarship
FHWA is looking for a student to apply for this grant program to be trained in GIS and to work on the Border GIS (BGIS) project. The length of the program is from 6-18 months and includes a stipend ($1450/month for undergraduates, $1700/month for Masters' degree candidates and $2000/month for Ph. D. candidates). Eligible students are those that are within their Junior or Senior year of undergraduate school or are in a Masters', Ph.D. or equivalent degree program. FHWA is soliciting help from the SCT and/or the Mexican State Departments of Transportation in finding a candidate.

Border Technology Exchange Program
Ramon Cervantes - IMT
IMT is developing a program with Mexican universities that consists of a centralized structure at IMT with computers, information and training from IMT. The universities can access this data and become part of a big training and information dissemination structure. Four northern Border State Universities are currently participating in this program, UAT, UANL, UACH and UAC. Information about this program is available from the IMT website http://www.imt.mx.

Henry Nevares - FHWA
The BTEP program has 5 main goals: to create a permanent technology exchange process, to increase institutional, technical and legal compatibility and understanding, to improve transportation systems in the border region, to enhance professional and cultural understanding, and to strengthen professional and technical capabilities. This is carried out via training, programs and the establishment of technology transfer (T2) centers.

• The FHWA is reviewing the proposed work plans from California, Arizona and Texas and hopes to authorize funding in early July. (New Mexico is not seeking 2003 funding.)
• FHWA in coordination with CALTRANS and Baja California representatives met in Mexicali on June 11, 2003 and are developing a Letter of Intent to establish a technology transfer center.
• Arizona is planning to undertake training with Sonora on safety conscious planning. Also in Sonora, a Letter of Intent to cooperate in technology exchange was signed June 12, 2003, with a cooperative agreement to be executed shortly.
• FHWA is working with Coahuila in writing a cooperative agreement to establish a technology transfer center at the University of Coahuila in cooperation with our partners.
• TxDOT is coordinating with Tamaulipas officials after a recent reorganization at the University in order to move ahead with a cooperative agreement with the University of Tamaulipas. Once this coordination is further developed, FHWA plans to travel to Tamaulipas to discuss future steps.
• A meeting of the border technology exchange partners was held in March in Monterrey. All the Border States except for Arizona and Tamaulipas participated. It was beneficial for all partners to learn of each other's activities and cooperate closer. The participants asked that a meeting be scheduled for them to come together again this fall, this meeting is being coordinated.
• FHWA has a Letter of Intent with officials in Chihuahua and a Cooperative Agreement with the University of Chihuahua to cooperate in undertaking technology exchange activities. The FHWA is reviewing the proposed work plan and hopes to authorize $15,000 for 2003 in early July.
• FHWA has a Letter of Intent with officials in Nuevo Leon and a Cooperative Agreement with the University of Nuevo Leon to cooperate in undertaking technology exchange activities. The FHWA is reviewing the proposed work plan and hopes to authorize $15,000 for 2003 in early July.
• FHWA with the National Highway Institute is working to hold Instructor Development Training for our Mexican counterparts. It is believed that this training will be beneficial in undertaking our technology exchange activities. The training is to take place in August in Hermosillo, Sonora.

Participating States then had an opportunity to discuss the program.

• California expressed its success with personnel exchange, implementation of GIS in Tijuana, and support for a T2 center in Mexicali.
• Baja California expressed its pleasure with the amount of support for the T2 center in Mexicali from many different groups.
• Arizona was pleased with the institutionalization of the BTEP program through the establishment of T2 centers, and discussed the success of the Arizona-Sonora GIS mapping project. Sonora expressed appreciation for equipment obtained through the BTEP program.
• New Mexico discussed personnel exchange, GIS equipment and training opportunities, and the development of a binational transportation plan for Santa Teresa that will combine both of these successful aspects of their program.
• Chihuahua expressed its success with personnel exchange.
• Nuevo Leon expressed its success with training.
• Both Texas and Tamaulipas discussed working together to build stronger ties and a stronger program between those two states.

Discussion
Due to the fact that the BTEP program has been successful for many states and has increased partnership and technology growth. Commitment - The JWC should organize a seminar/conference in honor of the 10th anniversary of the JWC in the upcoming year that will focus on the exchange of ideas, information, dissemination of program information to date, and on developing a new platform to improve the efficiency of technology transfer in the future.

Work Plan 2001-2003
Border Infrastructure Needs Assessment (BINS)
Marney Cox- Sourcepoint
The results were presented and an executive summary of the study to date was distributed. Using the criteria and procedure to select transportation corridors as approved by the BINS technical committee, each of the 10 Border States has selected corridors to be evaluated in the study. The corridors range widely in ADT, size, length and number by state. Some concern was raised over the variety of interpretations of the criteria and procedure and additional criteria, including safety and the environment were raised as criteria of concern. Other concerns, such as a better definition between feeder routes vs. actual corridors were raised. Agreement -The JWC was asked to vote on two resolutions: to approve the Border Corridor Evaluation Methodology and to approve the Border Corridor Selection Criteria, which they approved. In addition, the JWC agreed to an additional resolution as stated "Be it resolved that the JWC enhances the methodology used by the BINS through the addition of safety and environmental criteria, and more restrictive criteria including whether a corridor is binational, in subsequent phases of BINS. Be it further resolved that the first step will be to convene, under the auspices of the JWC, a binational transportation safety conscious planning conference."

Transportation Regional Analysis of GIS Application at the Border
Jorge Acha - IMT
This project looks at GIS integration at the border in terms of operation, transportation infrastructure, and roadway conditions. Information is usually missing on the Mexican side, but this just highlights the need for the system. The project will have a binational focus, with roadway information, POE information and urban area information gathered together in one place. A pilot project is planned for Laredo/Nuevo Laredo to evaluate the technical and institutional challenges to integrate GIS information. They have collected information to date from the federal government and are looking now to collect information at the state and local levels. The biggest challenges to the project so far have been institutional. Once the pilot is complete, it can be built upon as a background for future efforts.

U.S./Mexico Intermodal Transportation (and its effects on the POEs)
Roberto Aguerrebere - IMT
IMT has conducted a study on existing trade trends and the probability to switch some trade from truck to containerized freight. The study looks at intermodal possibilities by state as well as future projections. It looks at costs, flows, and potential flows based on a number of criteria such as distance, volume, economic density, lack of accessibility, tolls, frequency, time value etc. According to the study 7.6% of the existing goods transported by truck could be switched to containerized rail. During discussion on the topic, Carlos Murillo of CAFN emphasized the importance of increasing competitiveness on the northern border. He suggested that further studies that IMT conducts on the subject look at alliances with the maquiladora industries and on logistics for this industry.

July 11, 2003
Joint Working Committee Meeting

U.S. VISIT Program
Jack Finglass - DHS
Jack Finglass read a statement about the U.S. VISIT program (formerly known as the Entry/Exit Program). DHS is still working on finalizing a lot of details on the program, but it is moving forward.

Work Plan 2003-2005
Innovative Financing
Fred Werner - FHWA
Based on the action item from the previous JWC meeting, the Innovative Financing committee has come up with evaluation criteria for selecting a pilot project or various pilot projects for innovative financing. The criteria are based on a 110-point system, assigning points for readiness factors, merit factors, financial factors and discretionary factors. Ratings are based on project progress to date and on documentation obtained. The committee also listed a summary of financing options available for the pilots. Agreement The JWC accepted the Evaluation Factors (section criteria) developed by the team. Commitments The JWC further decided to choose a subgroup to select pilot project(s) using the evaluation factors for selection criteria (accepted by the JWC). The subgroup will select the project(s) in approximately a month's time from the date of the JWC meeting in Mexico City. In further actions, once pilot project(s) are selected, the corresponding state(s) where the projects are located will be required to participate with the subgroup. Finance plan(s) will be developed for the project(s) selected. Technical assistance will be utilized via appropriate sources. Some potential projects discussed were Anzalduas, the Tecate commercial access route, and the Mexicali bypass.

Fernando Robles - CAFN
CAFN is also looking into financing options, but mainly in Mexico. Study has concentrated on how much money is programmed for various projects and how much money is necessary to complete the program for all different kinds of necessary infrastructure at the border region, not just limited to transportation infrastructure.

Identification of Bottlenecks at the Border
Sergio Pallares- Caltrans
This project looks specifically at localized traffic and transportation problems immediately adjacent to and between the Ports of Entry. Caltrans made a presentation outlining the purpose need and background of the project, explaining the proposed methodology and identifying product tasks. The study follows from the basic assumption that to avoid bottlenecks the flow entering the system must be balanced to the flow existing the system. Through conducting surveys at various points in the commercial import and export process (both northbound and southbound) and the entry and exit of passenger vehicles (both northbound and southbound) imbalances in the system can be identified. Agreement-The JWC accepted the scope of work for the project. Discussion was also raised about looking at the cost incurred due to bottlenecks. The JWC agreed that this is a valid interest and suggested its inclusion in further phases of the Bottleneck Study.

Work Plan 2001-2003
Binational Geographic Information System (BGIS) I

Work Plan 2003-2005
Binational Geographic Information System (BGIS) II

Bob Czerniak - New Mexico State University (NMSU)
The responsibility of this project has shifted from Caltrans to New Mexico DOT, who has contracted with New Mexico State University to complete the work. Mapping is complete between New Mexico and Chihuahua and NMSU is evaluating the data received from Caltrans. The most important thing in the coordination of the data is that the data is matching. It has to line up spatially without gaps or mistakes, and it has to coincide in the type of data that is displayed. The data will be completely bilingual for ease of use on both sides and will be Internet based. GIS will be used for POE development, port planning and as a link to the BINS project. The GIS is not limited to just transportation data, but can also include environmental features, socio-economic factors and other data elements.

Juan Jose Erazo - SCT
In Mexico, some data exists but the states and SCT are working to coordinate the data and data collection better. SCT is working on developing a formal mechanism with all involved actors to work binationally, to join BGIS with SCT centers along the border and then to exchange GIS information learned through coursework and training. Chihuahua will be the first SCT Center to be joined into the system.

Miguel Angel Backhoff - IMT
IMT has information to share with NMSU and is working with SCT to provide training and courses to interested parties.

Discussion of this topic brought volunteers for additional help from the State of Chihuahua, who agreed to share information that they have already gathered with NMSU, from the State of Nuevo Leon who offered to help host training courses via the Technology Transfer Center at UANL, and thanks from NMDOT for all the help so that duplication of effort is avoided.

Port of Entry Coordination, Pilot
Juan Jose Erazo- SCT
The U.S. Mexico border carries 36.4% of the worldwide GNP. Lack of coordination affects economic capacity. The POE coordination project has been developed in four phases. The first phase identifies problems, the second develops plan alternatives, the third selects pilot applications of the alternatives and the fourth applies the successful results. Two pilot studies were conducted at Otay Mesa in the Tijuana/San Diego region and at Puente Cordoba in the Juarez/El Paso region. Many different agencies, including: SECODAM, SAGARPA, Maquiladora Associations etc, participated in the pilot. A list of actions was developed to improve coordination and then the actions were ranked in order of effectiveness. Some of the actions were then applied to the pilot locations.

Ed Wueste - TxDOT
The U.S. team is ready to begin Phase 3. The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) will carry out this phase of the project at El Paso-Juarez. Funds have been distributed to TxDOT and Chuck Berry, the new District Engineer in El Paso has been selected to work with TTI on this project.

Carlos Murillo from CAFN indicated that CAFN has carried out studies that would be helpful for implementation of the Phase 4 work being carried out by SCT, and has offered their assistance with this.

Otay Mesa ITS Project
Hamed Benouar- Center for Commercialization for ITS Technology-U.C. Berkeley The purpose of the project was to test existing technology in applications at Otay Mesa to improve the flow of commercial traffic. The study looked at technical communication, physical infrastructure and institutional coordination. At this point, a preliminary functional specification, an estimated cost of deploying certain ITS elements, and a plan of action to continue have been developed.

Approval of 2003-2005 Work Plan
The JWC approved the work plan items for 2003-2005.

Summary of Commitments and Agreements
Sylvia Grijalva and Oscar Ringenbach listed the commitments and agreements reached at the meeting. The JWC agreed with the Commitments and Agreements as read.

Other Decisions
A Resolution was written for Ed Wueste, TxDOT thanking him for his service with the JWC and granting him permission to return in the future. Thanks were given for service to Evaristo Gaytan, from Sistema de Caminos de Nuevo Leon and Ernesto Tapia, from Sonora's Secretaria de Infraestructura Urbana y Ecologia, who are facing changes in their respective states.

Next Meeting proposed in San Antonio, Texas, January 2004