The Federal Highway (click here) Administration's Office of Freight Management and Operations, in cooperation with the Border Station Partnership Council (BSPC), has developed an analytical tool to assist in the coordination of improvements to border ports of entry. The Border Crossing Simulation Model (Border Wizard) is now in use. Border Wizard can simulate all federal inspection activities at any land border station to determine infrastructure, facility, and operational needs to ensure safe and secure operations. This article describes Border Wizard and its uses.
Back in 2001, that fateful year of LEGAL IMMIGRANTS that took flying lessons, the USA developed an analytical tool to determine how to best distribute border security assets. What does "Border Wizard" have to say about the southern border and it's function?
...In 2001, (click here) FHWA's Office of Freight Management and Operations, supported by Battelle and the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), undertook an on-site review of seven ports-of-entry that handle over 60 percent of U.S. truck trade among the three NAFTA nations. Linked with research now under way to simulate border-crossing activity using a model called "Border Wizard," these site reviews will enable FHWA to make informed recommendations about crossing improvements. The results also will help the agency to engage with other federal, state, and local jurisdictions in constructive dialogue about how, together, all can improve the performance, security, and mobility of commerce at these important international locations....
Just as a point of interest, the truck traffic coming north through the Ports of Entry has dropped significantly since 2017 because the number of trucks going south has dropped off significantly. There is no way for the products south of the USA border to come north if there aren't enough trucks going south to transport.
Who is bringing drug cratel members into the USA and are those trucks receiving programming by "Board Wizard" to allow easier passage of drug cartel members and products?
...Unfortunately, average travel time does not tell the whole story, as at several crossings, many trucks took significantly longer to transit the seven ports-of-entry. Hence, a 95th percentile time measurement also was calculated, providing information about the time that it took 95 percent of the surveyed trucks to travel the study distance. A comparison of average travel time with the 95th percentile time finds that a number of truck trips could in fact take far longer than the average. For example, while average travel time for all seven inbound crossings was 26.8 minutes, the 95th percentile time for these was over 70 minutes.
Not surprisingly, the number of inspection and processing booths open at each port-of-entry at any given time had a significant influence on the variability of travel time and delay. There was a definite relationship between the number of booths open, the travel demand, and the travel time through the crossing. Decisions on how many to open at any given time are apparently not made purely with mobility or crossing times in mind and are not always made by the transportation agencies.
Before September 11, 2001, U.S.-Canadian ports-of-entry generally processed inbound trucks with less delay, and with less variability, than did U.S.-Mexican ports-of-entry. Southern crossings generally handle more traffic, but with generally more variability across the day in the travel times required for crossing. (The exception to this pattern was the Blue Water Bridge port-of-entry at Port Huron, Michigan). As noted, concerns about drug traffic and illegal immigration apparently contribute to extended inspection times at the southern border. However, other influences on travel time and delay are less self- evident and may need further consideration. Procedures or policies that reduce time at the northern ports-of-entry might be exportable to the southern border....
Marijuana is more easily found crossing the USA southern border because it is shipped in large quantities, however, other drugs such as heroin are smuggled in with smaller qualities and are not necessarily found during inspections of trucks. Why hasn't the methodology changed to stop the heroine as well as marijuana?
Also, ending the shipments of marijuana into the USA is more important with the new development of legalized marijuana. Ulitmately, the cartels could impact the new burgeoning legalized businesses if illegal marijuana is within that market.
