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4.0 Trade-Off Matrix

The sensing technologies delineated in Table 1 that appear to meet the essential operational criteria of positive identification in a matched pair of collection points, time-stamping, and all-weather operation, are compared in Table 2. This assessment assumes that any of the technologies in Table 2 will perform technically in an acceptable manner and that software with which to calculate travel time can be developed (if it is not already in use for that purpose). The format is a stoplight chart that makes subjective judgments about how nearly the sensing technology meets the ideal.

A green circle indicates the best category of performance in a particular category. A red square may indicate the least amount of performance in that category or it may mean inability to perform in that category, depending on the context. Red, for example, does not indicate a show-stopping inability that would preclude the use of that particular technology but rather a relative perspective of how it compares to the other technologies compared to cost, convenience, or collateral features. Thus, some red in a given row does not signify that the technology cannot be expected to perform in that application. There is no technology listed in Table 2 that does not have some red. A yellow triangle signifies an intermediate position; for example, it may indicate progress toward meeting a need but something short of a mature technology for the application.

Table 2 therefore focuses more on practical aspects of a limited number of sensing technologies, any one of which should be able to perform the functions required. The comparison assumes that AVI technologies (e.g., smart cards with RF transponders) are not used with all vehicles. Likewise, not all drivers will be using their cell phones as they cross the border. As the Table 2 footnote 1 explains, two of the categories have no intermediate positions: a technology either fits the category or it doesn't.

Table 2. Summary Matrix of Candidate Sensing Technologies
Technology Geolocation/ Travel Time Accuracy % of Vehicles Recorded Cross-Border Installation Required[1] Mature Technology for Application Infrastructure Cost Total Hourly Count[2]
AVI Laser Best Performance Intermediate Performance Poor Performance Best Performance Best Performance Poor Performance
AVI RF tags Best Performance Intermediate Performance Poor Performance Best Performance Best Performance Poor Performance
AVI RF Smart Tags Best Performance Intermediate Performance Poor Performance Best Performance Best Performance Poor Performance
AVI Smart Cards with RF Transducers[3] Best Performance Intermediate Performance Poor Performance Best Performance Intermediate Performance Poor Performance
AVI IR Tags Best Performance Intermediate Performance Poor Performance Best Performance Best Performance Poor Performance
AVI Smart Cards with IR Transducers[3] Best Performance Intermediate Performance Poor Performance Best Performance Intermediate Performance Poor Performance
Common Inductive Loop Best Performance Best Performance Poor Performance Poor Performance Intermediate Performance Best Performance
Signature Inductive Sensors Best Performance Best Performance Poor Performance Poor Performance Intermediate Performance Best Performance
Mobile Phone Locating Poor Performance Poor Performance Best Performance Intermediate Performance Best Performance Poor Performance
License Plate Reader Best Performance Best Performance Poor Performance Best Performance Poor Performance Best Performance
Vehicle Matching System Best Performance Best Performance Poor Performance Best Performance Poor Performance Best Performance

Green Circle = Green (best performance)    Yellow Triangle = Yellow (intermediate)    Red Square = Red (poor)

1. Installation either required or not.
2. Technology either counts every vehicle or not.
3. This technology is in use at some border crossings for toll purposes.

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