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Evaluation of Travel Time Methods to Support Mobility Performance Monitoring:
World Trade Bridge (Page 2 of 5)

Data Collection Process

For this study, two data collection locations were used in each direction. The "number 1" locations were located to the north or south of where the truck cues were anticipated to form due to backups at the primary Customs location or export booths. The "number 2" location was immediately after the primary inspection booths. For consistency among all border crossings visited for the overall project, the data collection positions were distinguished by whether they were leaving the United States (outbound) or entering the United States (inbound). For the Laredo border crossing, outbound was designated as southbound indicating that the trucks were traveling into Mexico. Inbound was designated as northbound indicating that the trucks were traveling into the United States.

Each data collector would use a handheld computer to record partial license plate information of all commercial vehicles that passed their location. The computer would also store the time that each license plate was entered. The data from the two locations in each direction would be combined, allowing the determination of the travel time for each vehicle that was recorded at both locations.

For the data collection, the on-site team included four data collectors and two supervisors. Thus, three team members were located in each country. The hours during which data were collected were selected to encompass the greatest number of daylight hours after the 8:00 AM World Trade Bridge opening. They were selected from discussions with knowledgeable officials. Table 2 shows the data collection hours for each day during the site visit. Data collection extended about 10 hours and included the periods when the supervisor collected data during break periods and the meal period.

Figure 3 shows the Laredo, Texas portion of the World Trade Complex. The data collection points are marked on the map. OB-1 is the location of the data collector recording data on trucks moving into Mexico. OB-1A is the location that the collector moved to when there was a backup from the Mexican side. IB-2 is the data collection location for trucks coming from Mexico and leaving the U.S. Primary Customs booths.

On the Mexican side of the border, trucks approach the World Trade Bridge on a divided highway with two lanes in each direction. The inbound trucks pass through the export booths of the Douanas (Customs). A small percentage of trucks may be stopped for an additional export inspection but the great majority proceeds through the bridge tollbooths across the bridge to the U.S. side of the border. Trucks moving south into Mexico pass the primary import booths, a small fraction are diverted through an import inspection area then all trucks pass through a secondary inspection booth before preceding on to the divided highway. Figure 4 shows the location of the data collection points for both the inbound and outbound directions. The IB-1 location was located at the point where the trucks turned to head to the export booths. The OB-2 location was established to provide the best view of the front of the trucks as they passed through the Mexican Customs import booths. Figures 5 through 9 show pertinent views of the U.S. and Mexican sides of the World Trade Bridge.

For both directions in Mexico, there was a special lane for empty vehicles. These included both bobtails and tractors pulling empty trailers. The study team hypothesized that travel times could differ between empty and full vehicles. Consequently the characters SC (Sin Carga) were included to denote empty vehicles and to enable comparisons of travel delay times between the loaded and unloaded trucks.

This figure shows the Laredo, Texas, portion of the World Trade Bridge complex. Station OB-1 is shown for outbound traffic moving into Mexico. Station OB-1A is shown for an alternate outbound traffic collector. Station IB-2 is for inbound traffic coming from Mexico and leaving the U.S. Primary Customs booths.
Figure 3. Laredo, Texas Layout and Data Collection Locations

This figure shows the Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, portion of the complex. Station IB-1 is shown for inbound traffic before final inspection booths. Station OB-2 is shown beyond the primary inspection booths. The toll plaza, commercial docks, and secondary inspection booths also are shown.
Figure 4. Nuevo Laredo Layout and Data Collection Locations

Photo of outbound toll booths at the World Trade Bridge.
Figure 5. Outbound Toll Booths at the World Trade Bridge

Photo of primary customs area, showing vehicles in the inspection booths.
Figure 6. Primary Customs Viewed from the IB-2 Data Collection Location

Photo of inbound access booths in Nuevo Laredo, showing vehicles in the inspection booths.
Figure 7. Inbound Access Booths (Export Booths) in Nuevo Laredo

Photo of access road leading to World Trade Bridge, with the bridge in the background.
Figure 8. Access Road Approaching the World Trade Bridge in Nuevo Laredo

Photo of outbound import booths in Nuevo Laredo, showing a side view of a truck exiting the booths.
Figure 9. Outbound Import Booths in Nuevo Laredo

Table 2. Hours of Data Collection
Date Start End
10/30/01 8:30 am 7:00 pm
10/31/01 8:30 am 7:00 pm
11/01/01 8:30 am 7:00 pm

The arrangements that led to the data collection activities required a considerable number of phone calls, e-mail correspondence, and a site visit. A meeting was held at Laredo, Texas in June 2001 with representatives of Mexican and U.S. Immigration, U.S. Customs, the City of Laredo, the Mexican and American Consuls, and Battelle. In addition, the Battelle representative toured the border area and potential data collection sites with local officials. Table 3 contains a list of those who attended the initial truck travel time delay orientation meeting.

Table 4 contains a list of the key individuals in Mexico who were contacted and their telephone and e-mail information. A separate table is included for contacts in Mexico and the United States. Table 5 includes information on contacts in the United States.

Table 3. June 2001 Meeting Agency Contacts - Laredo Border Crossing Coordination Meeting Attendees
Contact Agency
Daniel Hernandez Joseph Mexican Consul, Laredo
Thomas Hart Ambruster American Consul, Nuevo Laredo
Gabriel Cortes Sanchez Mexican Immigration
Jose Escamilla Laredo Bridge System, City of Laredo
Rafael Garcia Laredo Bridge System, City of Laredo
Eugenio Garza Jr. U.S. Customs Port Director, Laredo
Francisco Garcia Chief Inspector, U.S. Customs, World Trade Bridge
Rene Leyendecker U.S. Customs, South Texas Customs Management Center

Table 4. Contacts in Mexico - Border Crossing Contacts in Mexico at the Federal and State Levels
Contact Agency Phone/Fax E-mail
Claude Cortez Papi Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) (52) 55 19 64 84 CCortezp@sct.gob.mx
Victor Rodriguez Baggio Central de Planeación Aduanera Servicios de Administración Tributaria Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (52) 52 28 33 82 empty cell
Enrique Garza González Subgerencia de Innovación y Calidad Nuevo Laredo II Bridge (52) 87 55 07 12 (Cellular) empty cell

Lic. Beatriz Bautista Morgan Subadministradora Nuevo Laredo III

 Subadministradora Nuevo Laredo III Nuevo Laredo III Bridge empty cell empty cell

Table 5. Contacts in the United States - Border Crossing Contacts in the United States
Contact Agency Phone/Fax E-mail
Ana Einohosa U.S. Customs, Assistant Port Director, Laredo 956-718-4179 Ana.Hinojosa@ Customs.treas.gov
J.J. Castillo U.S. Customs 956-726-2397 empty cell
Rene Leyendecker U.S. Customs 956-718-4161 ext. 4184 RENE.LEYENDECKER@Customs.treas.gov
Rafael Garcia Laredo Bridge System, City of Laredo 956-791-2200 RGarcia0@ci.Laredo. TX.US
Gabriella Salinas Laredo Bridge System, City of Laredo 956-791-2200 empty cell
Frank Garcia U.S. Customs, Assistant Port Director, Laredo 956-794-9401 empty cell
Alex Agular U.S. Customs Supervisor 956-794-9423 empty cell

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