US/CANADA RAIL BORDER OPERATIONS TRANSPORTATION BORDER WORKING GROUP WASHINGTON, DC APRIL 30, 2004 Jane Bachner Federal Railroad Administration US/CANADA.
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US/CANADA RAIL BORDER OPERATIONS
TRANSPORTATION BORDER WORKING GROUP
WASHINGTON, DC
APRIL 30, 2004
Jane Bachner
Federal Railroad Administration
US/CANADA RAIL BORDER OPERATIONS
TRANSPORTATION BORDER WORKING GROUP
WASHINGTON, DC
APRIL 30, 2004
Jane Bachner
Federal Railroad Administration
CROSS-BORDER ABC’S
22 RAIL CROSSINGS- TOP 6 ACCOUNT FOR 90% OF TRAFFIC
14 RAILROADS- 6 MAJOR US AND CANADIAN RR’S
- CN (inc. GTW) CP (inc. Soo, D&H)
- UP, BNSF, CSX, NS
US/CANADA RAIL CROSSINGS
2003 RAIL CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC
Crossings Value (Billion $US)
Port Huron MI 22.9
Detroit MI 16.7
Buffalo/Niagara Falls NY 9.1
Int’l Falls/Ranier MN 4.6
Portal ND 2.7
Blaine WA 2.1
Subtotal 58.1
Total, All Crossings 64.8
2003 TRUCK CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC
CROSSING VALUE (BILLION US$)
Detroit MI 84.7
Buffalo/Niagara Falls NY 45.7
Port Huron MI 35.7
Champlain/Rouses Pt. NY
12.7
Alexandria Bay NY 10.0
Blaine WA 9.9
SUBTOTAL 198.7
ALL CROSSINGS 240.9
TOP US EXPORTS TO CANADA, 2003
VALUE (Billion $US)
BY RAIL:
Transp. Equipment 7.3
Plastics 1.4
Organic Chemicals 1.0
By TRUCK:
Transp. Equipment 27.5
Reactors, Boilers, etc. 25.9
Elec. Machinery 12.1
TOP US IMPORTS FROM CANADA, 2003
Value (Billion US$)
BY RAIL:
Transp. Equipment 27.3
Wood, Products 5.1
Paper, Paperboard 3.0
BY TRUCK:
Transp. Equipment 25.4
Reactors, Boilers, etc. 13.3
Charity Articles, Military Apparel
7.8
Rail-Carried US Trade with Mexico and Canada
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
year
Bill
ions
US
$
Mexico
Canada
Source: USDOT , Transborder Surface Freight Data
RAIL BORDER CROSSINGS
• Constructed, paid for and operated by carrier
• New crossings require Presidential Permit
- Engineering plans, environmental impacts
- States involved in review process, but approval on Federal level
FRA’S ROLE
Safety regulatory agency
- Close relationship with Transport Canada
CROSS BORDER OPERATIONS
Equipment moving into US is subject to US rules, unless waived
Crews change at terminal nearest the border- Locomotives may change at crew change points or run through
Cross-border crews must qualify under rules of both countries - FRA Hours of Service rules begin when run starts, not when border is crossed- FRA alcohol/drug rules go into effect for foreign crews June 11, 2004
OPERATIONS, CON’T
FRA does NOT routinely station inspectors at border crossings
We DO conduct random, routine periodic inspections for crews and equipment inside the US
FRA’S ROLE
Liaison/facilitator between railroads and border agencies
Liaison on security and policy issues with Transport Canada
Railroad Vehicle & Cargo Inspection System (Railroad VACIS®)
Benefits
The Railroad VACIS is unique in its capabilities. It is the only available method for non-invasive inspection of loaded and moving railroad cars.
Railroad VACIS Images
Contraband surrounding cloth
Illegal aliens
600 pounds of cocaine
Locations
U.S. Northern Border• Blaine WA• Eastport ID• Portal ND• Noyes MN (2)• International Falls MN• Buffalo NY• Rouses Pt NY• Sarnia Ontario *• Windsor Ontario **
U.S. Southern Border• Brownsville TX• Laredo TX• Eagle Pass TX• El Paso TX (2)• Nogales AZ• Calexico CA ***• San Ysidro CA
Mexico Northern Border• Nuevo Laredo• Matamoros• Piedras Negras• Nogales• Cd. Juarez• Mexicali ***
Mexico Ports• Vera Cruz• Manzanillo
* Installation Spring/Summer 04** Project on hold*** Systems purchased; in planning stage
Rail VACIS Locations
Blaine WA
Easport ID
Portal ND
Noyes MN (2)
International Falls MN
San Ysidro CA
Calexico CA ***Mexicali Mexico ***
Nogales AZNogales Mexico
El Paso TX (2)Cd. Juarez Mexico
Eagle Pass TXPiedras Negras Mexico
Sarnia Ontario (2) *
Windsor Ontario **
Buffalo NY
Rouses Pt NY
Manzanillo Mexico
Vera Cruz Mexico
Laredo TX Nuevo Laredo Mex
Brownsville TXMatamoros Mexico
* Install Spring 2004** Project on hold*** In planning stage
Applications
•The Railroad VACIS is capable of inspecting trains traveling at speeds of between 1 and 8 MPH.
•As the rail cars move through the gamma beam, their images are individually saved, along with radio frequency identification (RFID) data and a digital video snapshot of the car ID number.
•The Railroad VACIS operator can view the images as they are acquired, and make appropriate decisions to further inspect the rail cars if necessary.
FRA’S ROLE
• US Chair of Rail Consultative Group under NAFTA
• Reviewing agency for new crossings
CHALLENGES AHEAD
Increasing security needs Rising traffic levels Scarce funding resources New safety regulations
MEETING THE CHALLENGES
• Cooperation/Consultation
- National
- State/Provincial/Local
- Private sector
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