Transportation Border Working Group

Membership Survey

Hugh Conroy and Walter Steeves in association with the TBWG Steering

Committee2008-11-19

Toronto

Background - Survey and Respondents

• Over the summer months (July – September 2008)

• 51 respondents

• 31 questions

• Survey Monkey web-based questionnaire

Discussion Plan

Points of consensus Issues needing more

discussionReach a conclusionRefer back to the

Steering Committee for a specific proposal

Other feedback & insights

1. TBWG focus & Action Plan

2. Meetings3. Participation &

Structure4. Subcommittees5. CommunicationReview of conclusions & next-steps

Respondent profile

Respondent Profile Respondent Profile

Have you ever attended a plenary?

•38 of 51 responded to the question

•82% said yes

•18% said no

Response Percent

Response Count

43.6% 1712.8% 55.1% 235.9% 142.6% 15.1% 2

Additional comments: 5answered question 39

skipped question 12

TBWG Membership Survey

Provincial Agency (Transportation / Safety Focus)

Answer Options

Municipal Agency

Federal Agency (Security / Customs / Trade / Safety

Responder Profile:

State Agency (Transportation / Safety Focus)

Federal Agency (Transportation / Infrastructure Focus)

Other

Respondent Profile Respondent Profile

Overall SatisfactionThe TBWG helps enhance “border-wide” bi-national planning, communication, and coordination on Canada-U.S. border and transportation infrastructure issues.

• 2% disagree

• 21% agree somewhat

• 68% agree

• 9% strongly agree Best Practices– Information sharing (i.e. online

compendium, ideas, (8)– Inter-agency communication

and coordination (6)– Plenaries and workshops (4)– Agency / Project updates (3)– Subcommittees (2)– Private sector panels (2)– Border Infrastructure Flow

Architecture work (2)– Border tours

Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan

Strategic Directions: Inter-agency Cooperation

Should enhancing inter-agency cooperation continue to be a priority?

• 5% agree somewhat• 46% agree• 49% strongly agree

Suggested strategies:• Data sharing• Joint data collection• Memorandum of Cooperation signed by member

agencies to institutionalize coordination (2)• Communicating with operating levels of member

agencies (2) • Document and assess mutual objectives and priorities• Ensure high-level Customs participation• Identify clearly what is wanted of each agency

Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan

Strategic Directions – Action Plan Priorities

Ranking of the TBWG Action Plan priorities:1. Enhancing Interagency Coordination2. Trade / Traffic Data SC Initiatives3. OBIC (Border Compendium)4. BIFA / Border Technology 5. Information clearinghouse (website)

Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan

How specifically could the TBWG best position itself to advance its Action Plan initiatives and to become increasing “action oriented”?

 Suggestions:– Clear objectives (4)– Understanding of overarching policy drivers– Shorter / tighter action plan– Use consultants to facilitate and coordinate specific issues– Focus on issues rather than policy and oversight (2)– Increased commitment from members required– Market TBWG’s accomplishments to gain more support– Increase membership on subcommittees– Need stronger buy-in from member agencies– Advance planning studies

Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan Focus & Action PlanFocus & Action Plan

Holding two TBWG plenary meetings per year is the appropriate frequency

• 7% disagree; • 40% agree somewhat; • 35% agree; • 18% strongly agree

Alternative - One plenary per year and workshops

• 14% disagree; • 25% agree somewhat; • 44% agree; • 19% strongly agree

MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings

Two days per plenary?• 2% disagree• 7% agree somewhat• 75% agree• 16% strongly agree

Respondents said:• Depends on the content of each plenary• “I think two days works well.”• Depends on level of activities at

subcommittee level• “Much longer than 2 days is hard to get

away for and less than 2 days is hard to justify the travel.”

• Suggestions ranged from 1 day to 3 days.

MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings

Scope of Activities – Topics Covered

TBWG updates and presentations on significant issues affecting border management and cross-border transportation have been timely and useful.

– 2% disagree

– 26% agree somewhat

– 56% agree

– 16% strongly agree

MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings

Scope of Activities - Issues

Ranking of interest in continued coverage of topics

1. Updates on regional planning / border projects1. Border technology developments / border wait times2. U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and Enhanced

Drivers' Licenses (EDLs)2. Institutional change affecting border issues2. Initiatives designed to ensure secure and efficient flows at smaller

border crossings2. U.S. Surface Transportation Re-authorization / Canadian funding

programs3. Stakeholder dialogue sessions on specific topics3. U.S. Advance Notification / Automated Commercial Environment

(ACE) modernization3. Implementation of trusted traveler / shipper programs4. Motor carrier safety (e.g., hours of service)

MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings

Additional initiatives and issues of interest for presentation topics:

• Gateways and corridors• Port groups• Supply chains• Motor carrier safety (2)• Surface and intermodal security• Canada/U.S. border vs. European and Mexican/U.S.

borders• Testimonials from the private sector about the

success of border initiatives• Declining border traffic levels• Border wait time standards

MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings Scope of Activities – Topics Covered

Best locations:– Major cities (most

common answer)– Near airports– Near the border

MeetingsMeetings MeetingsMeetings

My jurisdiction / agency would welcome a TBWG plenary:– 14% disagree– 23% agree somewhat– 54% agree– 9% strongly agree

The TBWG has engaged the appropriate players to make progress on its objectives / initiatives.

– 2% disagree

– 26% agree somewhat

– 63% agree

– 9% strongly agree

Participants & StructureParticipants & Structure Participants & StructureParticipants & Structure

Possible additional players:• Status quo (2)• Additional agencies / departments• Smaller states and provinces (5)• Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada• CBP and CBSA (3)• Various security agencies• State law enforcement• Private sector• Economic development agencies, chambers of

commerce (4)• Major freight providers (2)• University experts / researchers• Crossing operators and authorities (2)• Decision makers / politicians

Participants & StructureParticipants & Structure Participants & StructureParticipants & Structure

Border Infrastructure Coordination

The Online Border Infrastructure Compendium (OBIC) is an effective tool…– 41% agree somewhat– 46% agree– 13% strongly agree

Suggested additions to the OBIC:• Commercial vehicle inspection sites near crossings• Intermodal facilities (4)• Identify corridors (2)• Gateway strategy information• Modes at and near crossings • Spreadsheet format• Accuracy of data needs to be improved (i.e. counts, combined

trade data)• Public version of the OBIC• Element of proven border efficiencies

SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees

Technology

The Border Information Flow Architecture (BIFA) is a useful tool…

– 4% disagree

– 43% agree somewhat

– 43% agree

– 10% strongly agree

SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees

Trade and Traffic

The Trade and Traffic Data Committee has made good progress in identifying common data needs and assessing effective data gathering and analysis:– 3% disagree;– 42% agree somewhat– 47% agree– 8% strongly agree

Other items to pursue:– Enhanced data collection at crossings (e.g. origin-destination

data) (2)– Review and standardization of border wait time methodologies– Data exchange among agencies– Data warehouse

SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees

The Policy Subcommittee addresses a distinct set of issues in a way that serves the interests of the full TBWG.– 6% disagree– 41% agree somewhat– 45% agree– 8% strongly agree

Other items to consider:• “State of the Northern Border” discussion paper• Better engage membership• Compare policies of U.S./Canada border with those of

U.S./Mexico and European contexts• Clarify mandate• Transport and border security• More updates from regional planning authorities• Prioritized list of research efforts• Standardizing border infrastructure for more seamless crossings

Policy SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees

General participation

I would be prepared to consider devoting more time to TBWG subcommittees:– 3% strongly disagree– 17% disagree– 44% agree somewhat– 31% agree– 5% strongly agree

Additional comments:– Workgroup objectives and outcomes must be

clear– Too busy (4)– Better scheduling of committee work required– Travel is a constraint

SubcommitteesSubcommittees SubcommitteesSubcommittees

Website

The TBWG website provides an effective means of enhancing communications…

– 38% agree somewhat

– 49% agree

– 13% strongly agree

CommunicationsCommunicationsCommunicationsCommunications

Other Tools

Support for a newsletter– 2% strongly disagree– 20% disagree– 27% agree somewhat– 36% agree– 15% strongly agree

Other suggestions:– Interactive border map– Q & A section– Email updates / broadcasts (e.g. changes to the

website) (3)– Video teleconferencing– Webinars (e.g. Let’s Talk Borders)

CommunicationsCommunicationsCommunicationsCommunications

Summary

Points of Consensus

TBWG Focus & Action Plan:• Interagency co-operation & co-ordination – key role• Importance of Action Plan clarity & focus

TBWG Plenaries & Subcommittees:• Frequency: Two plenaries / year – two days / plenary• Location: Major cities (budgets, ease of travel)• Structure: Open working group meetings,

infrastructure / policy / program updates, private sector panel / presentation, security program updates

• Subcommittees: general support – additional participation limited by workloads & topics

Summary cont.

TBWG Communications: • Website: key information sharing tool – currency &

updates important – improvements?• OBIC: important tool – basic updates remain key --

potential upgrades

Suggestions & Additional Discussion:• TBWG newsletter• OBIC - public access component• Participation of smaller jurisdictions • Other topics – freight, environment, etc.