01554291

Component

Recent growth in foreign direct investment in Mexico and the relocation of significant manufacturing facilities indicate that nearshoring to Mexico is a potential trend for U.S. companies seeking to locate production plants outside the U.S. The possible resulting trade between the U.S. and Mexico will lead to an increase in the number of trucks crossing at southern border ports of entry. High truck volumes at the border and increased security concerns make border crossing delays inevitable in current conditions. Private sector stakeholders estimate crossing times as ranging from thirty minutes at non-peak to over two hours at peak time. To gain in-depth, first-hand qualitative information about commercial border delays, the researchers conducted interviews and an online survey of border stakeholders. Findings on the current state of U.S. southern border ports, with the Texas-Mexico border as a case study, are presented in this paper. Challenges routinely encountered during border crossing processes in the region are discussed, including the effects of border delays on logistic chains. The paper concludes with recommendations from stakeholders on how to improve border crossing traffic flow in preparation for potential growth in truck traffic as a result of nearshoring.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AT015 Freight Transportation Planning and Logistics.

01550057

15-2955

English

16p

2015

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References

International borders; Logistics; Recommendations; Stakeholders; Surveys; Traffic delays; Traffic flow; Truck traffic

Texas-Mexico Border region; United States-Mexico Border

Freight Transportation; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-2955

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 30 2014 12:59PM