BORDER WAIT TIME REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE:

Border Wait Time

System

Buffalo-Niagara Region

Stephanie Dafoe Niagara Falls Bridge Commission

Manager of Human Resources, Agency Relations and Security

Project concept and benefits…

Project Scope

Use Bluetooth technology to automatically calculate border wait

times at Niagara crossings

Benefits

Greater accuracy, more current data, eliminate human variable, same data used by all agencies

How does it work?

What is currently in place and how it got there…

Peace Bridge

Queenston/Lewiston

= Bluetooth reader

Type of data produced and its users Users of the system data include:

PBA, NFBC, NITTEC, CBP, CBSA, NY511

Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…

Problem Solution

Improper placement of readers

• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)

Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…

Problem Solution

Improper placement of readers

• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)

Improper configuration of readers and links

• Live system monitoring by agencies working together with software developer receiving the data

Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…

Problem Solution

Improper placement of readers

• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)

Improper configuration of readers and links

• Live system monitoring by agencies working together with software developer receiving the data

Separating distinct vehicle types

• Directional antennas to detect certain areas of traffic separately from others (ex. NEXUS lanes)

• “Tagging” of vehicles – record an ID and classify it as car or truck for future visits. Currently a 34.7% repeat use rate.

• Queue mode versus cumulative mode wait times

Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…

Problem Solution

Improper placement of readers

• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)

Improper configuration of readers and links

• Live system monitoring by agencies working together with software developer receiving the data

Separating distinct vehicle types

• Directional antennas to detect certain areas of traffic separately from others (ex. NEXUS lanes)

• “Tagging” of vehicles – record an ID and classify it as car or truck for future visits. Currently a 34.7% repeat use rate.

• Queue mode versus cumulative mode wait times

Wait time lag (slow to show changes in delay)

• Shorter distances between links • Queue mode helps

Issues that arose and solutions that were developed…

Problem Solution

Improper placement of readers

• Hands-on investigation by all parties to track down issues and to tune and relocate readers. Testing to insure proper separation of vehicle types (auto, truck, NEXUS)

Improper configuration of readers and links

• Live system monitoring by agencies working together with software developer receiving the data

Separating distinct vehicle types

• Directional antennas to detect certain areas of traffic separately from others (ex. NEXUS lanes)

• “Tagging” of vehicles – record an ID and classify it as car or truck for future visits. Currently a 34.7% repeat use rate.

• Queue mode versus cumulative mode wait times

Wait time lag (slow to show changes in delay)

• Shorter distances between links • Queue mode helps

Cellular internet communication issues near the border

• Hardwiring readers into existing networks where possible • Switching to a private cellular network versus the public

network

What is cumulative mode…

6 14

25 14

15 20

1 20

Wait in minutes Link threshold

Cumulative Auto Wait

Cumulative Truck Wait

25+15+1 = 41 min. 6+15+1 = 22 min.

What is queue mode…

6 14

25 14

15 20

1 20

Wait in minutes Link threshold

Cumulative Auto Wait

Cumulative Truck Wait

Queue Mode Auto Wait

Queue Mode Truck Wait

25+15+1 = 41 min. 6+15+1 = 22 min. 25+15 = 40 min. 6 min.

System Calibration

Most can be done via user friendly web interface by system owner/user

Maintenance Tasks

Generally very infrequent but can include:

• Settings adjustments due to anomalies/inaccuracies

• Manually cycling power to a reader

• Troubleshooting network connectivity to hardwired readers

• Adjusting attenuation

• Replacing a broken reader

Bluetooth Reader

Flexibility to Changing Operations

YES!

If there is physical separation between cars and trucks at some point upon approaching the crossing. Peace Bridge and

Queenston/Lewiston bridge have this US bound.

NO!

If lanes are constantly changing from one type to another without some early upstream vehicle type classification.

BUT…

The system would then require notification of these changes. Various methods could then be implemented to allow for

operational changes on the fly.

Upfront and Recurring Costs (12 reader example)

Upfront Costs

BT Readers = $4,500 each

Software license =

$200/reader

Software Configuration =

140 hours

Approximated Total

$75,000

Recurring costs

Cloud server = $300/month

Cellular data costs =

$50/reader/month

Maintenance = $300/month

Setting Edits = $300/month

Approximated Total

$1,500/m (with cell data)

Next steps…

Possible integration/addition of Wi-Fi, E-ZPass or license plate data feeds into the existing software solution

Monitor the volume of Bluetooth data available to the system

Live data feeds to highway signs in Canada and USA (NITTEC/MTO)

More users of the data (MTO/Ontario 511 service)

Outfit Rainbow Bridge with Bluetooth readers

Hardwire power and data to all readers where possible

Questions?