2000 Cross-Border Trade & Travel Study
The IMTC Cross-Border Trade and Travel Study was completed in 2001 as a response to the need identified by IMTC participants for better data regarding the four ports-of-entry which make up the Cascade Gateway between Whatcom County, Washington and British Columbia.
Previous data collected on the Cascade Gateway revealed little about commodity flow, intermodal opportunities, or the potential sustainability of new transportation options. To close these gaps, updated and detailed information was collected in the summer and fall of 2000 to analyze cross-border traffic volumes, origin and destination of trips, commercial commodity flow, and passenger trip purpose. The Cross-Border Trade and Travel Study is the most comprehensive analysis of B.C. - Washington cross-border travel data ever completed.
The final report analyzes who crosses the border and what drives demand; time of day characteristics of cross-border travel; the potential for diverting traffic to alternative modes of travel as well as to other crossings; the potential for greater use of HOV lanes; and the markets for pre-approval programs to improve cross-border security and mobility.
The Cross-Border Trade and Travel Study is used by IMTC participating organizations to make informed decisions to improve cross-border safety and mobility in this region.
Funding Partners
- U.S. Federal Highways Administration: $238,000
- Washington State: $200,000
- B.C. Ministry of Transportation: $6,400*
- U.S. Federal Highway Administration: $16,000*
*Funding added March 2001 for the freight-truck delay analysis.
Follow-up Research
In 2004 and 2006, WCOG completed manifest surveys of southbound trucks to update the data available on commodity flow and origin-destination patterns for commercial vehicles. This work is detailed on the CVO Border Evaluation page..
In 2007 and 2008, WCOG, in partnership with the Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI) at Western Washington University, performed a similar passenger intercept survey at all four Cascade Gateway ports-of-entry to evaluate changes in cross-border travel patterns since 2000. The results are detailed on the Passenger Intercept Survey page.