SUBJECT
A Resolution of the City Council for the City of Laredo, Texas approving a license agreement between the City of Laredo - Bridge System and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) for the purpose of installing/mounting of sensors at specified locations on all (4) International bridges to monitor commercial and private traffic, implement its Border Wait Time Measurement System (BWTMS) at Texas land ports of entry, and authorizing the City Manager to execute all relevant documents, and any other matters incident thereto; providing for severability; and providing for an effective date. This license is being granted without monetary cost or monetary compensation to the City of Laredo and the Laredo Bridge System. TXDOT acknowledges the responsibility for all costs of the use of the Site for the Permitted Use.
title
bodyPREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
None
BACKGROUND
The City of Laredo Bridge System agrees that historically, there has been a lack of reliable border crossing data which has prevented stakeholders from making informed decisions for cross-border infrastructure development, planning, operations, and staffing. The sole purpose of this license mount sensors at specified locations in the four (4) international bridges is to monitor commercial and private traffic. The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) seeks to implement its Border Wait Time Measurement System (BWTMS) using the City’s four (4) international bridges to measure the flow of commercial and private traffic at Texas land ports of entry. Developed by the TTI, the system typically includes four reader stations (RS) in the truck path from Mexico to the United States. The RS gathers from passing vehicles utilizing the unique anonymized identifiers transmitted by the vehicles’ Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices. The raw data collected is timestamped and sent over to a server where the current Wait Time, Customs and Border Protection Wait Times, and Crossing Times are calculated from past crossing times through statistical analysis. The northbound and southbound border crossings and wait times measurement system estimates times for regular trucks and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) times at the crossings with a Fast lane.
The typical setup includes four readings stations:
* In Mexico at the end of the queue heading into the Mexican Customs facility (RS1NB)
* At the exit of the Mexican Customs Facility before crossing the border (RS2NB)
* At the CBO primary inspection facility (RS3NB).
* At the vehicle state inspection facility (RS4NB), only for CVs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council approve this Resolution.
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: FY 2025
Budgeted Y/N?: N
Source of Funds: N/A
Account #: N/A
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None