Border Information Flow Architecture

At the Transportation Border Working Group (TBWG) meeting in June, 2003, it was recognized that there has been a proliferation in the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and other technology on the approaches to both sides of the Canada - U.S. border, and that there has been a lack of coordination among the various agencies in terms of the types of technologies being installed.

The Technology sub-committee identified the need for a “process for institutional cooperation and coordination to ensure that decision-making related to the selection of technologies by individual agencies will result in interoperability”. The development of a Border Information Flow Architecture could help guide a deliberate effort to ensure the systems deployed at the border are able to interact with each other.

An architecture describes interactions among physical components of the transportation system including travellers, vehicles, sensors, databases, and control centres. It also describes the information and communications system requirements, how data could be shared and used, and the standards required to facilitate information sharing.

The Border Information Flow Architecture Working Group (BIFAWG) was created in January 2004, consisting of representatives of federal, provincial, and state governments and regional planning authorities. It is co-chaired by Transport Canada and the United States Federal Highways Administration. A Steering Committee has been established with membership including:

• Transport Canada
• Federal Highways Administration (FHWA)
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO)
• Ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ)
• New York State DOT
• Whatcom County Council of Governments

The working group meets in person in conjunction with the semi-annual TBWG meetings, and meets bi-monthly by teleconference. The group is holding workshops in early 2005 to develop the architecture.

Further information is available on the BIFA website.