Advanced "smart" transportation system speeds cargo across U.S./Mexico border; new electronic border clearance technology will cut pollution and save money at Otay Mesa border crossing.

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 1995--An innovative system using the latest "smart" transportation technologies -- including vehicle sensors, tracking systems, communications and computers -- will soon create an "electronic border crossing" and speed the movement of goods across the U.S./Mexico international border, cutting pollution and saving money.

The new system was demonstrated Monday for high-ranking U.S. and Mexican officials at one of North America's busiest crossings -- Otay Mesa in San Diego. The project is a partnership of CALSTART, California's advanced transportation consortium, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration and an impressive nationwide industry and government team.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena announced the completion of funding, totaling $2.2 million, for the CALSTART-led project. "The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) embodies President Clinton's vision of seamless trade and transportation along our international borders," Pena said.

"Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technology is one of the keys to bringing the vision of NAFTA to life and improving swift border service. It will ease congestion and cut air pollution, while at the same time maintaining the highest degree of law enforcement available along our border."

The project is one of the first truly practical applications of the new "smart" vehicle technologies now available. The system uses commercial off-the-shelf wireless communications technology and customized computer software to "pre-clear" commercial vehicles through U.S. and Mexican enforcement organizations including Customs and Immigration.

The project also represents a widening focus on ITS technologies for CALSTART. "CALSTART is particularly excited about the electronic border clearance project," said Michael J. Gage, CALSTART president and CEO. "This is existing advanced technology combined in a new and valuable way. It shows the real value of smart vehicle technologies solving business and pollution problems with a new U.S.-led industry.

The project uses software and hardware from Scientific-Atlanta (San Diego, Atlanta) and transponders and readers from Hughes Transportation Management Systems (Fullerton, Calif.). Other participants include American President Lines, based in Oakland, Calif., the Port of Los Angeles, Caltrans, Qualcomm Corp. and the U.S. and Mexican Customs Service.

Scientific-Atlanta's Signal Processing Systems Division is the project's system integrator and provider of in-vehicle data processing and interface units. "The process of moving goods across the two international borders with the United States is complex, time-consuming and expensive for commercial vehicle fleet operators and U.S., Mexican and Canadian border officials," said Peter Houser, who leads the project for Scientific-Atlanta, a leading supplier of broadband communications systems and satellite-based communications networks.

"This test demonstrates the application of advanced technologies to improve clearing Customs and Immigration when traveling between the U.S. and Mexico."

Cargo shipped across the U.S.-Mexico border will be pre-cleared with customs, immigration, safety and other inspection data entered into an electronic transmitter system. Trucks approaching the border will transmit their electronic clearance to the inspection stations using Hughes' roadside-to-vehicle transponders. The vehicle's identification data, cargo security status and the route followed from the pickup point are uploaded to the border workstations.

If the cargo has not been tampered with, the vehicle will be waved directly through customs at the Mexican border, typically eliminating several hours, even days, of waiting time.

Philip Davy, vice president of marketing for Hughes Transportation Management Systems (HTMS), said, "We are pleased that HTMS and Delco Electronics are participating in this important project by providing readers and transponders. The vehicle-to-roadside communications technology we are providing will enable agencies and authorities to enhance the speed by which people and vehicles cross the border. Future uses of this technology may enable even more assurance that cargo has not been tampered with and that the vehicles conform to appropriate legal requirements."

The HTMS vehicle-to-roadside communications uses an in-vehicle "transponder" that interchanges data with a roadside reader or beacon. Transponder data, identifying and describing the vehicle (and/or driver), allow pre-clearance for customs purposes of the vehicle and its cargo while the vehicle is in motion.

Other applications include the non-stop passage of vehicles that conform to all appropriate and legal requirements, such as safety and emissions reports, cargo seal integrity, route deviation and so on. The vehicle transponders and road-side readers are fully compatible with the equipment used on the HELP Inc. and Advantage I-75 AVION programs.

CALSTART is a California non-profit consortium dedicated to creating an advanced transportation industry in the state. Its 160-plus participants include defense and aerospace technology firms, vehicle manufacturers, transit agencies, all the state's major utilities and labor and environmental groups.

CONTACT: CALSTART

Bill Van Amburg/Dave Sotero, 818/565-5600

or

U.S. DOT

Jim Pinkleman, 202/366-0660

or

Scientific-Atlanta

Scott Wood, 770/903-4841

or

Hughes

Susan Marzec, 714/998-1629