One Year After Sept. 11, TransCore Gains Momentum Building Smarter Borders and Expediting Trade; President Bush's Visit to Ambassador Bridge Puts Spotlight on ITS-Equipped Border Crossing.

Business Editors

DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2002

One year post Sept. 11, securing America's border crossings while not constricting trade remains an ongoing challenge.

President Bush highlights the issue today by visiting Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit. The bridge is the busiest international border crossing in North America and a critical trade corridor, feeding Michigan's auto industry and serving as a conduit for 27 percent of all merchandise trade between the United States and Canada. Ambassador Bridge is also a prototypical example of how public-private cooperation is applying intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to build stronger, safer borders without hindering the free flow of goods between the United States and its longtime partner nations.

One of the joint border policies highlighted by the visit is the Free and Secure Transport (FAST) program, which combines the efforts of both countries to make sure safe trade can flow freely across the border. FAST, which will debut in Detroit and five other locations over the next few months, incorporates dedicated lanes so trucks can have an expedited border crossing without long waits. To streamline the current process, the program combines intensive pre-clearance paperwork with wireless radio frequency transponders that send electronic information to Customs agents regarding the type of cargo trucks are carrying, where it came from, where it is going and who is driving.

The FAST program evolved from earlier programs for importers and carriers who participated in the "Customs - Trade Partnership Against Terrorism" (C-TPAT). Prior to Sept. 11, the primary goal was to enhance the flow of travelers and goods. Working with TransCore, U.S. Customs deployed the North American Trade Automation Prototype (NATAP) system on the Ambassador Bridge in 1997. This system uses windshield-mounted radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders in commercial vehicles and a roadside reader for automatic vehicle identification (AVI). Individual trucks were crosschecked against the U.S. Government's NATAP database to determine if import and export documents were in order. This allowed "pre-processing" of compliant, low-risk commercial vehicles and cargo that were signaled to pass with a traffic light. High-risk, non-compliant vehicles and cargo were directed to secondary examination for closer inspection.

The same year, TransCore installed dedicated commuter lanes (DCLs) for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. The DCLs allow commuters who submit to background and vehicle checks to be designated as trusted travelers. They are issued RFID transponders that allow them to use the dedicated commuter lanes and bypass long waits. Use of RFID for electronic toll collection (ETC) from both commercial and commuter vehicles was in place by 1998, further reducing delays. This was the first ETC system to accept and separately maintain toll collection accounts in both U.S. and Canadian currency.

In 1999, TransCore worked with the U.S. Customs Service to convert the NATAP system for use with the National Customs Automation Program (NCAP). Initially this system helped Detroit's automakers implement just-in-time deliveries of supplies and finished product from Canada. Today, the FAST program will insure that the same automakers and frequent cargo carriers that implemented just-in-time shipping will continue to function in this new era of heightened border security.

Proven ITS systems provide the platform to further expand the scope of these efforts to include solutions under development, speeding homeland security capabilities. President Bush's 2003 Budget gives the U.S. Customs Service additional funding of $619 million, for a total of $2.3 billion to broaden safety measures. In addition to hiring new agents, the U.S. Customs Service budget has funds for the purchase of technology for the inspection of shipments that enhance efficiency and reduce labor-intensive use of manpower resources. The International Trade Data System-Automated Commercial Environment (ITDS-ACE) is scheduled to replace the various USCS processing systems in 2005. The integration of these technologies, information systems and regulatory agencies will result in the North American "Smart" border system of the future.

About TransCore

TransCore is a privately held transportation services company with 1,700 employees and more than 80 locations throughout the world. With installations in 39 countries, 80-plus patents and a world-class manufacturing facility, TransCore's expertise in providing system-based applications that improve transportation efficiency is unparalleled. For more information, visit www.transcore.com.