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The design and deployment processes described in this study were used for deployment of a system based on radio frequency identification technology at the Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge in Pharr, Texas. The overall goal of this deployment was to implement a system that would automatically and reliably collect, archive, and disseminate wait times and crossing times of U.S.-bound commercial vehicles at international land border crossings and thereby monitor the performance of these crossings. Such performance measures provide stakeholder agencies and users with information to assist in various travel-related decisions, establish a common denominator to estimate the effect of improvements and modifications in operation, and establish indices that can be easily communicated to a nontechnical audience and still remain relevant. Results are also described from the initial analysis of wait and crossing times of U.S.-bound commercial vehicles at the border crossing. Researchers believe that the study will greatly benefit stakeholder agencies at the border that want to implement similar systems to measure border crossing performance. At the same time, the research community can benefit from the real-time and archived data, and it is expected that new research opportunities focused on performance measurement and monitoring of international border crossings will be generated.

This research presents a methodology for estimating freight flows along corridors serving international trade. A methodology for disaggregating regional flows from the FHWA Freight Analysis Framework (FAF3) to the state level was developed and applied to the state of Texas. To keep international trade moving in a timely and efficient manner, it is important to have accurate information identifying and anticipating capacity shortfalls and congestion nodes. As trade levels increase, the strain on existing infrastructure serving international trade only worsens; therefore, this information is important for improving strategic investment decisions. Findings from the literature are presented about the FAF3 structure and existing methodologies to estimate freight flows at statewide and regional levels. A methodology was developed to disaggregate national FAF3 data and then to assign and estimate the tons of international freight flows through statewide roadways and railroads. The international trade corridors in Texas are used as a case study to apply the methodology and estimate current and future freight demand. Results from the case study demonstrate encouraging findings about this methodology. Conclusions and recommendations to refine and improve this methodology and the FAF3 are provided.

This paper introduces port authority transportation reinvestment zones (TRZs), a funding tool created by the Texas Legislature to help fund long-term economic development port projects. TRZs were first introduced in Texas in 2007 as a tool to allow county and municipal governments to raise funds to help pay for transportation improvements using the property tax mechanism. Since then, the legislation has been amended to include other transportation modes, such as transit, rail, and parking facilities. Amendments passed in 2013 introduced the concept of port authority TRZ, which expanded authorized use of the tool to the state’s port authorities and navigation districts. Most of the existing funding tools available to Texas ports focus on the development of infrastructure within port property. Port authority TRZs complement existing funding sources by providing a funding tool flexible enough to fund port projects both inside and outside port property. Port authorities can take advantage of the TRZ concept to join forces with neighboring local governments and the Texas Department of Transportation to fund landside transportation enhancements that improve port accessibility and the regional economy. Currently, there are four active port authority TRZs in the following locations: Port of Beaumont, Port of Port Arthur, Port of Brownsville, and Sabine-Neches Navigation District. This paper summarizes the legal framework of port authority TRZs, describes the role that these TRZs play in port funding and finance, and presents highlights of the port authority TRZs that have already been established throughout the state.