2020 DATA DIGEST THE INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY & TRADE CORRIDOR PROGRAM

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2020

DATA DIGEST

THE INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY & TRADE CORRIDOR PROGRAM

IMTC is led by the Whatcom Council of Governments 314 E. Champion Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (360) 685-8385

An interactive version of all the data in this publication is available online at: www.theimtc.com.

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Every year, the Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG) publishes a compilation of data on how the Cascade Gateway system of land ports-of-entry has changed over the last year.

This year, it is difficult to compile statistics from 2019 without thinking about how shockingly different these figures will be in 2020. The land ports-of-entry closed to all but essential traffic on March 21, 2020 due to the coronavirus epidemic, and are still closed as of the writing of this report. Many

INTRODUCTION

of the studies, analyses, and cross-border statistics that we compile to monitor the performance of border transportation do not seem pertinent to the border activity we currently see. These are not normal times. Yet it is important to look at how the Cascade Gateway appeared in 2019 prior to the coronavirus epidemic so we can use this information to better anticipate how changes in 2020 will impact the people and the economy of our region. We hope this information will be useful for those attempting to model, forecast, and identify trends.

An interactive version of all the data in this publication is available

online at: www.theimtc.com/border-data/intro .

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NATIONAL RANKING

It’s ports-of-entry service major trade routes for each country and are some of the busiest crossings in the nation.

Blaine (Peace Arch and Pacific Highway)

ranks second for buses, third for

passenger vehicles, and fourth for commercial vehicles across the U.S.— Canada border.

The Cascade Gateway is a system of border crossings of national

significance.

Sumas and Point Roberts are second only to

Niagara Falls for pedestrian traffic due to high numbers of Canadians crossing on foot to pick up parcels in the U.S.

And the Amtrak Cascades has the greatest

international passenger rail ridership of any train service in the U.S.

TOP 20 U.S. - CANADA BORDER CROSSINGS, RANKED BY VOLUME 2019; by port-of-entry & volume by mode

Buﬀalo-Niagara Falls, NY Detroit, MI Blaine, WA Port Huron, MI Champlain-Rouses Point, NY Point Roberts, WA Sumas, WA Massena, NY Calais, ME Sault Sainte Marie, MI Alexandria Bay, NY Lynden, WA Derby Line, VT Highgate Springs-Alburg, VT Madawaska, ME International Falls-Ranier, MN Ogdensburg, NY Pembina, ND Houlton, ME Sweetgrass, MT 579,535 880,346 958,558 3,961,462 186,088 221,594 250,900 291,973 365,697 366,016 479,298 481,798 593,212 656,760 664,385 872,880 1,018,162 1,461,765 4,474,933 4,857,694

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics

Note: Data for southbound direction only

Mode Personal Vehicles Trucks Buses Pedestrians Train Passengers

PERSONAL VEHICLES

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NATIONAL RANKING

Detroit, MI Buﬀalo-Niagara Falls, NY Port Huron, MI Blaine, WA Champlain-Rouses Point, NY Pembina, ND Alexandria Bay, NY Sumas, WA Sweetgrass, MT Highgate Springs-Alburg, VT Derby Line, VT Houlton, ME Calais, ME Lynden, WA Ogdensburg, NY Sault Sainte Marie, MI Massena, NY International Falls-Ranier, MN Point Roberts, WA Madawaska, ME 11,851 44,442 154,508 369,777 2,141 16,416 25,949 39,979 40,558 65,612 90,051 90,807 98,226 140,803 192,589 219,927 298,365 808,541 904,788 1,541,294

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

PEDESTRIANS

TOP 20 U.S. - CANADA BORDER CROSSINGS, RANKED BY VOLUME

2019; by port-of-entry & volume by mode Buﬀalo-Niagara Falls, NY Sumas, WA Point Roberts, WA International Falls-Ranier, MN Calais, ME Port Huron, MI Champlain-Rouses Point, NY Sweetgrass, MT Lynden, WA Madawaska, ME Detroit, MI Derby Line, VT Houlton, ME Massena, NY 962 27,992 60,125 225 269 343 478 887 3,153 4,102 4,416 7,565 9,837 384,676

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics Note: Data for southbound direction only

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TRAIN PASSENGERS

NATIONAL RANKING

Blaine, WA Champlain-Rouses Point, NY Buﬀalo-Niagara Falls, NY International Falls-Ranier, MN Port Huron, MI Detroit, MI Pembina, ND Sweetgrass, MT Sault Sainte Marie, MI Sumas, WA Highgate Springs-Alburg, VT Calais, ME 576 85,561 368 524 710 2,325 2,900 5,379 6,309 8,472 17,116 37,866

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TRAFFIC VOLUMES

Between 2018 and 2019, passenger vehicle traffic decreased 4 percent overall across the Cascade Gateway. 2019 volumes are 20 percent lower than they were five years ago in 2014.

Commercial vehicles remain steady with a 1

percent decrease in volume between 2018 and 2019, and a 1 percent decrease since 2014.

Traffic has decreased by 4 percent since 2018.

NORTHBOUND VOLUMES

SOUTHBOUND VOLUMES

2018 2019 6,444,064 -4% 6,712,721 Car Volumes 20 16 20 17 20 18 20 19 -8% -4% 3% 9%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

400K 500K 600K

2018

2019

VEHICLE CROSS-BORDER VOLUMES

2019 vs 2018 Volume of vehicles by month, by direction and port-of-entry Choose "Show More" to see 2016-2019 comparisons

2018 2019 537,375 -1% 543,329 Truck Volumes 20 16 20 17 20 18 20 19 -8% -4% 3% 9%

40K 45K 50K 2018 2019 Direction Northbound Southbound Port-of-Entry Peace Arch/Douglas Paciﬁc Highway Lynden/Aldergrove Sumas/Abb-Huntingdon Pt Roberts/Boundary Bay

Data Sources: Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Customs & Border Protection Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments Show More Show Less 2018 2019 6,379,144 -4% 6,652,462 Car Volumes 20 16 20 17 20 18 20 19 -8% -1% -4% 9%

400K 500K 600K

2018 2019

VEHICLE CROSS-BORDER VOLUMES

2019 vs 2018 Volume of vehicles by month, by direction and port-of-entry

Choose "Show More" to see 2016-2019 comparisons

2018 2019 580,577 -1% 588,302 Truck Volumes 20 16 20 17 20 18 20 19 -8% -1% -4% 9%

40K 45K 50K 2018 2019 Direction Northbound Southbound Port-of-Entry Peace Arch/Douglas Paciﬁc Highway Lynden/Aldergrove Sumas/Abb-Huntingdon Pt Roberts/Boundary Bay

Data Sources: Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Customs & Border Protection Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments

Show More Show Less

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NEXUS USAGE

The Cascade Gateway region has always had a high mode share with pre-approved traveler programs. This has continued to grow. In 2019 we see the highest percentage yet, with over 53 percent of vehicles using the NEXUS lane at Peace Arch southbound in 2019, and 50 percent using the lane northbound.

Nearly 50% of all vehicles crossing the border between Blaine and

Surrey use NEXUS

NEXUS V. STANDARD VEHICLE USAGE

NEXUS V. STANDARD VEHICLE VOLUMES, 2019 By direction and port-of-entry

NORTHBOUND 50% Peace Arch -Douglas 44% Paciﬁc Highway 18% Lynden-Alder-grove 26% Sumas-Abb.Hunt-ingdon 49% Pt Roberts -Boundary Bay SOUTHBOUND 53% Peace Arch -Douglas 39% Paciﬁc Highway 18% Sumas-Abb.Hunt-ingdon 38% Pt Roberts -Boundary Bay

Data sources: Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Customs & Border Protection; Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments

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EXCHANGE RATE & VOLUME

Although the U.S. – Canadian exchange rate is not the only factor determining volume changes at the Cascade Gateway border crossings, it does appear to influence some travelers, especially when the U.S. and Canadian dollars are close to par.

The exchange rate influences cross-border volume

EXCHANGE RATE & NORTHBOUND VEHICLE VOLUMES

EXCHANGE RATES & VEHICLE VOLUMES

CANADIAN and U.S. passenger vehicles by year, all ports-of-entry, 2000-2019, northbound only E X CH A N G E R A TE 0.83 0.64 0.78 0.88 0.65 0.88 0.77 0.77 0.77 1.00 0.75 0.99 0.75 0.91 0.67 0.97 0.97 0.94 0.72 0.94

Data sources: Bank of Canada (https://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/exchange/?page_moved=1), Statistics Canada (https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=2410000201)

Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments

V O LU M E B Y N A TI O N A LI TY 20 00 20 01 20 02 20 03 20 04 20 05 20 06 20 07 20 08 20 09 20 10 20 11 20 12 20 13 20 14 20 15 20 16 20 17 20 18 20 19 1, 90 1, 49 4 1, 86 9, 37 4 1, 60 3, 90 2 1, 63 5, 18 4 1, 61 8, 56 4 1, 53 0, 70 2 1, 37 8, 62 0 1, 24 4, 90 2 1, 13 4, 62 4 1, 80 5, 59 0 1, 13 4, 32 6 1, 09 2, 83 4 1, 46 6, 13 0 1, 48 7, 72 3 1, 51 6, 93 5 1, 64 1, 24 2 1, 70 9, 14 1 1, 71 7, 78 3 1, 76 6, 04 4 1, 09 5, 63 7 2, 34 2, 00 3 2, 64 1, 21 4 2, 13 0, 46 7 2, 29 8, 07 7 2, 45 4, 98 4 2, 49 8, 49 5 2, 44 4, 00 4 2, 50 5, 32 0 2, 62 5, 65 9 5, 15 3, 40 5 3, 16 4, 09 6 4, 04 3, 50 4 6, 34 3, 89 7 6, 92 2, 31 4 6, 64 4, 98 7 5, 35 9, 39 7 4, 81 2, 87 8 4, 90 6, 17 5 5, 52 3, 68 5 2, 54 1, 44 4 4, 24 3, 49 7 4, 51 0, 58 8 3, 73 4, 36 9 3, 93 3, 26 1 4, 07 3, 54 8 4, 02 9, 19 7 3, 82 2, 62 4 3, 75 0, 22 2 3, 76 0, 28 3 3, 63 7, 08 1 4,29 8, 42 2 5, 13 6, 33 8 7, 81 0, 02 7 8, 41 0, 03 7 8, 16 1, 92 2 7, 00 0, 63 9 6, 52 2, 01 9 6, 62 3, 95 8 7,28 9, 72 9 6, 95 8, 99 5 U.S. CARS CANADIAN CARS

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TRADE DATA

Over $16 billion* in truck trade and over $3 billion in rail trade crossed the Cascade Gateway in 2019, a 3 percent increase in value from the previous year.

*Note these amounts have been adjusted to 2000 U.S.

Dollars for inflation

$53 million (USD) in trade crosses the Cascade Gateway every day

CROSS-BORDER TRADE VALUE

CROSS-BORDER TRADE VALUE

Exports and Imports 2000-2019, truck and rail, in US Dollars

TRUCK RAIL P ac iﬁ c H ig hw ay 20 01 20 03 20 05 20 07 20 09 20 11 20 13 20 15 20 17 20 19 $5,281M $8,463M $5,410M $4,932M 20 01 20 03 20 05 20 07 20 09 20 11 20 13 20 15 20 17 20 19 $249M $738M $1,287M $2,289M Ly nd en /A ld er gr ov e 20 01 20 03 20 05 20 07 20 09 20 11 20 13 20 15 20 17 20 19 $55M $290M $31M $24M 20 01 20 03 20 05 20 07 20 09 20 11 20 13 20 15 20 17 20 19 $0M $4M $0M $0M Su m as /A bb -H un ti ng do n 20 01 20 03 20 05 20 07 20 09 20 11 20 13 20 15 20 17 20 19 $314M $1,239M $881M $1,405M 20 01 20 03 20 05 20 07 20 09 20 11 20 13 20 15 20 17 20 19 $39M _$31M $219M $31M P t R ob er ts /B ou nd ar y B ay 20 01 20 03 20 05 20 07 20 09 20 11 20 13 20 15 20 17 20 19 $3M $4M $6M $4M

Note: All ﬁgures are based on declared trade value and adjusted to 2000 U.S. Dollars, based on U.S. Department of Labor Statistics import and export price indices.

Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (https://www.bts.gov/transborder) ; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ( h�ps://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/survey-most?ei ).. TRUCK RAIL TRUCK RAIL TRUCK U.S. to Canada Canada to U.S.

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COMMODITIES

At some ports, like Lynden southbound, over 60 percent of the commercial vehicles are empty. The opposite is true at Pacific Highway northbound where 92 percent of commercial trucks are loaded.

A quarter of all trucks crossing the border are empty

COMMODITIES & TRUCK TYPES

VEHICLE TYPES Tractor + Van Tractor + Flatbed Car/SUV/Van/Pickup Tractor + Tank Box Truck Tractor + Intermodal Other Vehicle Type Flatbed Truck Lowboy Tractor + Car Carrier Tank Truck Tractor only 39% 18% 15% 9% 6% 5% 3% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% CHARACTERISTICS Empty Loaded 75% 25%

FAST Lane Standard Lane 87% 13% COMMODITIES Other Motor Vehicles Rough Wood Wood Products Agriculture Mineral Products Plastic/Rubber Other Food Waste/Scrap Paper Products Mixed Freight Mail Manufactured Goods Metal Products Base Metal Animal Food 25% 10% 9% 8% 8% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3%

COMMODITIES & TRUCK TYPES (2016)

Data Source: 2016 IMTC Border Freight Operations Study (Western Washington University & Whatcom Council of

Governments); Data Compiled by: Whatcom Council of Governments

Port-of-Entry All

Direction All

Primary commodities crossing the Cascade Gateway are computer-related machinery and parts, wood and wood products, and vehicles.

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WAIT TIMES

The most notable reduction in wait times can be seen in February weekdays southbound, with an average 47 percent decrease in wait times from 2018.

August however showed wait times lengthen in some ports, notably weekdays southbound.

Passenger vehicle wait times dropped an average of 16 percent

between 2019 and 2018.

HOW WAIT TIMES CHANGED SINCE LAST YEAR

2019 vs. 2018, by port, season, and direction, averaged by hour

Summer (Aug)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Winter (Feb)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

P ea ce A rc h/ D ou gl as N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd P ac iﬁ c H ig hw ay N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd Ly nd en /A ld er gr ov e N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd Su m as /A bb -H un ti ng do n N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50 0 50

Data source: Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse (https://www.borderdata.org) Data compiled by: Whatcom Council of Governments

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON

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WAIT TIMES

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON -

PEACE ARCH/DOUGLAS

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON -

PACIFIC HIGHWAY

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON OF BORDER WAIT TIMES

WEEKEND and WEEKDAY, 2015-2019, by season, averaged

by hour; Line denotes cumulative average wait

W IN TE R (F E B ) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 12 ₈ ₈ 27 9 12 ₉ ₈ 15 11 Weekend Weekday SU M M E R (A U G ) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 20 25 22 28 27 15 16 22 26 28 Weekend Weekday

Data source: Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse (https://www.borderdata.org)

Data compiled by: Whatcom Council of Governments

Port Peace Arch/Douglas Paciﬁc Highway Lynden/Aldergrove Sumas/Abb-Huntingdon ONE YEAR COMPARISON

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON OF BORDER WAIT TIMES

WEEKEND and WEEKDAY, 2015-2019, by season, averaged by hour; Line denotes cumulative average wait

W IN TE R (F E B ) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 10 8 7 14 7 10 ₇ ₇ 14 8 Weekend Weekday SU M M E R (A U G ) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 16 17 ₁₅ 20 21 15 16 20 24 31 Weekend Weekday

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WAIT TIMES

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON -

LYNDEN/ALDERGROVE

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON -

SUMAS/ABB.HUNTINGDON

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON OF BORDER WAIT TIMES WEEKEND and WEEKDAY, 2015-2019, by season, averaged by hour; Line denotes cumulative average wait

W IN TE R (F E B ) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 12 4 4 7 5 2 1 1 3 2 Weekend Weekday SU M M E R (A U G ) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 12 11 ₇ 10 ₈ 4 4 6 8 9 Weekend Weekday

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON OF BORDER WAIT TIMES WEEKEND and WEEKDAY, 2015-2019, by season, averaged by hour; Line denotes cumulative average wait

W IN TE R (F E B ) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 10 ₈ ₆ ₆ 5 1 0 2 4 3 Weekend Weekday SU M M E R (A U G ) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M 9 A M 12 P M 3 P M 6 P M 9 P M N or th bo un d So ut hb ou nd 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 0 20 40 60 D el ay [i n M in ut es ] 13 ₁₀ 12 12 14 3 5 7 9 13 Weekend Weekday

Data source: Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse (https://www.borderdata.org) Data compiled by: Whatcom Council of Governments

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TRAVEL TRENDS

Data collected during the 2018/2019 IMTC Passenger Intercept Survey asked questions of cross-border travelers that provide insights into regional travel trends.

Over a third of cross-border travelers cross weekly.

80% of cross-border travelers use the land ports-of-entry at least

once a month.

CANADIAN CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL TRENDS

For Canadians travelling to the U.S., the majority of trips are short – under twelve hours, predominantly for shopping and purchasing gas. In the winter, 64 percent of travelers used a NEXUS card.

For U.S. residents heading north, the primary trip purposes are for vacation, recreation, and family. Trips are typically longer than a day.

CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL TRENDS

2018 & 2019, all ports-of-entry except Pt. Roberts/Boundary Bay Use ﬁlters to drill

down data. Hover over data points for more information. Residence Canada USA Season All Weekday/Weekend All Port

Peace Arch - Douglas Paciﬁc Highway Lynden-Aldergrove Sumas-Abb.Hunt

NEXUS Enhanced Drivers License Permanent Resident Card Non-Immigrant Visa Other U.S. Passport Card Global Entry Card

60% 27% 6% 2% 4% 1% 0% What DOCUMENT used?

Application a hassle Application in process Cost of card Do not cross enough Do not want to Meaning to No reason/don't know Non-NEXUS passenger Not eligible Other Unfamiliar with NEXUS

13% 23% 17% 5% 2% 4% 1% Why no NEXUS? Have passport No reason/other Unfamiliar with EDLs Yes, I have one already It's a hassle Have NEXUS Cost of card Plan to get one

37% 32% 17% 9% 2% 1% 1% 1% Why no EDL? 1 2 3 4 5+ 45% 39% 8% 6% 2%

How many PASSENGERS in your vehicle? No Sometimes Yes 35% 57% 8%

Do you use BORDER WAIT SIGNS? No Not sure Sometimes Yes 22% 24% 18% 37% Are border signs ACCURATE?

Data Source: 2018/2019 IMTC Passenger Vehicle Intercept Survey Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments

Shopping Purchase Gas Recreation Mail Vacation Family Visit Other Business Work Commute Airport School Religious Event Doctor/Dentist 28% 15% 12% 2% 1% 1% 0% WHY do you cross?

Once a week or more Twice a month Once a month 2-5 times a year Once a year Rarely 26% 25% 24% 22% 3% 1% HOW OFTEN do you cross? Under an hour 1-2 hours 3-12 hours 1 day 2-6 days A week or more 32% 28% 12% 14% 9% 4% HOW LONG was your trip?

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TRAVEL TRENDS

U.S. CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL TRENDS

CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL TRENDS

2018 & 2019, all ports-of-entry except Pt. Roberts/Boundary Bay

Use ﬁlters to drill down data. Hover over data points for more information. Residence Canada USA Season All Weekday/Weekend All Port

Peace Arch - Douglas Paciﬁc Highway Lynden-Aldergrove Sumas-Abb.Hunt

NEXUS Enhanced Drivers License Permanent Resident Card Non-Immigrant Visa Other U.S. Passport Card Global Entry Card

28% 42% 7% 3% 7% 9% 5% What DOCUMENT used?

Application a hassle Application in process Cost of card Do not cross enough Do not want to Meaning to No reason/don't know Non-NEXUS passenger Not eligible Other Unfamiliar with NEXUS

43% 10% 7% 4% 7% 9% 3% Why no NEXUS? Have passport No reason/other Unfamiliar with EDLs Yes, I have one already Plan to get one It's a hassle Cost of card Have NEXUS 36% 31% 16% 10% 3% 2% 1% 0% Why no EDL? 1 2 3 4 10 5+ 13 33% 38% 14% 10% 0% 5% 0%

How many PASSENGERS in your vehicle? No Sometimes Yes 30% 65% 5%

Do you use BORDER WAIT SIGNS? No Not sure Sometimes Yes 23% 26% 16% 35% Are border signs ACCURATE?

Vacation Recreation Family Visit Business Shopping Other Work Commute Airport Religious Event School Doctor/Dentist Purchase Gas Mail 31% 21% 4% 3% 3% 1% 0% WHY do you cross?

Once a week or more Twice a month Once a month 2-5 times a year Once a year Rarely 37% 48% 2% 3% 6% 5% HOW OFTEN do you cross? Under an hour 1-2 hours 3-12 hours 1 day 2-6 days A week or more 20% 27% 38% 2% 4% 8% HOW LONG was your trip?

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PASSENGER VEHICLE

ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

Even in the summer, the majority of trips are taken by Canadians who live near the border (Surrey, Abbotsford, White Rock, Langley) and go to locations in Whatcom County (Bellingham, Blaine, Sumas, and Lynden). However there is more variety in where Canadians are destined in the U.S. For Canadians travelling to the U.S., the majority of trips are same-day – under twelve hours,

Short trips across the border dominate.

CANADIAN ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

predominantly for shopping and purchasing gas. In the winter, 64 percent of vehicles used a NEXUS card. For U.S. residents heading north, the primary trip purposes are for vacation, recreation, and family visits. Trips are typically longer than a day. In the winter, Canadians predominately stick to Western Washington. The majority of Canadian resident destinations

continue to be in Whatcom County, or else along the I-5 corridor to Everett and Seattle.

CANADIAN DESTINATIONS IN THE U.S. (SUMMER) 2019, all ports-of-entry

Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam

Langley (Township) North Vancouver Langley (City) Maple Ridge White Rock Abbotsford Vancouver BC (Other) Chilliwack Richmond Burnaby Surrey Delta

Snohomish County (Other)

Whatcom County (Other)Washington (West) Washington (East) Bellingham Mt. Vernon USA (Rest) Birch Bay Deming Oregon Seattle Lynden Sumas Blaine

Data Source: 2018/2019 IMTC Passenger Vehicle Intercept Survey

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PASSENGER VEHICLE

ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

CANADIAN ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

CANADIAN DESTINATIONS IN THE U.S. (WINTER)

2019, all ports-of-entry

Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam

Langley (Township) New Westminster North Vancouver West Vancouver Maple Ridge Port Moody White Rock Abbotsford Aldergrove Cloverdale Vancouver BC (Other) Chilliwack Richmond Burnaby Surrey Delta

Whatcom County (Other) Everett-Tulalip Casino Washington (West) Bellingham Mt. Vernon Bellevue Oregon Seattle Lynden Sumas Blaine

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PASSENGER VEHICLE

ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

U.S. ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

U.S. DESTINATIONS IN CANADA (SUMMER)

2019, Peace Arch/Douglas, Paciﬁc Highway, Lynden/Aldergrove, and Sumas/Abb.-Huntingdon Ports-of-Entry combined

Whatcom County (Other) Skagit County (Other)

King County (Other)

Washington (West) Washington (East) USA (Other) Bellingham Lynnwood California Redmond Ferndale Bellevue Oregon Seattle Lynden Blaine Langley (City) White Rock Abbotsford Vancouver BC (Other) Richmond Whistler Burnaby Victoria Surrey

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PASSENGER VEHICLE

ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

U.S. ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

U.S. DESTINATIONS IN CANADA (WINTER)

2019, all ports-of-entry

Whatcom County (Other) Skagit County (Other)

King County (Other)

Washington (West) Bellingham USA (Rest) Lynnwood California Ferndale Bellevue Kirkland Tacoma Oregon Seattle Bothell Lynden

Blaine _{Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam}

Langley (Township) New Westminster Langley (City) White Rock Abbotsford Vancouver BC (Other) Chilliwack Richmond Whistler Burnaby Surrey

2020 DATA DIGEST THE INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY & TRADE CORRIDOR PROGRAM

2020

DATA DIGEST

THE INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY & TRADE CORRIDOR PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

An interactive version of all the data in this publication is available

online at: www.theimtc.com/border-data/intro .

NATIONAL RANKING

The Cascade Gateway is a system of border crossings of national

significance.

PERSONAL VEHICLES

NATIONAL RANKING

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

PEDESTRIANS

TRAIN PASSENGERS

NATIONAL RANKING

TRAFFIC VOLUMES

Traffic has decreased by 4 percent since 2018.

NORTHBOUND VOLUMES

SOUTHBOUND VOLUMES

NEXUS USAGE

Nearly 50% of all vehicles crossing the border between Blaine and

Surrey use NEXUS

NEXUS V. STANDARD VEHICLE USAGE

EXCHANGE RATE & VOLUME

The exchange rate influences cross-border volume

EXCHANGE RATE & NORTHBOUND VEHICLE VOLUMES

TRADE DATA

$53 million (USD) in trade crosses the Cascade Gateway every day

CROSS-BORDER TRADE VALUE

COMMODITIES

A quarter of all trucks crossing the border are empty

COMMODITIES & TRUCK TYPES

WAIT TIMES

Passenger vehicle wait times dropped an average of 16 percent

between 2019 and 2018.

WAIT TIMES

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON -

PEACE ARCH/DOUGLAS

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON -

PACIFIC HIGHWAY

WAIT TIMES

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON -

LYNDEN/ALDERGROVE

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON -

SUMAS/ABB.HUNTINGDON

TRAVEL TRENDS

80% of cross-border travelers use the land ports-of-entry at least

once a month.

CANADIAN CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL TRENDS

TRAVEL TRENDS

U.S. CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL TRENDS

PASSENGER VEHICLE

ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

Short trips across the border dominate.

CANADIAN ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

PASSENGER VEHICLE

ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

CANADIAN ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

PASSENGER VEHICLE

ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

U.S. ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

PASSENGER VEHICLE

ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

U.S. ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS