2020-Border-Data-Digest

2020 DATA DIGEST THE INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY & TRADE CORRIDOR PROGRAM

IMTC is led by the Whatcom Council of Governments An interactive version of all the data in this publication 314 E. Champion Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 is available online at: www.theimtc.com. (360) 685-8385 [email protected] www.theimtc.com 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 2 INTRODUCTION

Every year, the Whatcom Council of of the studies, analyses, and cross-border statistics Governments (WCOG) publishes a that we compile to monitor the performance of border compilation of data on how the Cascade transportation do not seem pertinent to the border Gateway system of land ports-of-entry has activity we currently see. These are not normal times. changed over the last year. Yet it is important to look at how the Cascade Gateway This year, it is difficult to compile statistics appeared in 2019 prior to the coronavirus epidemic from 2019 without thinking about how so we can use this information to better anticipate shockingly different these figures will be in how changes in 2020 will impact the people and the 2020. The land ports-of-entry closed to all economy of our region. We hope this information will but essential traffic on March 21, 2020 due be useful for those attempting to model, forecast, and to the coronavirus epidemic, and are still identify trends. closed as of the writing of this report. Many

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

NATIONAL RANKING 4

TRAFFIC VOLUMES 7

NEXUS USAGE 8

EXCHANGE RATE & VOLUME 9

TRADE DATA 10

COMMODITIES 11

TRAVEL TRENDS 15

ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS 17

An interactive version of all the data in this publication is available online at: www.theimtc.com/border-data/intro . 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 3 NATIONAL RANKING

The Cascade Gateway is a system of border crossings of national significance.

It’s ports-of-entry service major trade routes Sumas and Point Roberts are second only to for each country and are some of the busiest Niagara Falls for pedestrian traffic due to high crossings in the nation. numbers of Canadians crossing on foot to pick up parcels in the U.S. Blaine (Peace Arch and Pacific Highway) ranks second for buses, third for And the Amtrak Cascades has the greatest passenger vehicles, and fourth for international passenger rail ridership of any train commercial vehicles across the U.S.— service in the U.S. Canada border.

PERSONAL VEHICLES

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

Buﬀalo-Niagara Falls, NY 4,857,694 Detroit, MI 4,474,933 Blaine, WA 3,961,462 Port Huron, MI 1,461,765 Champlain-Rouses Point, NY 1,018,162 Point Roberts, WA 958,558 Sumas, WA 880,346

Massena, NY 872,880 Mode Calais, ME 664,385 Personal Vehicles Sault Sainte Marie, MI 656,760 Trucks Alexandria Bay, NY 593,212 Buses Pedestrians Lynden, WA 579,535 Train Passengers Derby Line, VT 481,798 Highgate Springs-Alburg, VT 479,298 Madawaska, ME 366,016 International Falls-Ranier, MN 365,697 Ogdensburg, NY 291,973 Pembina, ND 250,900 Houlton, ME 221,594 Sweetgrass, MT 186,088

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics Note: Data for southbound direction only 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 4 NATIONAL RANKING

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

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

Detroit, MI 1,541,294 Buﬀalo-Niagara Falls, NY 904,788 Port Huron, MI 808,541 Blaine, WA 369,777 Champlain-Rouses Point, NY 298,365 Pembina, ND 219,927 Alexandria Bay, NY 192,589

Sumas, WA 154,508 Mode Sweetgrass, MT 140,803 Personal Vehicles Highgate Springs-Alburg, VT 98,226 Trucks Derby Line, VT 90,807 Buses Pedestrians Houlton, ME 90,051 Train Passengers Calais, ME 65,612 Lynden, WA 44,442 Ogdensburg, NY 40,558 Sault Sainte Marie, MI 39,979 Massena, NY 25,949 International Falls-Ranier, MN 16,416 Point Roberts, WA 11,851 Madawaska, ME 2,141

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

PEDESTRIANS

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

Buﬀalo-Niagara Falls, NY 384,676 Sumas, WA 60,125 Point Roberts, WA 27,992 International Falls-Ranier, MN 9,837 Calais, ME 7,565 Port Huron, MI 4,416 Champlain-Rouses Point, NY 4,102

Sweetgrass, MT 3,153 Mode Lynden, WA 962 Personal Vehicles Madawaska, ME 887 Trucks Detroit, MI 478 Buses Pedestrians Derby Line, VT 343 Train Passengers Houlton, ME 269 Massena, NY 225

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics Note: Data for southbound direction only 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 5 NATIONAL RANKING

TRAIN PASSENGERS

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

Blaine, WA 85,561 Champlain-Rouses Point, NY 37,866 Buﬀalo-Niagara Falls, NY 17,116 International Falls-Ranier, MN 8,472 Port Huron, MI 6,309 Detroit, MI 5,379 Pembina, ND 2,900

Sweetgrass, MT 2,325 Mode Sault Sainte Marie, MI 710 Personal Vehicles Sumas, WA 576 Trucks Highgate Springs-Alburg, VT 524 Buses Pedestrians Calais, ME 368 Train Passengers

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics Note: Data for southbound direction only 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 6 TRAFFIC VOLUMES

Traffic has decreased by 4 percent since 2018.

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.

NORTHBOUND VOLUMES SOUTHBOUND VOLUMES

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

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

2018 2019 2018 2019 6,712,721 6,444,064 600K 6,652,462 6,379,144 600K 2019 2019 -4% -4% 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 500K 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2018 2 2 2 2 500K 2018 9% 9% 3% Show More Show More -8% Show Less -8% -1% Show Less -4% 400K -4% 400K

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Truck Volumes Truck Volumes 50K 2018 2019 2018 2019 543,329 537,375 588,302 580,577 -1% -1% 50K

2019 45K 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 2019 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 9% 9% 45K 3% 40K -8% -8% -1% 2018 -4% 2018 -4% 40K

Direction Port-of-Entry Data Sources: Canada Border Services Agency, Direction Port-of-Entry Data Sources: Canada Border Services Agency, Northbound Peace Arch/Douglas U.S. Customs & Border Protection Northbound Peace Arch/Douglas U.S. Customs & Border Protection Southbound Paciﬁc Highway Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Southbound Paciﬁc Highway Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Lynden/Aldergrove Governments Lynden/Aldergrove Governments Sumas/Abb-Huntingdon Sumas/Abb-Huntingdon Pt Roberts/Boundary Bay Pt Roberts/Boundary Bay 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 7 NEXUS USAGE

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

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.

NEXUS V. STANDARD VEHICLE USAGE

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

NORTHBOUND

Peace Arch - Paciﬁc Lynden-Alder- Sumas-Abb.Hunt- Pt Roberts - Douglas Highway grove ingdon Boundary Bay

50% 44% 18% 26% 49%

SOUTHBOUND

Peace Arch - Paciﬁc Sumas-Abb.Hunt- Pt Roberts - Douglas Highway ingdon Boundary Bay

53% 39% 18% 38%

Data sources: Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Customs & Border Protection; Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 8 EXCHANGE RATE & VOLUME

The exchange rate influences cross-border 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.

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

0.94 0.97 0.99 0.91 E 0.88 1.00 0.97 0.94 0.77 0.77 0.72 0.88

R A T 0.67 0.83 0.77 0.78 0.75 0.75 E

G 0.65 0.64 A N C H X E 7 2 0 , 7 0 3 1 0 2 9 , 8 , 2 2 0 7 9 7 1 , , 9 4 5 1 9 , 3 9 6 8 8 6 , 9 1 2 , , , 0 8 8 8 7 0 9 5 5 0 1 9 , 9 , , 0 7 , 3 6 2 2 2 6 , 5 , 6 CANADIAN CARS 6

Y U.S. CARS 8 T 3 3 , 6 3 A L I 1 4 , 8 7 1 5 8 8 5 2 7 , 3 , 7 2 , 9 0 9 2 5 9 4 O N 8 1 4 , 4 2 7 8 5 , , 8 I 4 5 7 8 4 9 1 , 0 3 5 3 , 9 , 6 9 1 9 6 , 4 4 5 4 , , 6 3 8 2 4 9 2 6 3 2 3 2 , 4 , 2 9 7 , 8 , 3 , 6 2 6 7 1 7 6 2 4 2 3 3 , 2 , 3 4 3 2 A T 8 9 0 , , 1 , , 0 3 , 2 5 , 8 , 6 0 , 5 0 5 4 0 6 , 9 4 2 4 , 2 6 5 3 5 , 1 7 N 8 0 3 , 3 , 7 1 7 7 3 , 5 , , 3 5 6 , 9 3 3 3 , , 8 Y 4 3 4 4 B 4 1 3

0 0 , 2 4 E , 5 5 7 1 , 0 8 6 3 7 9 7 4 2 9 4 4 6 , 9 4 0 , 4 , 0 , 6 0 9 4 , 0 , 0 , 4 2 8 4 8 2 , 3 5 5 4 , 0 4 0 9 4 9 2 , 3 6 4 , 6 3 , 4 5 , 4 , 4 , 2 4 5 2 , 1 , 1 0 2 1 2 2 3 , 4 2 4 , 5 2 , 6 2 , 5 V O L U M 2 2 4 4 0 4 1 3 9 4 4 2 7 2 9 4 2 5 0 3 4 8 8 6 4 0 0 , 4 0 3 2 , 3 3 2 , 5 , 0 4 6 2 , 1 , 7 4 7 1 , 1 , 5 0 , 2 9 , 9 5 6 , 7 2 , 9 2 , 1 , 7 9 7 3 3 0 5 8 1 , 6 6 3 0 6 0 6 , 9 6 7 0 1 , 6 , 3 3 1 4 8 0 , 8 , 6 , 9 3 1 4 , 8 6 8 , 8 , 7 4 4 7 , 7 , 7 2 5 1 , 6 , 6 4 , 6 1 , 6 1 1 , 5 3 , 5 3 , 4 , 4 1 1 9 9 1 1 1 , 3 1 1 1 , 2 1 1 , 1 , 1 1 , 0 , 0 1 1 1 1 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

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 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 9 TRADE DATA

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

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

CROSS-BORDER TRADE VALUE

CROSS-BORDER TRADE VALUE U.S. to Canada Exports and Imports 2000-2019, truck and rail, in US Dollars Canada to U.S.

TRUCK RAIL

$2,289M $8,463M $5,410M h w a y g i

H $4,932M $1,287M $5,281M

c $738M ﬁ

i $249M a c P 9 9 7 7 5 5 3 3 1 1 9 9 7 7 5 5 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

TRUCK RAIL

$4M e v $290M r o e r g d l / A

e n $55M d $31M $24M $0M $0M y n L 9 9 7 7 5 5 3 3 1 1 9 9 7 7 5 5 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

TRUCK RAIL

n $219M o

d $1,405M g

n $881M i t

u n $1,239M H -

b $314M $39M

b $31M

/ A $31M a s 1 3 5 7 9 1 3 5 7 9 1 3 5 7 9 1 3 5 7 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 S u m 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

TRUCK

a y Note: All ﬁgures are based on declared trade value and B adjusted to 2000 U.S. Dollars, based on U.S. a r y

d Department of Labor Statistics import and export price

u n indices. o $6M

/ B $4M Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics s $4M (https://www.bts.gov/transborder) ; U.S. Bureau of e r t $3M b Labor Statistics (h�ps://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/survey- 1 3 5 7 9 1 3 5 7 9 R o

0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1

t most?ei ).. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 P 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 10 COMMODITIES

A quarter of all trucks crossing the border are empty

At some ports, like Lynden southbound, Primary commodities crossing the Cascade Gateway over 60 percent of the commercial vehicles are computer-related machinery and parts, wood and are empty. The opposite is true at Pacific wood products, and vehicles. Highway northbound where 92 percent of commercial trucks are loaded.

COMMODITIES & TRUCK TYPES

COMMODITIES & TRUCK TYPES (2016)

Port-of-Entry Direction All All

CHARACTERISTICS

Empty Loaded FAST Lane Standard Lane 25% 75% 13% 87%

VEHICLE TYPES

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

COMMODITIES

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

Data Source: 2016 IMTC Border Freight Operations Study (Western Washington University & Whatcom Council of Governments); Data Compiled by: Whatcom Council of Governments 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 11 WAIT TIMES

Passenger vehicle wait times dropped an average of 16 percent between 2019 and 2018. 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.

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON TWO YEAR WAIT TIME COMPARISON HOW WAIT TIMES CHANGED SINCE LAST YEAR 2019 vs. 2018, by port, season, and direction, averaged by hour

Summer (Aug) Winter (Feb) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat d u n o a s

l 50 h b u g r t o D

N o 0 h / d r c A u n e o 50 h b e a c P u t

S o 0 d u n o 50 h b r t h w a y g N o i 0 H

d c ﬁ i u n o

a c 50 P h b u t

S o 0 d u n e o

v 50 h b r o r t e r g N o d 0 l d / A u n e n o d 50 h b y n L u t

S o 0 d n o u n d o

g 50 n h b i t r t u n N o

H 0 - b d b u n / A o 50 a s h b u t S u m

S o 0

Data source: Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse (https://www.borderdata.org) Data compiled by: Whatcom Council of Governments 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 12 WAIT TIMES

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON - FIVE YEAR COMPARISON - PEACE ARCH/DOUGLAS PACIFIC HIGHWAY

ONE YEAR ONE YEAR Port COMPARISON Port COMPARISON Peace Arch/Douglas Peace Arch/Douglas Paciﬁc Highway FIVE YEAR COMPARISON OF BORDER WAIT TIMES Paciﬁc Highway FIVE YEAR COMPARISON OF BORDER WAIT TIMES Lynden/Aldergrove Lynden/Aldergrove WEEKEND and WEEKDAY, 2015-2019, by season, averaged Sumas/Abb-Huntingdon WEEKEND and WEEKDAY, 2015-2019, by season, averaged Sumas/Abb-Huntingdon by hour; Line denotes cumulative average wait by hour; Line denotes cumulative average wait

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 60 60 ] ] Weekend

Weekend s s e e t d t d Weekday Weekday n u u n n u u n

o 40

o 40 n M i h b n M i h b 27 i i [ r t [ r t y y a

a 20 l 20 ) 14 N o l ) N o

12 e 10 e 8 9 8 7 8 D 7 D 0 0 ( F E B ( F E B

] 60 E R

] 60 E R s s T T e e d t N d t N n u u n n u u n W I W I o 40

o 40 n M i h b n M i h b i i [ [ u t u t y y a

a 20

20 15 l 14 S o l S o

12 e e 9 11 10 7 8 8 D 7 D 0 0 M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P A A A A A P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P A A A A A 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 60 60 ] ] Weekend Weekend s s e e t d t d Weekday Weekday n u u n n u u n

o 40

o 40 n M i h b n M i h b 28 27 i i 25 [ r t [ 22 r t 20 21 20 y y 17 a 16 a

l 20 15 N o

l 20 N o G ) G ) e e U D U D ( A

( A 0 0

E R

E R 60 60 ] ] s s M M e e d t d t M M n u u n n u u n S U o 40 S U o 40 31 n M i 28 h b n M i h b i i 26 24 [ [

22 u t

u t 20 y y

a 16

a 16 20 15 20 15 l S o l S o e e D D 0 0 M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P A A A A A P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P A A A A A 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Data source: Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse (https://www.borderdata.org) Data source: Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse (https://www.borderdata.org) Data compiled by: Whatcom Council of Governments Data compiled by: Whatcom Council of Governments 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 13 WAIT TIMES

FIVE YEAR COMPARISON - FIVE YEAR COMPARISON - LYNDEN/ALDERGROVE SUMAS/ABB.HUNTINGDON

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 60 60 ] ] Weekend

Weekend s s e e t d t d Weekday Weekday n u u n n u u n

o 40

o 40 n M i h b n M i h b i i [ r t [ r t y y a

a 20 l 20 ) N o l ) N o 12 e e 10 8 D 6 D 7 4 4 5 6 5 0 0 ( F E B ( F E B

] 60 E R

] 60 E R s s T T e e d t N d t N n u u n n u u n W I W I o 40

o 40 n M i h b n M i h b i i [ [ u t u t y y a

a 20

20 l S o l S o e e D D 3 2 4 3 0 2 1 1 2 0 1 0 M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P A A A A A P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P A A A A A 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 60 60 ] ] Weekend Weekend s s e e t d t d Weekday Weekday n u u n n u u n

o 40

o 40 n M i h b n M i h b i i [ r t [ r t y y a a

l 20

N o 14

l 20

N o 13 G ) 12 G ) 12 e 12 e 11 10 10 U D

U 8 D 7 ( A

( A 0 0

E R

E R 60 60 ] ] s s M M e e d t d t M M n u u n n u u n S U o 40 S U o 40 n M i h b n M i h b i i [ [ u t u t y y a

a 20 20 l S o l

S o 13 e e 9 9 8 D 7 D 4 4 6 3 5 0 0 M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P A A A A A P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P A A A A A 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

80% of cross-border travelers use the land ports-of-entry at least once a month. Data collected during the 2018/2019 IMTC For Canadians travelling to the U.S., the majority of Passenger Intercept Survey asked questions trips are short – under twelve hours, predominantly for of cross-border travelers that provide insights shopping and purchasing gas. In the winter, 64 percent into regional travel trends. of travelers used a NEXUS card.

Over a third of cross-border travelers cross For U.S. residents heading north, the primary trip weekly. purposes are for vacation, recreation, and family. Trips are typically longer than a day.

CANADIAN CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL TRENDS

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

Use ﬁlters to drill Residence Season Weekday/Weekend Port down data. Hover Canada All All Peace Arch - Douglas over data points USA Paciﬁc Highway for more Lynden-Aldergrove information. Sumas-Abb.Hunt

WHY do you cross? HOW OFTEN do you HOW LONG was your trip?

Shopping cross? 28% Under an hour 32% Purchase Gas Recreation 15% Once a week or more 26% Mail 1-2 hours 9% Vacation 12% Twice a month 25% Family Visit 3-12 hours 28% Other 2% Once a month 24% Business 1 day 12% Work Commute 1% 2-5 times a year 22% Airport 3% 2-6 days 14% School 1% Once a year Religious Event Rarely 1% A week or more 4% Doctor/Dentist 0%

What DOCUMENT used? Why no NEXUS? Why no EDL?

NEXUS 60% Application a hassle 13% Have passport 37% Application in process No reason/other 32% Enhanced Drivers License 27% Cost of card 5% Do not cross enough 23% Unfamiliar with EDLs 17% Permanent Resident Card 6% Do not want to Yes, I have one already 9% Non-Immigrant Visa 2% Meaning to 17% 2% No reason/don't know It's a hassle Other 4% Non-NEXUS passenger 2% Have NEXUS 1% Not eligible 4% U.S. Passport Card 1% Cost of card 1% Other Global Entry Card 0% Unfamiliar with NEXUS 1% Plan to get one 1%

How many PASSENGERS Do you use BORDER WAIT Are border signs in your vehicle? SIGNS? ACCURATE?

No 22% 1 45% No 35% Sometimes 8% Not sure 24% 2 39% Sometimes 18% Yes 57% Yes 37% 3 8%

4 6%

5+ 2%

Data Source: 2018/2019 IMTC Passenger Vehicle Intercept Survey Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 15 TRAVEL TRENDS

U.S. CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL TRENDS

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

WHY do you cross? HOW OFTEN do you HOW LONG was your trip?

Vacation cross? 31% Under an hour 2% Recreation Family Visit 21% Once a week or more 2% Business 4% 1-2 hours 4% Shopping Twice a month 3% Other 3% 3-12 hours 20% Work Commute Once a month 37% Airport 3% 1 day 27% Religious Event 2-5 times a year 48% School 1% 6% 2-6 days 38% Doctor/Dentist Once a year Purchase Gas 0% Rarely 5% A week or more 8% Mail

What DOCUMENT used? Why no NEXUS? Why no EDL?

NEXUS 28% Application a hassle 7% Have passport 36% Application in process No reason/other 31% Enhanced Drivers License 42% Cost of card 4% Do not cross enough 43% Unfamiliar with EDLs 16% Permanent Resident Card 7% 7% Do not want to Yes, I have one already 10% Non-Immigrant Visa 3% Meaning to 3% No reason/don't know 9% Plan to get one Other 7% Non-NEXUS passenger It's a hassle 2% Not eligible 3% U.S. Passport Card 9% Cost of card 1% Other Global Entry Card 5% Unfamiliar with NEXUS 10% Have NEXUS 0%

How many PASSENGERS Do you use BORDER WAIT Are border signs in your vehicle? SIGNS? ACCURATE?

1 33% No 30% No 23% 2 38% Sometimes 5% Not sure 26% Sometimes 16% 3 14% Yes 65% Yes 35% 4 10% 10 0% 5+ 5% 13 0%

Data Source: 2018/2019 IMTC Passenger Vehicle Intercept Survey Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 16 PASSENGER VEHICLE ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS Short trips across the border dominate. Even in the summer, the majority of trips are predominantly for shopping and purchasing gas. In the taken by Canadians who live near the border winter, 64 percent of vehicles used a NEXUS card. (Surrey, Abbotsford, White Rock, Langley) and go to locations in Whatcom County For U.S. residents heading north, the primary trip (Bellingham, Blaine, Sumas, and Lynden). purposes are for vacation, recreation, and family visits. However there is more variety in where Trips are typically longer than a day. In the winter, Canadians are destined in the U.S. For Canadians predominately stick to Western Washington. Canadians travelling to the U.S., the majority The majority of Canadian resident destinations of trips are same-day – under twelve hours, continue to be in Whatcom County, or else along the I-5 corridor to Everett and Seattle.

CANADIAN ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

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

Abbotsford

Bellingham BC (Other)

Burnaby

Chilliwack Birch Bay Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam

Delta

Langley (City)

Langley (Township) Blaine Maple Ridge

North Vancouver Richmond Deming

Lynden Surrey Mt. Vernon Oregon

Seattle

Snohomish County (Other)

Vancouver Sumas

USA (Rest) Washington (East) White Rock Washington (West) Whatcom County (Other)

Data Source: 2018/2019 IMTC Passenger Vehicle Intercept Survey Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 17 PASSENGER VEHICLE ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS CANADIAN ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

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

Bellevue Abbotsford Aldergrove BC (Other)

Burnaby

Chilliwack Bellingham Cloverdale Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam

Delta

Langley (Township)

Maple Ridge New Westminster North Vancouver Port Moody Richmond

Blaine

Surrey

Everett-Tulalip Casino

Lynden

Mt. Vernon Oregon

Vancouver Seattle

West Vancouver Sumas White Rock WhWatacsohmin Cgotoun t(yW (eOstth)er)

Data Source: 2018/2019 IMTC Passenger Vehicle Intercept Survey Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 18 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

Bellevue Abbotsford

Bellingham

BC (Other)

Blaine

Burnaby California

Langley (City) Ferndale

King County (Other) Richmond

Lynden Surrey Lynnwood

Oregon Redmond

Seattle

Vancouver

Skagit County (Other) Snohomish County (Other)

USA (Other)

Victoria Washington (East)

Whistler Washington (West)

White Rock Whatcom County (Other)

Data Source: 2018/2019 IMTC Passenger Vehicle Intercept Survey Data Compiled By: Whatcom Council of Governments 2020 BORDER DATA DIGEST 19 PASSENGER VEHICLE ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS U.S. ORIGINS & DESTINATIONS

U.S. DESTINATIONS IN CANADA (WINTER) 2019, all ports-of-entry

Bellevue Abbotsford

Bellingham BC (Other)

Burnaby Chilliwack Blaine Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam

Bothell Langley (City) California Langley (Township) New Westminster Ferndale Richmond King County (Other) Kirkland Lynden Surrey Lynnwood

Oregon

Seattle Vancouver

Skagit County (Other) Snohomish County (Other) Tacoma

USA (Rest)

Whistler Washington (West)

White Rock Whatcom County (Other)

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