Impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement on Transportation in the Border Areas of the United States

Abstract:

The Norman Y. Mineta International Institute for Surface Transportation Policy Studies (IISTPS) at San Jos. State University conducted this study to identify impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on transportation in the U.S. border areas, with emphasis on the California-Baja California border zone. Major focus was placed on the identification of recommendations to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to improve the ability of that organization to identify and accelerate short-term implementation of the needed infrastructure improvements. The subjects covered include a literature review, identification of issues in the form of questions, discussion of the questions, and categorization of the questions as:

1. Issues not appropriate for further consideration in this study,

2. Issues recommended for action at a later date,

3. Issues addressed by others, and

4 Issues recommended for short-term action.

A summary of the categorization of all the questions appears in a matrix at the end of Chapter 4, with the details presented in the body of the report. Finally, Category 4 issues, those recommended for action, are further addressed with recommendations and a brief action plan, if appropriate. The appendices include a review of work in progress, and several reference documents.

Publications:

Impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement on Transportation in the Border Areas of the United States: With Emphasis on the California-Mexico Border. (1.2MB)

Authors:

GEORGE E. GRAY

George E. Gray is a transportation consultant and a retired employee of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). He has 50 years experience in the transportation field. The first 15 years were in highway planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations. Most of his subsequent work was for Caltrans in public transportation, transportation planning, and administration. He has also worked in the private sector and as an advisor on public transportation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation.

Mr. Gray is a registered professional engineer, a Life Member in the Association of State Civil Engineers (ASCE), and has been active in the Transportation Research Board (TRB) for 27 years. He is co-editor with Dr. Lester A. Hoel of the textbook, Public Transportation, is author of numerous transportation reports, and has developed training and education programs in transportation. George Gray holds a BS CE from Stanford University, an MPA from California State University, San Diego (now San Diego State University), and an ME in transportation planning from the University of California, Davis. His last four years with Caltrans in the San Diego District as Deputy District Director included responsibility for transportation planning, privatization, environmental studies, and California-Baja California border transportation issues.

Published:

August 1999

Keywords:

NAFTA

Transportation planning

U.S. Mexico border

International borders

International trade

Ports of entry policy

Transportation policy

Privatization