PUBLICATION

2MTI Report 99-02
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.

In recognition of identified and suspected border area transportation needs, in late 1995 the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Norman Y. Mineta International Institute for Surface Transportation Policy Studies (IISTPS) agreed that a review of the NAFTA-induced surface transportation policy issues along the U.S.-Mexico border was in order. Further, it was agreed that such a study should emphasize the impacts of NAFTA on the transportation systems in California, that NAFTA policy issues should be liberally interpreted, and that emphasis should be given to recommendations that could be implemented at Caltrans discretion.

This study finds that along the U.S.-Mexico border, the enactment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has accelerated the growth of U.S.- Mexico trade, and indications are that this growth will continue indefinitely.

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

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 B.S. C.E. from Stanford University, an M.P.A. from California State University, San Diego (now San Diego State University), and an M.E. 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.

TECHNICAL
MTI Report 99-02
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.
Principal Investigator: George E. Gray
Published: August 1999
Keywords: NAFTA, Transportation planning, U.S. Mexico border, International borders, International trade, Ports of entry policy, Transportation policy, Privatization
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