Project status: Completed 2008
IMTC participants have identified the need to periodically evaluate trip details of passenger vehicle travelers crossing at the Cascade Gateway ports-of-entry. These surveys help inform regional investment strategies, and provide insight into travel trends.
This study conducted surveys of cross-border passenger vehicles at four land ports-of-entry between Western Washington State and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia – commonly referred to as the Cascade Gateway. The project was advanced by the International Mobility and Trade Corridor Program (IMTC). Surveys have been conducted roughly every five years, in 2000, in 2007/2008, and 2013/2014.
Interviews were conducted both directions at the four primary land ports-of-entry between the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and Whatcom County, Washington (Peace Arch/Douglas, Pacific Highway, Lynden/Aldergrove, and Sumas/Abbotsford-Huntingdon).
The main objective of the survey was to update regional travel characteristics with current trip purpose, origin-destination, and other traveler information, and to compare these data with results from previous years.
In addition to general questions asked in all prior and subsequent surveys, the 2007/2008 effort collected information relating to strategies for promoting the NEXUS trusted traveler program as well as questions pertaining to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
Summer season surveys were administered in July of 2007 and Winter surveys were done in February 2008 (to collect baseline February traffic patterns prior to the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC.) Coverage included weekdays and weekend days in both directions at all four ports-of-entry between 7:00am and 9:00pm. A complete survey database is available as well as a report summarizing observed changes and trends.
The cost of the project was $90,000 (USD). Funding was provided by the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University (BPRI) and the Whatcom Council of Governments.
Contact Melissa Fanucci, Principal Planner, Whatcom Council of Governments by email or phone (360-685-8385).