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The Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research
El Paso, Texas — Faster. Smarter. Safer.

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With an annual $850,000 appropriation from the Texas Legislature, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) created a research center in El Paso in 2006, called the Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research (CIITR). The center, which employs 13 people, is focused on developing and applying a wide range of technologies and strategies to improve traffic operations and safety; ensure the efficient, safe and secure movement of people and goods across the Texas/Mexico border; and explore methods of reducing vehicle emissions in the area. The purpose of these projects is to increase the competitiveness of the North American economy in the global trade environment, while enhancing border security and quality of life for El Paso-area residents. TTI has leveraged its state funds with $610,000 in additional funding through projects with TxDOT-El Paso, as well as external funding from numerous sources.

Traffic Operations Technologies

traffic camera
Regional Transportation Data Warehouse

Aimed at providing El Paso travelers with real-time traffic information to make better route selections before and during a trip, the Regional Transportation Data Warehouse is a state-of-the-art research and planning tool based on real-life, on-demand traffic information. The technology under development will allow transportation agencies to make better traffic management decisions.

Teens in the Driver Seat®

The El Paso region is at the forefront of stopping the number-one killer of teens in America—car crashes. In October 2006, TTI launched its successful Teens in the Driver Seat® (TDS) peer-to-peer driver safety outreach program in El Paso high schools. Approximately 15 high schools in the El Paso area are in varying stages of TDS program deployment.

Leveraged Funds: $135,000, CIITR; $1,567,000, enabled by CIITR funds

Traffic Simulation and Modeling

In recent years, traffic simulation and assignment models have been widely adopted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) El Paso District and El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in planning for and analyzing the impact of traffic operations decisions. TTI is developing a tool to integrate two state-of-the-art simulation software packages from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) Traffic Analysis Toolbox.

Border Crossing Improvements

aerial view of a border crossing
North American Border Crossing Protocol

The North American Border Crossing Protocol (NABCP) is a system for consistently and objectively measuring performance of the overall supply chain at the border. The NABCP builds on a decade of research and development by public and private sponsors and merges results of those efforts into a single package of measuring and reporting capabilities. Specific groups that will benefit from the NABCP include policy-makers, trade communities and transportation organizations.

Leveraged Funds: $46,000, CIITR; $700,000, external sources

Border Homeland Security Initiative

TTI and Texas A&M University are partners with The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) in a proposal for the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Center of Excellence in Border Security. UTEP is taking the lead on the proposed team, which has been selected by DHS for the short list of potential sites for the center. A decision from DHS on the site selection is expected before the end of the federal fiscal year.

Leveraged Funds: $24,000, CIITR; $500,000, external sources

Reduction of Multiple Border Stops

Multiple inspection stops make the northbound border crossing process less efficient and more time- and resource-consuming. One alternative solution that TTI is exploring is to develop an "express lane" system that would provide advance information to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to expedite border crossing for vehicles, cargo and drivers that are deemed safe and secure. This model is designed to improve not only crossing times, but also security and documentation.

Leveraged Funds: $60,000, CIITR; $200,000, external sources

Border Wait-Time Measurement

FHWA is undertaking a Freight Performance Measurement initiative aimed at measuring travel times in freight-significant corridors and border wait times at major U.S. land border crossings. The objective of this project is to examine technologies that can be used to support automated measurement of border delays and crossing times at U.S./Mexico land ports of entry.

Leveraged Funds: $57,000, CIITR; $250,000, external sources

Air Quality Initiatives

clouds and blue sky
Truck Stop Emissions

This study, in partnership with The University of Texas at El Paso and others, demonstrated differences in surrounding air quality at a truck stop compared to other locations in El Paso, and measured differences in air quality inside the truck cab while the truck operated under different modes. The project report should be complete by September.

Leveraged Funds: $40,000, CIITR; $5,000, external sources

Landfill Truck Emissions

This project, a partnership with the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) and Mack Trucks, studies waste landfill gas converted to liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel to power trucks that serve landfills. The findings from this study will serve as a basis for future studies when the emissions of LNG refuse trucks will be collected.

Leveraged Funds: $45,000, CIITR; $180,000, external sources

city skyline
High-Speed Vehicle Emissions Rates

This project develops high-speed motor vehicle emissions rates to assess the impacts of changes to the roadway transportation system and related on-road emissions reduction measures. Project results will allow transportation and air quality planners to more reliably assess impacts associated with high-speed vehicle operation already existing on freeways and toll ways, as well as future facilities.

Leveraged Funds: $90,000, CIITR; $75,000, $160,000, external sources

Educational Support

people taking notes
  • Undergraduate and Graduate Transportation Studies
  • El Paso Binational BRT Workshop
  • University of Chihuahua's Graduate Transportation Program Field Trip
  • FHWA Roadway Safety Audit Training
  • FHWA Integrated Corridor Management Program
  • FHWA/MPO Context-Sensitive Solutions Workshop

Key Partners

The CIITR has developed more than 25 key partnerships with public, private and binational organizations in the quest to solve transportation problems and issues in the El Paso region.

TTI's Mission

To solve transportation problems through research, to transfer technology and to develop diverse human resources to meet the transportation challenges of tomorrow.

Contact

CIITR building
Rafael Aldrete-Sanchez
Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research
TTI-El Paso Office
4050 Rio Bravo Drive, Suite 151
El Paso, TX 79902
ph. (915) 532-3759 · fax (915) 532-3762
r-aldrete@tamu.edu

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