Wireless identity cards ease US border crossings

Wireless identity cards and tags for trucks and drivers are easing the traffic flow at US borders with Canada and Mexico. So, the question is: how long before similar technology is adopted for airline passengers?

Of course, there are some legitimate privacy concerns, and some hysterical fears, about national personal identity cards. But, it is likely that within the next several years airline travelers will be using a new type of identification and it will probably have wireless functions. And, the cross-border trucking industry is providing a working laboratory for the airlines.

For example, ITS Services Inc., overseeing the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enhanced border protection system, TransCore's eGo wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) technology as the standard for its ongoing Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program. Through a $4 million contract with CBP and the prime contractor, ITS Services, TransCore will deliver about 170,000 eGo windshield sticker tags, driver identification cards, as well as install inspection booth reader equipment for more than 99 FAST lanes at 22 US border crossings.

After successful Phase I testing using eGo technology at six border crossings, Phase II began at El Paso, Texas, where U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge visited last week to see the new system.

TransCore describes its FAST product an intelligent border crossing system that enhances trade flow and security along the borders with Canada and Mexico. FAST allows CBP agents to instantly identify designated low-risk vehicles and drivers who are compliant with the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). These vehicles, equipped with eGo tags, are expedited through border crossings, reducing congestion and helping agents target a smaller pool of potentially high-risk vehicles for closer inspection.

Battery-free tags

The eGo windshield sticker tag is a paper-thin, RF-programmable, battery-free tag that operates in the 915 MHz range. The tag has a read range of 5 meters or 16.4 feet. The tag has a 1024 bit memory, capable of reading, writing and rewriting information or permanently setting individual bytes. TransCore achieved a series of groundbreaking design innovations, using single-chip technology to produce a low profile (45 x 85 x 1 mm) and low cost tag.

The flexible sticker tag is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, sunlight, humidity and vibration. The tag can include a tamper-resistant option, and control numbers and markings may be custom color printed on the outside of each tag, such as the U.S./Canada FAST and U.S./Mexico FAST logos.

Legitimate trade and travel

CBP was formed in March 2003 to join the resources of the U.S. Customs Service, the INS and Border Patrol in support of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security initiatives. With a priority mission of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the country, CBP is also charged with facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

The FAST program is a key element in CBP's overall strategy to modernize operations, expand advance information regarding people and goods entering the country and improve inspection systems. As a joint program with Canada and Mexico, FAST also bolsters CBP's strategy to extend the country's zone of security outward by partnering with foreign governments and the private sector to bring friendly traders into the security fold.

Launched initially with Canada in 2002, Phase I of the FAST program used eGo technology for a successful pilot at six of the busiest U.S border crossings with Canada: Ambassador Bridge in Detroit; Bluewater Bridge in Port Huron, Mich.; Peace Bridge in Buffalo, N.Y.; Lewiston, N.Y.; Champlain, N.Y.; and Blaine, Wash. These crossings account for nearly 70 percent of traffic and 80 percent of the trade value flowing between the two countries. FAST was launched with Mexico in September 2003 to extend the system to both borders.

New FAST locations to be operational in 2004 include: Sweetgrass, Mont.; Portal and Pembina, N.D.; Alexandria Bay, N.Y.; Highgate Springs and Derby Lane, Vt.; Otay Mesa and Calexico, Calif.; Nogales, Ariz.; and El Paso, Laredo, Hidalgo and Brownsville, Texas.

To use the FAST system, a truck must be a FAST-approved carrier, hauling goods from a FAST-approved importer, and be operated by a FAST-approved driver. To gain FAST approval, importers, carriers and drivers complete applications to customs administrations.

History of compliance

Importers and carriers must demonstrate a history of complying with legislative and regulatory requirements and commit to security-enhancing practices as required by C-TPAT. Upon FAST approval, carriers are given eGo windshield sticker tags to mount in trucks.

Commercial drivers who pass the application screening are asked to report to an enrollment center for an interview, review of identification and citizenship documents, fingerprinting and digital photography. When approved, they are issued a commercial driver card, which contains both a photo and biographical information.

As a truck approaches a FAST lane at a crossing, a wireless RFID reader recognizes the unique identification number encoded into both the truck's windshield sticker tag and the driver's identity card and associates this information with import, carrier and driver information already submitted to the system electronically.

An alert is then sent to the inspection booth, notifying agents that the truck is or is not FAST compliant, whether fees have been paid, and displaying a digital image of the driver along with biographical information. Compliant trucks are signaled to proceed. Non-compliant trucks may be redirected for further inspection.

Free flow of goods

After Sept. 11, 2001, the United States and Canada committed to initiatives to bolster homeland security while maintaining the freest possible flow of people and goods between the longtime partner nations. A 30-point joint agreement signed in December 2001 specifically called for identifying and investing in technology to speed throughput at congested border crossings.

In April 2002, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs Service (now part of CBP) launched C-TPAT as a public/private initiative to protect the security of cargo entering the United States and improve trade flow. In September 2002, President George Bush and Prime Minister Jean Chretien met at Ambassador Bridge to unveil the FAST program as a key element of the countries' security partnership efforts. The FAST program was extended to Mexico in September 2003.