Traffic Simulation at International Ports of Entry: El Paso-Mexico Case Study

Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993, international commercial traffic has grown significantly. Texas has been the largest port of entry for trade at the U.S.-Mexico border since 1994, accounting for approximately 75 percent of the trade. Under NAFTA, FHWA predicts that trade through Texas could increase up to 120 percent in the coming years. Texas has 18 border sectors with Mexico, many of which have congestion primarily caused by ineffective interaction among inspection procedures and traffic management or lack of adequate transportation planning. A simulation model, developed using a general-purpose industrial engineering simulation package, can help determine the best alternative for preventing congestion at the ports of entry and the associated traffic operation effects on the road network adjoining the international bridges, while yet maintaining an adequate inspection of commercial trucks. A case study of the Ysleta-Zaragoza Bridge in El Paso, Texas, is presented. The simulation shows that the traffic flow at the Ysleta-Zaragoza Bridge is efficient with the current infrastructure and traffic operations. However, the expected future increase in traffic volume will generate a spill-back into major freeways close to the bridge. A proposed solution to this problem is presented.