TIGHTENING UP THE BORDER

The electronic links with the Customs agencies across the Canada-U.S. border were originally established to improve rail competitiveness, but they proved to be a security bonus in the days and weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks. The article looks at steps taken since then to further improve the security of railroad operations at border crossings. A key component in the border action plan is creation of a "smart border" that would improve security without interrupting the flow of goods. Under the plan, the system will need to be harmonized between the two countries and customs inspections need to be at the traffic's origin and destination terminals, not at the border. The above would improve the safety of the operations and prevent the blocking at crossings.