U.S. - Mexico Joint Working Committee on Transportation Planning

2000 Memorandum of Understanding

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND THE SECRETARIAT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION
OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
ON THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR TRANSPORT ON EACH SIDE OF THE BORDER

Preamble

The Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of the United Mexican States (SCT) and the Department of Transportation of the United States of America (DOT), together hereinafter the "Participants," affirm the following understandings:

The binational transportation planning activities between the two countries, initiated by a Memorandum of Understanding signed April 29, 1994 included the development and completion of the Binational Border Transportation Planning and Programming Study. Through this effort, the Participants developed an understanding of each other's needs and goals and a working relationship has led to beneficial results.

On February 10, 1998, the Transition Plan was approved defining the organizational structure and functions of the U.S. - Mexico Joint Working Committee (JWC). The 1999 - 2000 work plan was approved by the JWC on November 23, 1998.

WHEREAS, considerable international trade between the United States and Mexico has developed and will continue to grow;

WHEREAS, this increase in trade is dependent upon well-coordinated transportation planning processes along the border;

WHEREAS, the Participants desire to continue and strengthen transportation planning between their respective countries at the Federal, state, regional, and local levels;

The Participants have decided that this new Memorandum should replace the Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 29, 1994 with the purpose of continuing to strengthen border transportation planning and programming processes between the Participants.

Previous successes have encouraged the Participants to cooperate further as follows:

Article I - Objective

The Participants intend to cooperate on binational transportation planning activities and continue the analysis of the present and future transportation infrastructure and operational needs that facilitate safe, efficient, and economical transborder transportation movements.

Article II - Goals

The goals of the Participants are to:

Maintain frequent and effective communication among the Parties and their respective Border States from both countries concerning transportation planning;
Closely coordinate between the entities involved in the U.S. - Mexico Joint Working Committee (JWC) to support the planning processes at the federal, state, regional, and local levels;
Coordinate with the U.S. - Mexico Binational Bridges and Border Crossings Group and other Federal and state organizations involved in activities related to border crossings; and
Stimulate and promote the application of innovative methods to improve the safe, efficient, and economical cross border movement of people and goods.
Pursue additional goals as agreed to by the participants.

Article III -The U.S. - Mexico Joint Working Committee

The Participants acknowledge that the U.S. - Mexico Joint Working Committee (JWC) has been a benefit to the border planning process. In furtherance of their goals, The Participants intend to:

Maintain the organizational structure and functions of the JWC as it is stipulated in the Transition Plan. The JWC is comprised of the following representatives:
1. On the part of the United Mexican States:
  - Four SCT representatives
  - One Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Relations representative
  - One Representative from each of the six Mexican Border States
2. On the part of the United States of America:
  - Four DOT representatives
  - One United States Department of State representative
  - One Representative from each of the four United States Border States.
Participate in and carry out the core activities agreed identified by the JWC in strict adherence to legislation and standards in effect in each country; and
Focus on the following nine lines of work:
- Transborder Corridor Planning
- Coordinated Port of Entry Management System
- Intelligent Transportation Systems
- Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Border Related Improvements
- Intermodal Transportation
- Infrastructure Needs Assessment
- Air Quality
- Geographical Information System/ Live Data Bank
- Border Technology Exchange Program
- Additional lines of work as agreed by the JWC

Article IV -Work Plans

The Participants intend for the JWC to develop and implement biannual work plans specifying activities and funding sources. Each work plan should include activities on one or more of the lines of work stated in Article III.

Article V - Responsibility of the Participants

Each Participant as a member of the JWC expects to contribute towards it respective cost in order to complete the activities contained in each bi-annual work plan. Likewise, any cost resulting from participation in joint activities are to be determined jointly in order to insure the completion of the activity. The activities undertaken pursuant to this Memorandum of Understanding are to be subject to the availability of funds.

Article VI - Consultation

Any differences arising from the interpretation or application of this Memorandum of Understanding should be resolved by consultation of the Participants. Any differences arising from the interpretation or application of the work plans are to be resolved through the JWC.

Article VII - Effect and Termination

Activities under this MOU will begin on the date of signature and will continue indefinitely.

Either Participant may end cooperation under this MOU at any time but should attempt to provide the other Participant a ninety-day prior written notice. However, the Participants should endeavor to continue specific activities then underway unless they agree to the contrary.

Done at (location) in duplicate, this (day) th day of (month), 2000 in the English and Spanish languages.

___________________________________		___________________________________
For the Department of Transportation of the United States of America		For the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of the United Mexican States

Return to top