Modeling Border Traffic Flow Using Cell Phone Header Packets

This research in progress paper describes a novel approach for improving resource allocation decision-making at ports of entry along a border. The approach involves the collection of cell phone header packets to estimate density of a population around a port of entry, and proposes that such data, if collected in real-time, could allow border agents to more effectively respond to random increases or decreases in border traffic. It is further suggested that such data could be incorporated continuously to update border flow models and help identify trends in traffic flow. The overall result of these advantages could lead to decision-makers at ports of entry being able to reduce queue times and thereby use resources more efficiently.