aerial view of Western's campus at night facing northwest, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

Major survey of cross-border travelers relies on WWU students

The research project by Western’s Border Policy Research Institute and Whatcom Council of Governments, last done in 2018, seeks to measure the “new normal” for Whatcom County border traffic.

by Mary Gallagher

WWU Communications

Maria Morales, an anthropology major from Lynnwood, helped survey drivers at Whatcom County border crossings.

Armed with digital tablets, orange caution vests and friendly smiles, teams of Western Washington University students gathered in Blaine, Lynden and Sumas this summer to interview a group of famously weary travelers: drivers sitting in long lines at the U.S.-Canada border. 

“It’s kind of a temperature check, every five to seven years, to see what’s changed in our border-crossing communities,” said Jaymes McClain, a senior planner with Whatcom Council of Governments, which runs the survey with Western’s Border Policy Research Institute. 

Funded by governmental agencies on both sides of the border, the survey gathers data at four points of entry and helps with transportation planning. With anonymous data on where travelers are coming from, where they’re going and what their plans are, the study also provides insights for many local communities and businesses that rely on border traffic.  

Students gathered anonymous data on where travelers come from, where they’re going and what their plans are. They also asked whether travelers plan to cross the border to attend a FIFA World Cup Soccer event next year.

This year’s survey also asks about another cross-border collaboration project: FIFA World Cup Soccer events in Seattle next year and whether people plan to cross the border to attend a game. 

WWU students have been at the center of the cross-border survey since it began in 2000 — McClain actually worked the survey as a WWU student himself. 

But this may have been the students’ toughest assignment yet, amid a U.S.-Canada trade war, super-heated political rhetoric, and general anxiety around crossing the border. 

“We were a little concerned, because of everything that’s happening with the border environment, politically,” said McClain. “We weren’t quite sure if we were going to get less involvement from Canadian travelers.” 

But the students are finding the vast majority of travelers are willing to take the survey, said Maria Morales, an anthropology major from Lynnwood.

Students just have to overcome some mistrust first. 

“I’ve had people ask if I was under cover for the Border Patrol, or if we’re sharing their private information,” Morales said. “When I take off my sunglasses, people are way more receptive.” 

The students don’t ask for any personally identifying information, she said, and once people know the survey is optional, they tend to open up. 

“I’m really interested in post-conflict resolution and reconstruction,” said Morales, who is minoring in holocaust and genocide studies. “The number one lesson I’ve learned is that just hearing people out, letting them express all their concerns and worries when they’re stressed and upset in a tense situation, really defuses the situation at the border so much.”

WWU student workers just completed the summer segment of the survey at the two Blaine crossings, as well as the Lynden and Sumas crossings, and more surveys are planned for February. They’re expected to gather about 10,000 usable survey records. BPRI will share preliminary findings later this year and WCOG will share the final reports later in 2026. 

BPRI will also incorporate the data into its economic data and forecasts, said Jennifer Bettis, research and program manager for BPRI. “Understanding the impact Canadian shoppers have on our economy is critical,” she said.

The survey was last done in 2018 and researchers had been hoping the next survey would show traffic returning to normal — or at least a new normal — after the pandemic, Bettis said. 

Politics/Philosophy/Economics student Gabriel Price grew up in border communities and enjoyed talking to people crossing the border – sometimes every day

But cross-border vehicle traffic is still down about 21 percent from pre-pandemic levels, according to WCOG data. 

“Who knows if we’re ever going to experience a new normal,” Bettis said. “Maybe this year we’ll get baseline data on who’s crossing the border no matter what.”

Gabriel Price, a senior who spent much of his childhood in Blaine, said he’s hearing from many motorists who aren’t happy with the state of U.S.-Canada relations. 

Psychology student Charles Drees finished up a break and prepares to survey border-crossers at Peace Arch. He uses maps during the survey for drivers to point out the beginning and end of their trips.

“But a lot of people say, ‘We’re going to come anyway,’” Price said. “Because of work, and family, they don’t have a choice.” 

Charles Drees, a psychology student from Montana, said he’s been surprised to see people come through his survey line more than once — they’re crossing the border each day commuting to work or checking on their property. 

“It’s cool to talk to all different types of people,” Drees said. “And it’s cool to see how the border works, up close.” 

On a recent hot afternoon, Price, Drees and other students were taking a quick break just south of the border crossing under a canopy pitched beneath the eye-catching “Non Sign II” sculpture of metal wire and negative space. After a few gulps of water from the cooler, they donned their vests and grabbed their tablets with laminated maps attached and set off to gather more data with the help of curiosity and charm. 

“It’s nice to be here and hear all these stories,” said Price, who is majoring in politics/philosophy/economics. “I’ve been able to talk to people about their lived experience with the economic and political status of the U.S. and Canada. It’s better to hear from a person than a textbook.”