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

Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute announces funding support for student field work project at the U.S.-Canada border

Passenger Vehicle Survey an effort to understand the influence of the border on our local communities and beyond

The Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI) is excited to announce that they will conduct their next Passenger Vehicle Survey (PVS) this summer 2025 in collaboration with the Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG) and the International Mobility and Trade Corridor Program (IMTC) this summer. 

This is a binational collaboration supported by entities on both sides of the border, who are keen to continue to understand the influence of the border on our local communities and beyond.

BPRI has been awarded nearly $140,000 dollars to hire, train, and teach Western Washington University Students to conduct field work and collect quality data on trip-purpose, origin-destination patterns, and traveler habits. This data is an important part of transportation system planning and helps provide critical understanding about the changing dynamics of cross-border travel into Whatcom County. Students will work in teams and gain experience conducting surveys and collecting data in a cross-border context.

External funding support provided by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Washington Department of Transportation, BC Ministry of Transportation & Transit, Transport Canada, Pacific Northwest Economic Region, and Whatcom Council of Governments.

About the Institutes

The Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI) at Western Washington University is a multi-disciplinary institute that undertakes research that informs policymakers on matters related to the Canada – U.S. border, particularly in the British Columbia – Washington state region.

The Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG) is a forum for cooperation on regional issues, primarily transportation. Members include Whatcom County, the County’s seven cities, the Port of Bellingham, and the Lummi Nation and other regional entities.

The International Mobility & Trade Corridor Program (IMTC) identifies and promotes improvements to mobility and security for the border crossings that connect Whatcom County, Washington State and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

 

Media Contacts

Laurie Trautman
Director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University 
Laurie.Trautman@wwu.edu

Jonathan Higgins
Director of University Communications, Western Washington University 
Jonathan.Higgins@wwu.edu