FAQ
DOES SBS IS ANOTHER “FAST” LANE PROGRAM?
SMARTlane powered by SBS is not a new travel category, instead, it’s a scalable arrival system that optimizes wait times and booths’ capacity through dynamic scheduling and mobile queues, transforming mobility and enhancing bi-national integration.
IS IT A KIND OF “VIP” SENTRI LANE?
No. SBS is a technological project scalable and agnostic of traveler class and land port of entry
HOW WILL SBS MANAGE PEAK DEMAND?
Commuting lanes have a limited capacity, Our SBS patent-pending technology introduces real-time management of lanes-booths maximizing timeslots capacity, ensuring optimal use of time for commuters and customs resources
DOES SBS WORK LIKE A PRE-CLEARING PROCEDURE?
SBS's main focus is efficient arrival management of commuters and it does not interfere with or accelerate Customs and Border Protection (CBP) vetting at booths. At least at the first stage.
HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE SBS WILL SAVE TO TRAVELERS?
As with any booking system, the time savings will depend on the specific conditions of the day. This means that a booked table in a restaurant will save different amounts of time according to the selected day, hour, season, and other random events.
WILL SBS NEED PUBLIC FUNDS?
SBS is conceived as a private investment that will establish a partnership with cities and government agencies to manage current border infrastructures (lanes, booths, staff, etc.)
WHAT IS THE PROJECT COST?
The first deployment investment is expected to be around 10M dollars to create a new digital platform ready to scale across traveler classes and land ports of entry.
The first deployment also will confirm the investment requirements for SBS expansions depending on the functionality needs of Stakeholders.
IS THIS A BINATIONAL PROJECT?
SBS relies on synergetic cooperation from Business and Government leaders from both sides of the border.
HAS IT BEEN TESTED IN OTHER PLACES?
Not for this application, but airports and seaports work in a similar way.
HOW WILL WE KNOW IF SBS WILL WORK?
The engineering approach and scientific concepts of the SBS are solid. The biggest challenge will be traveler adoption of this new way of scheduled commutes and coordination with booths availability
HOW DO YOU MAKE MONEY?
Selling the timeslots to commuters. The fares could vary depending on negotiations with public and private owners of physical assets (Roads, Lanes, Bridges). Dynamic fees could be implemented as well.
DOES THE FIRST DEPLOYMENT BEGIN WITH SENTRI LANES?
It will depend on discussions with stakeholders on both sides of the border, primarily Customs and Border Protection and General Services Administration in the U.S. and the respective Municipal and Federal Governments in Mexico
HOW MUCH IN ADVANCE TRAVELERS SHOULD BOOK?
The SBS will offer both advance and last-minute reserves coordinated with real-time capacity in dedicated lanes.
WHY WOULD FREQUENT CROSSERS (SCHOOL, WORK) NEED IT?
Because living in a high-growth rate metropolis, uncertainty in line is getting worst, affecting productivity and quality of life of frequent travelers.
WHY WOULD INFREQUENT CROSSERS NEED IT?
Because even for an occasional traveler, an efficient commute is part of the overall experience in the region.
HOW WILL YOU CHANGE TRAVELER BEHAVIOR?
Providing a peerless commute experience in terms of efficient use of time for travelers, contrasting to the traditional leave early to get in line.
WHAT HAPPENS IF TRAVELERS ARRIVE LATE/EARLY TO THEIR SCHEDULED TIME?
SBS will develop an API with Navigation APPs to notify real-time traffic conditions, In addition, it will consider a tolerance to each timeslot.