In many ways, technology has made border crossing wait times somewhat more bearable for the average border crosser. A common sight while waiting to cross on foot is the prevalent use of digital music players, as well as the ubiquitous use of a smartphone in hand to help pass the time.
Those crossing in vehicles have a number of technological amenities at their disposal as well, and no doubt have become a much appreciated part of their customary waiting routines.
Adding to that list in recent years has been the development of smartphone apps that track border wait times. These apps are all the more appreciated, considering that the wait times provided by Customs and Border Protection are often not the most reliable.
The promising thing about a couple of the apps already available on the market is that their increased usage has the benefit of translating into more accurate information.
The mobile app called Best Time to Cross the Border uses “crowdsourcing” information provided by other border-crossers and combines it with government border wait time data to determine approximate wait times.
The app should be of particular interest to those who want to see wait times on a lane-by-lane basis at any of the region’s ports. People simply log in how long they waited to cross in which lane and at which port. And for those not altogether familiar with the intricacies of the border, it offers graphs that suggest which times are the best for crossings.
The Border Buddy app also has attempted to ease the average border-crossers’ dilemma by providing more frequent updates, rather than the hourly updates typical of some apps and the CBP website.
By automatically tracking when an individual user crosses the international line, the app also removes the possibility of errors occurring whenever a user types in their wait times.
Considering the numbers of Latinos that are closely wedded to their smartphones, it is also heartening to hear that its developer is planning on offering Spanish-language information in the near future.
Even as new and insightful apps keep cropping up and contribute to one’s ability to waste time, it is nice to see some that can serve a much-needed practical purpose for area residents to actually help them save time.
THE ISSUE:
Border-crossing apps
WE SAY:
Innovative way to avoid lost time at ports.
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
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