WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. is getting in tune with the technology needs of a modernized border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently revealed construction plans to deploy Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to 354 border vehicle lanes.

The work will include 39 points of entry along the U.S borders with Canada and Mexico over the coming months; and is designed to help speed travel and further enhance border security.

Use of RFID will enable swifter processing at border crossings for travelers using new state-of-the-art travel documents. These documents include the passport card and enhanced driver’s licenses.

These documents are the result of a new requirement, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a Congressional mandate passed in 2004.

The requirement went into effect for air travel in January 2007. Full implementation of WHTI for land and sea travel will go into effect June 1, 2009. To help mitigate impact, CBP is taking a phased approach with separate construction and installation phases, which will be complete prior to June 2009.

A sustained, large-scale campaign will be launched later this year to advise audiences in the U.S. and Canada about the new document requirement.