FMCSA Gives Approval for IANA to Use Database to Register Chassis
This story appears in the Nov. 30 print edition of Transport Topics.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Intermodal Association of North America won federal approval to use the database it is creating for equipment providers to comply with new chassis rules that take effect on Dec. 17.
The decision by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration clears the way for the trade group to develop and market the Global Intermodal Equipment Registry. The announcement, made here during the Intermodal Expo/TransComp, said that registration will begin late this month as testing is completed.
The new chassis rules — the product of a decade of discussion — make the provider of intermodal equipment responsible for its condition when truckers take the chassis out of a terminal. Truckers pressed for the so-called “roadability” rule because of concerns that some intermodal equipment wasn’t roadworthy because of defects in brakes, lighting or tires.
“I am very pleased that the FMCSA has made the decision. The decision positions GIER to move ahead and help the intermodal industry quickly and cost-effectively comply with the new roadability regulations,” said IANA President Joni Casey.
Ocean carriers own or lease about 85% of the chassis, according to FMCSA statistics. Railroad and motor carriers own the remainder.
When the final chassis rule was issued in December, the requirements called for each piece of equipment to have a six-digit Department of Transportation number, but it did not permit the use of the database to collect and maintain that information.
IANA’s announcement said the database will be a cost-effective alternative for equipment providers.
The rule calls for the markings to be changed whenever control of the chassis shifts from one provider to another, such as when a lease expires or when a chassis is taken into or removed from an existing pool.
IANA filed a petition for reconsideration that was supported by other trade groups.
Providers will enter their data about chassis they control when the GIER begins operation, allowing the production of driver vehicle inspection reports that are a requirement, effective next month.
IANA said the GIER simplifies the process by allowing providers to use the existing 10-digit code consisting of four letters and six numbers that is the ocean and rail standard method for identifying chassis and containers alike.
The actual marking of all the equipment will not be required until next year under the federal rule requirements.
