Post by PortOMiamidockworker on Jul 1, 2009 20:16:35 GMT -5
Roadability Hooked Up
Bill Mongelluzzo | Jun 30, 2009
The Journal of Commerce Magazine - Trucking
Regulation starts to phase in new era for intermodal chassis, with details still under heated debate
The days of a harbor truck driver’s cursory inspection of an intermodal chassis should be gone with the implementation of “roadability” regulations published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The regulation that took effect on June 17 capped years of debate over the maintenance, repair and use of chassis to carry ocean containers around ports, and made clear the driver responsibility for confirming and checking of specific areas of safety and suitability for the equipment.
“Roadability is a shared responsibility, and good inspections are the key, from the motor carrier’s point of view,” said Dave Manning, president of Tennessee Express.
Manning joined rail, steamship and marine terminal executives in a discussion of the new FMCSA regulations on June 18 in Long Beach. Disagreeing sharply on how the modes should implement the rules, they conceded they must reach a consensus by Dec. 17, when intermodal equipment providers must register their maintenance programs with the Department of Transportation.
“None of the intermodal equipment providers have stepped forward and said what they want. They don’t even have a DOT number,” said Bruce Wargo, secretary of the West Coast Marine Terminal Operators Agreement, which represents 13 container terminal operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach.
Operators of marine terminals, as well as intermodal railyards, process thousands of truck moves each day at their gates. They have already established electronic gate procedures, so they want to piggyback on those systems to process the vehicle inspection report that drivers must file when picking up a chassis.
Completing the Driver Vehicle Inspection Report, in which the driver certifies that brakes, lights, tires, lock pins and other mechanical devices are in good working order, is a new legal requirement for motor carriers. Manning said truckers must take the DVIR seriously or risk receiving a citation.
Equipment providers and terminal operators have less than six months to develop a systematic inspection and maintenance program and record-keeping procedures.
They will then have until Dec. 17, 2010, to receive a unique identifying number from the DOT and affix it to the intermodal equipment.
Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com.
Bill Mongelluzzo | Jun 30, 2009
The Journal of Commerce Magazine - Trucking
Regulation starts to phase in new era for intermodal chassis, with details still under heated debate
The days of a harbor truck driver’s cursory inspection of an intermodal chassis should be gone with the implementation of “roadability” regulations published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The regulation that took effect on June 17 capped years of debate over the maintenance, repair and use of chassis to carry ocean containers around ports, and made clear the driver responsibility for confirming and checking of specific areas of safety and suitability for the equipment.
“Roadability is a shared responsibility, and good inspections are the key, from the motor carrier’s point of view,” said Dave Manning, president of Tennessee Express.
Manning joined rail, steamship and marine terminal executives in a discussion of the new FMCSA regulations on June 18 in Long Beach. Disagreeing sharply on how the modes should implement the rules, they conceded they must reach a consensus by Dec. 17, when intermodal equipment providers must register their maintenance programs with the Department of Transportation.
“None of the intermodal equipment providers have stepped forward and said what they want. They don’t even have a DOT number,” said Bruce Wargo, secretary of the West Coast Marine Terminal Operators Agreement, which represents 13 container terminal operators in Los Angeles-Long Beach.
Operators of marine terminals, as well as intermodal railyards, process thousands of truck moves each day at their gates. They have already established electronic gate procedures, so they want to piggyback on those systems to process the vehicle inspection report that drivers must file when picking up a chassis.
Completing the Driver Vehicle Inspection Report, in which the driver certifies that brakes, lights, tires, lock pins and other mechanical devices are in good working order, is a new legal requirement for motor carriers. Manning said truckers must take the DVIR seriously or risk receiving a citation.
Equipment providers and terminal operators have less than six months to develop a systematic inspection and maintenance program and record-keeping procedures.
They will then have until Dec. 17, 2010, to receive a unique identifying number from the DOT and affix it to the intermodal equipment.
Contact Bill Mongelluzzo at bmongelluzzo@joc.com.