Regulatory Announcements & Related Information

Roadability

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) "roadability" rule, published in the December 17, 2008 Federal Register, became effective on June 17, 2009. These regulations make intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for the first time, and establish shared safety responsibility among intermodal equipment providers, motor carriers, and drivers.

The FMCSA has provided extensive information to assist Intermodal Equipment Providers (IEPs) with compliance as follows:

FMCSA has also set up a Help Line at 1-800-832-5660 for questions regarding registration. For other inquiries, you may wish to contact FMCSA at IEPinfo@dot.gov.

Key compliance dates:

  • Intermodal Equipment Providers (IEPs) must comply with the requirements for establishing systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance programs, recordkeeping systems, and for submitting Form MCS-150C by 12/17/2009.
  • IEPs must comply with the requirement to mark their intermodal chassis with a USDOT identification number by 12/17/2010.

On January 16, 2009, the Association of American Railroads, the Institute of International Container Lessors, IANA and Ocean Carriers Equipment Manufacturers Association requested that the FMCSA give additional consideration to accepting an industry-proposed alternative to the four equipment marking options found in the final rule. The intermodal industry recommended an identification system that would use existing unique alpha-numeric control numbers currently appearing on chassis that would be matched to the appropriate intermodal equipment provider.

The Global Intermodal Equipment Registry (GIER) virtual solution would provide a central database where all chassis in use throughout the United States are registered. This web-based portal with supporting applications will provide a comprehensive system to record ownership and operating control characteristics of intermodal equipment that can be used by government entities to determine regulatory compliance.

Historical Information

The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a proposed schedule in December 2006 for its roadability rulemaking that could have resulted in issuance of a final rule on April 24, 2008. The publication date for the rule was delayed several times. The DOT said that additional coordination was necessary and that there had been other, higher priorities and unanticipated issues that required further analysis.

Please click the links below for historical information relating to the proposed rule and subsequent actions:

CARB — FINAL REGULATION TO CONTROL EMISSIONS FROM IN-USE ON-ROAD DIESEL-FUELED HEAVY-DUTY DRAYAGE TRUCKS ISSUED

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued a final regulation order, the purpose of which is to reduce emissions and public exposure to diesel particulate matter (diesel PM), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and other air contaminants by setting emission standards for in-use, heavy-duty diesel-fueled vehicles that transport cargo to and from California’s ports and intermodal rail facilities.

This regulation applies to owners and operators of on-road diesel-fueled heavy-duty drayage trucks operated at California ports and intermodal rail yard facilities. The regulation also applies to “motor carriers,” “marine or port terminals,” “intermodal rail yards,” and “rail yard and port authorities.”

Drayage trucks subject to the regulation must meet specific phase 1 compliance requirements by December 31, 2009 and phase 2 compliance requirements by December 31, 2013. The order provides complete details for drayage truck compliance, as well as the obligations for motor carriers that contract with the drayage truck operator and facilities where the drayage trucks do business.

Click here to read the final regulation order.

CARB — CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD "SMARTWAY" DRAFT REGULATIONS

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued a draft regulation the week of June 2 that would establish a greenhouse gas reduction policy for heavy trucks. The rule would require future tractors (2011) that haul 53 ft. trailers to meet EPA “SmartWay” certification.

This latest initiative is part of the state’s goal to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. The “SmartWay” approach is designed to increase fuel efficiency by phasing in requirements for various streamlining techniques for tractors and trailers that would improve the miles per gallon of fuel consumed.

Intermodal chassis and containers and drayage tractors are expected to be exempt from the final regulations. However, 53’ intermodal trailers would fall under the rules.

Regulatory Documents