It’s chassis-vu all over again

BALTIMORE, Md. — For the second time in six months, the Federal Carrier Motor Safety Administration’s "roadability" rule got off to a rough start on the day it took effect.

Technical miscommunication between truckers and terminal operators made filing the mandatory Driver Vehicle Inspection Report difficult, according to media reports.

Apparently, many truckers were unable to submit the reports because of the incompatibility of separate DVIR systems used by carriers and some intermodal facilities.

The DVIR Processing System is required under the rule, which took effect on June 30, to monitor the maintenance done on intermodal chassis.

The rule, which has been in the works for over a decade, requires the chassis provider to ensure safety checks are conducted on equipment and components like brakes and tires.

The implementation date  was originally in December of 2009, but officials postponed enforcement because of similar miscommunication and delays, which lead to long lines of trucks waiting at terminals.

Some of the confusion resulted because of difficulties in determining who actually owns the chassis.

The Intermodal Association of North America and the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association now say they will develop electronic connections between their separate DVIR systems, making them compatible.

Reports indicate that should be completed by the end of this week or next week.

It’s estimated that more than 100,000 chassis moves through terminal gates in the U.S.