WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an intermodal chassis safety proposal yesterday that requires operators to more closely monitor intermodal equipment.

The rule, which also calls for more inspections, requires intermodal equipment owners to register equipment, display identification numbers, establish inspection, maintenance and repair procedures and quickly respond to carrier complaints, according to the Federal Register notice. The proposal– also known as the “roadability” rule — clarifies who is responsible for maintaining safe operation of equipment. The equipment will “be subject to the same enforcement proceedings, orders and civil penalties” as standard motor carriers.

The proposal is one of a half-dozen that have been pending for months, including: a proposal on electronic onboard recorders.

The proposals were published in the December 21 Federal Register: www.gpoaccess.gov.