Chassis Pools Likely, Intermodal Executives Say

AK BROOK, Ill. — Intermodal companies face numerous hurdles in creating a national pool of chassis for domestic cargo, but eventually railroads, trucking companies and shippers will make it happen, a panel of intermodal executives said.

Agreeing to use longer 53-foot units, setting up a procedure for maintaining equipment and working out liability issues are among the subjects the companies must settle before they are able to establish a system for sharing domestic chassis that are now primarily owned by the railroads and other intermodal companies.

Dave Howland, vice president for rail at Schneider National Inc., said during a panel discussion at the Intermodal Association of North America conference here that he expects chassis pools for domestic freight will become a reality in the next few years, if not sooner.