IANA Files Brief Supporting ATA’s Hours-of-Service Suit

The Intermodal Association of North America has filed a legal brief supporting American Trucking Associations’ suit challenging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours-of-service rule.

IANA, which filed the legal action along with 14 other trade associations, said the HOS rules in place have “served the public well and created a regulatory framework that improved safety over the past decade.”

The group said it shared ATA’s concern that the required rest periods in the rule’s 34-hour restart provision could adversely impact the efficiency of intermodal motor carriers that provide rail and port terminal drayage services, as many intermodal facilities operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Its brief argues that FMCSA failed to consider the additional costs to carriers, shippers, receivers, and transportation intermediaries when evaluating changes to the rule.

“Because intermodal stakeholders are dependent on each other, a negative impact that affects one will likely have a ripple effect across the entire supply chain,” said IANA President Joni Casey.

“The 34-hour restart change is particularly problematic as it will reduce a driver’s present work week and impede the scheduling flexibility necessary to service the hundreds of rail and port facilities in the U.S.,” she said in a statement.