'Roadability' Remains a Hot Button

SAN FRANCISCO – How to inspect containers and chassis was at the heart of the debate over who should be responsible for the roadworthiness of intermodal equipment during the Intermodal Association of North America’s ninth annual meeting.

The association is working to develop industry best practices for the maintenance and repair of chassis. But reaching a consensus will not be easy.

“Trailer and container quality are hot buttons,” said Joseph Lombardo, director of purchasing and transportation for Nestle USA Corp. Purchasing, DeKalb, Ill.

IANA officials think their industry can best decide how to maintain the roadworthiness of equipment. They oppose a proposal by American Trucking Associations to make terminal operators solely responsible for the condition of containers.

That position will be reflected in comments to the Federal Highway Administration this week in response to ATA’s petition, said Mike Bruns, leader of the intermodal group and chairman of Comtrak Logistics in Memphis, Tenn.

“IANA’s comments will emphasize that additional government intervention is not necessary,” he said.

Richard Biter, acting head of the Department of Transportation’s Office of Intermodalism, said the responsibility issue has divided intermodal into two camps: those who like the status quo and those who want terminal operators to be responsible for roadability.

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