States, Industry Struggle With Roadability
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Transportation interests must decide who should be responsible for maintaining intermodal containers and chassis or face the prospect of state regulators deciding for them, according to the nation’s top intermodal official.
“States are moving forward on roadability laws. If the Department of Transportation does nothing, it could result in a patchwork quilt of enforcement,” Stephen Van Beek, director of DOT’s Office of Intermodalism, said during an interview at a Transportation Research Board conference, held from Feb. 23 to 25.
American Trucking Associations and its Intermodal Conference asked DOT in 1997 to make terminal operators solely responsible for the condition of containers and chassis. The current law puts the burden on motor carriers.
 |  Michael James - Transport Topics |
| The Federal Highway Administration hopes trucking companies, terminal operators, ports, railroads and ocean shipping companies can reach consensus on who should be responsible for containers and chassis. |
Since 1998, Louisiana, South Carolina and Illinois have enacted legislation making the owner of intermodal chassis, trailers and containers responsible for their condition.
In New Jersey, a bill prohibiting terminal operators from offering equipment that violates federal motor carrier safety regulations was introduced Jan. 11 in the General Assembly. Roadability legislation is also expected soon in Pennsylvania.
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