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Nov 18, 2009 12:55 PM

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has responded to a petition for reconsideration of the final roadability rule and will amend the regulations to allow a fifth intermodal equipment marking option. This fifth option will enable identification of chassis and other intermodal equipment through a system that matches equipment to the responsible Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP).

The amendment to the final rule will advance the Global Intermodal Equipment Registry (GIER), an industry-sponsored system developed by the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA).

GIER is a virtual technology alternative to the intermodal equipment marking options mandated in the final roadability regulations issued by FMCSA. It reduces costs for users by using technology to avoid physical capturing and remarking of intermodal equipment to meet regulatory requirements. Instead, GIER uses the existing unique alpha-numeric control numbers that appear on intermodal equipment.

This system links equipment to the responsible IEP using the newly required IEP USDOT number. GIER also provides critical IEP information needed to enable electronic processing of Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) in order to meet FMCSA roadability regulations.

Beta testing for GIER is in its final stages. The registry will formally launch in late November 2009, when all IEPs will be able to begin registering their equipment in GIER. To learn more about registration details, visit www.GierRegistry.com or contact Dennis Monts at dennis.monts@Intermodal.org or 301-982-3400, ext 368.