FMCSA Issues Rule to Improve the Safety of Equipment Used in the Transportation of Intermodal Containers

WASHINGTON—New rules issued today will significantly strengthen safety requirements for intermodal container chassis, the special trailers that hold cargo containers when they are transferred from ship or rail to truck for final delivery, announced John H. Hill, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

"We want to ensure that every piece of equipment traveling on our highways is operating safely," said FMCSA Administrator John H. Hill. "These new rules will bring new safety and enforcement focus on the chassis and equipment used to haul goods on our nation’s roads every day," Hill said.

The new regulations make intermodal equipment providers subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for the first time, and establish shared safety responsibility among intermodal equipment providers, motor carriers, and drivers.

Beginning in December 2009, intermodal equipment providers must have in effect regular and systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance programs for intermodal chassis; they will also need to track defects reported and repairs made. By December 2010, each intermodal provider is required to identify its equipment with a USDOT number. FMCSA’s final rule also outlines inspection requirements for motor carriers and drivers operating intermodal equipment.

Intermodal equipment providers will be subject to on-site reviews to ensure compliance with the new rules. Penalties for violating these rules range from civil fines to a prohibition on providing or operating intermodal equipment found to pose an imminent hazard.

Taken from: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/news-releases/2008/intermodal-containers.htm

Activities

Vocabulary

1- Match the vocabulary words on the left with the definitions on the right. Make sentences with each of them.

1. delivery __to transport in a vehicle; carry.

2. highways __an act of conveying or transporting.

3. carriers __in a motor vehicle, the frame supporting the body and
engine.
4. track __the act or process of enforcing.

5. chassis __a major public road.

6. provide __a fixed position or attitude, such as one assumed by a
model.

7. enforcement __to make or grow strong or stronger.

8. haul __to supply; furnish.

9. strengthen __to monitor the movement of.

10. pose __a commercial delivery company.


2- Read the text and state its main idea.
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3- according to the dialog, say true or false.

____ New rules issued today could significantly strengthen safety requirements for intermodal container chassis.

____ FMCSA Administrator John H. Hill is definitely against taking measures related with chassis equipment used to transport goods.

____ Equipment providers, motor carriers, and drivers are all responsible in intermodal transportation.

____ It is necessary to carry out regular inspections to intermodal chassis.

____ This text is focused on commerce rather than transportation.

4- What is happening in your country with regards regulations on transport? Discuss with your partner.
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5- In ten minutes, write a synthesis of this text. Exchange you writing with your partner for correction and grading.
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