Following Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) approval in November, the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) has officially launched its Global Intermodal Equipment Registry (GIER). This equipment-marking alternative was developed by IANA with the support of both intermodal industry partners and roadside enforcement agencies. GIER eliminates the need to physically capture and mark intermodal equipment in order to meet the roadability compliance guidelines.
Intermodal equipment is registered in GIER using the existing alphanumeric equipment marking, the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the vehicle registration (license plate number). GIER provides a searchable database that links these commonly found equipment marks to the Intermodal Equipment Provider (IEP) responsible for the equipment. This includes identification of the newly required IEP DOT number.
In order to identify the appropriate IEP, the roadability regulation initially offered four physical options for marking intermodal equipment. The industry petitioned FMCSA for reconsideration of the final roadability rule. As a result, the agency announced last month that it will amend the regulations to allow a fifth technology based intermodal equipment marking alternative. 'After months of waiting, I am glad that we finally are able to provide this streamlined, cost-saving compliance solution to the intermodal industry' said IANA President and CEO Joni Casey.
It is estimated that GIER will save the intermodal industry approximately $60 million dollars. As an added benefit, GIER provides the critical IEP information needed to enable electronic processing of Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) also required by the FMCSA's final roadability regulations.' Separately, IANA has developed electronic DVIR processing capabilities that are currently available for industry use in advance of the December 17, 2009 compliance deadline.
IEPs may begin registering their equipment in GIER by visiting GierRegistry.com and following the registration instructions. Based on ongoing discussions with IEPs, IANA estimates that over 300,000 pieces of intermodal equipment will be registered within the first month of GIER operations.
