Chassis report system aims to meet FMCSA rules

Chassis report system aims to meet FMCSA rules    Software develop CONMAR said Monday it has started a new service to help the intermodal industry meet the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s chassis inspection requirements.
   TrucFlo is being developed by a joint venture between CONMAR and MetriTech, companies that have worked together for two years to develop the PierPASS and PortCheck systems in Southern California's ports.
   The FMCSA requirements affect intermodal equipment providers, terminal operators, motor carriers and drivers operating intermodal equipment. Drivers for licensed motor carriers must provide a written, signed report on the condition of the chassis they deliver to an intermodal terminal or depot, upon the truck coming into terminal gates with the chassis.
   “The TrucFlo solution is based on a simple and easy-to-implement design that allows truck drivers to report the status of an intermodal chassis using only a cell phone,” said joint venture partner Joe Palazzolo. “We wanted to develop a simple system that would not require the purchase of any equipment for users beyond what they already use daily, yet comprehensive enough to meet the new rules.”
   The TrucFlo system, the companies said, captures all nine components of chassis conditions required by the FMCSA regulations, supported by a customer service group based in Glendale, Ariz.
   Feedback is being sought from all parties to ensure success.