House panel wants trailer tracking
Citing the potential security threat posed by truck trailers, the House Appropriations Committee has urged the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to develop an untethered trailer tracking and control system.
In its report on the transportation funding bill (H.R. 5559), the House panel suggested that FMCSA use $2 million to leverage existing technologies and develop a system that Issswould provide real-time trailer identification, location, geofencing, unscheduled movement notification, door sensors and alarms. The report does not state, however, whether the committee expects FMCSA to require carriers to install such a system.
The House and Senate have yet to pass their different versions of the Department of Transportation appropriations bill.
Comments extended on hazmat security
Two Department of Transportation agencies have extended until Nov. 15 the comment period on feasibility of imposing new security requirements on the transportation of hazardous materials. DOT also is expanding the scope of its July 16 advance notice of proposed rulemaking to allow security-sensitive comments.
In the ANPRM, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Research and Special Programs Administration had said they would disqualify comments that include information that may compromise transportation security. But in an Oct. 8 supplemental ANPRM, the agencies said such comments could be filed under procedures RSPA already uses to request confidential treatment.
For information, visit http://dms.dot.gov/search and search Docket No. 11650.
Periodic tire checks for hazmat halted
Effective Nov. 4, drivers transporting hazardous materials no longer will have to stop periodically to check their tires. In a final rule issued on Oct. 4, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said that the requirement is outdated due to advancements in tire technology and that it increases the risk of highjacking and theft.
Currently, drivers of vehicles with dual tires hauling hazmat must stop every two hours or 100 miles to inspect the tires. The rule was intended to prevent possible fires caused by overheated tube-type tires. Hazmat drivers must still check each tire at the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked.
ATA council explores security
The American Trucking Associations’ Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council is sponsoring a security forum Nov. 12-13 in Baltimore, Md. Speakers include representatives of the Transportation Security Administration, ATA, the law enforcement community, suppliers of security technology and leaders in trucking and logistics security.
For information, visit this site.
