Truckers who pull intermodal chassis could eventually have more assurances that the equipment is safe.

The White House's Office of Management and Budget has signed off on a list of proposed new requirements, which were part of the SAFETEA-LU highway funding legislation signed in August 2005.

That approval clears the way for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to begin the rulemaking process for the new regulations. Officials with FMCSA have said they want the new regs to:

• Require a U.S. DOT identification number on each chassis;
• Establish a systematic inspection, maintenance and repair program, complete with documentation requirements; and
• Require the chassis' owner to respond to any complaints from truckers.

In addition to adding these regulations for intermodal chassis, FMCSA officials want to tighten up and clarify existing rules, which includes proposing a separate application process and safety oversight program for motor carriers based outside North America.