West State Alliance
West State Alliance Announces Press Release
New Truck Entrance and Exit at TraPac Terminal in Oakland, CA

Starting June 15, 2009
Please be advised TraPac Oakland Berths 30-32 has completed a major phase of their twenty month reconstruction project and will be opening their new truck entrance and exit gates starting on Monday, June 15th. The attached PDF file has two separate diagrams of the facility. The first is a general over view showing the locations of the new entrance and exit gates and the second an enlarged view of the new entrance gate, ingate queue, additional yard rows and traffic flows in this area.
 
TraPac's goal is to provide a smooth, efficient and safe transition starting June 15th and continue for the next four months. This same information has been distributed to all vendors, contractors, longshore locals and emergency responders so all personnel conducting business at TraPac have or will be informed of the change. Both personnel and traffic safety is a concern for all so TraPac is asking that all trucking company personnel follow the established terminal safety rules as posted- 10 MPH, stop at all posted intersections, drive defensively just to name a few.
 
TraPac will closely  monitor and enforce traffic flow/safety rules for all personnel on the facility which may include denying access to those individuals not following those established rules.
 
Again, TraPac wants to maintain an efficient and safe facility and asks for your assistance to distribute and review the attached information with the appropriate company personnel and drivers prior to their arrival at TraPac on June 15th. TraPac is currently distributing flyers with the attached information to everyone entering the facility starting today and will continue as required.
 
Jim Yanak, TraPac Oakland FSO and TraPac terminal personnel thanks you for your assistance.

Oakland International Container Terminal
 
MANDATORY RFID TAGS


Effective July 15, 2009
OICT will require trucks accessing the terminal to have a properly mounted and registered RFID Tag.  For trucks without tags, please register at www.emodal.com , then proceed to the RFID drop down menu and select REQUEST RFID TAGS.   Be sure to specify tag will be for use in Oakland.  
 
  • RFID Tags are FREE.
  • Use of tags will enable faster processing.
  • RFID Tags allow trucking companies to control the use of the company's trucking code.
Register your drivers, even those who may drive for other companies in addition to your own. Drivers can be registered to more than one company. They only need one tag.   If a driver already has a tag, please make sure to register the tag (truck) to your company as well.
Register your drivers even if they only make 1 trip a day/week/month.
Intermodal Equipment Marking

Under a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rule effective June 17,2009, intermodal equipment providers are required to mark each of their intermodal equipment units with the provider's name and USDOT number by December 17, 2010.

An "intermodal equipment provider" is any person that interchanges intermodal equipment with a motor carrier pursuant to a written interchange agreement or has a contractual responsibility for the maintenance of the intermodal equipment.

Intermodal equipment is trailing equipment used in the intermodal transportation of containers over public highways in interstate commerce, mainly chassis, but also including trailers.

To obtain a USDOT number, equipment providers must register with the FMCSA by filing Form MCS-150C, Intermodal Equipment Provider Identification Report, as described in §390.19.
 
Four options
Under §390.21(g)(4), intermodal equipment providers have four options for identifying their intermodal equipment. In all cases, the identification must include the provider's legal name or single trade name and the FMCSA identification number preceded by "USDOT." Anyone of the following four options will satisfy the identification requirement:
  1. Marking the identification on the curb side of the item of equipment. The marking must be in letters that contrast sharply in color with the background on which the letters are placed. The identification code must be readily legible, during daylight hours,from a distance of 50 feet while the vehicle is stationary. It must be kept and maintained in a manner that retains this legibility.
  2. Placing the identification marking on a label placed upon the curb side of the item of equipment. The label must be readily visible and legible to an inspection official during daylight hours when the vehicle is stationary. The label must be a color that contrasts sharply with the background on which it is placed, and the letters must also contrast sharply in color with the back-ground of the label. The label must be kept and maintained in a manner that retains this legibility.
  3. Marking the interchange agreement. The USDOT number of the intermodal equipment provider, as well as the VIN and 4-character SCAC code and 6-digit unique identifying number must be placed on the interchange agreement so that it is clearly identifiable to an inspection official.
  4. Placing the identification information on a document placed in a weather-tight compartment affixed to the frame of the intermodal equipment. The color of the letters used in the document must contrast sharply in color with the background of the document. The document must include additional information to identify the specific item of equipment (such as the VIN and 4-character SCAC code and 6-digit unique identifying number).
"Requirements for Intermodal Equipment Providers and for Motor Carriers and Drivers Operating Intermodal Equipment" was published in the December 17, 2008 Federal Register and is available at fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations.

Does this rule change safety requirements that apply to drivers and motor carriers?
Yes, the safety requirements have changed:
  • Before operating IME over the road, the driver accepting the equipment must inspect the equipment components listed in § 392.7(b) and be satisfied that they are in good working order; and
  • A driver or motor carrier transporting IME must report to the IEP, or its designated agent, any known damage, defects, or deficiencies in the IME at the time the equipment is returned to the IEP or its designated agent. If no damage, defects, or deficiencies are discovered by the driver, the report shall so indicate. The report must include, at a minimum, the items in § 396.11(a)(2).
About West State Alliance
West State Alliance represents the best interests of independent truckers, the trucking industry and the communities we serve by promoting the highest standards for safe, efficient and environmentally conscious container-load transportation services. WSA strives to be the most productive and positive force in the West Coast trucking industry.
As a trucking trade association, we promote legislative, regulatory and economic priorities favorable to small business and the transportation industry. Likewise, as a membership organization, we strive to ensure conditions that support fair and equitable treatment of independent truckers. We are the voice of the Port of Oakland trucker.