| Cargo
Securement Standards Harmonization Committee Meeting - March 14, 1997
Delta
Chelsea Hotel
Toronto,
Ontario
RECORD
OF DECISIONS
In Attendance:
CVSA - R.
Fiste - Co-Chair, CCMTA - L. Pelletier - Co-Chair, CCMTA - S.
McAlister - Secretary, ITW Cargosafe - R. Abato, Manac Inc. -
J.-P. Begin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation - J. Billing,
Canadian Pulp and Paper Association - D. Church, Canadian Trucking
Association - G. Cooper, Ministere des Transports du Quebec -
J. Couture, Ontario Ministry of Transportation - R. Covello, Ministere
des Transports du Quebec - G. Desrosiers, National Rubber Co.
- D. Everest, Great Dane Trailers - C. Fetz, Allegheny Industrial
Associates - S. Gallant, American Association of Railroads (AAR)
- H. Grosso, Allegheny Industrial Associates - M. Johnson, Caristrap
International - L. Karass , Canadian Trucking Association - M.
LeBlanc, Columbus McKinnon Corporation - T. Lowery, Stone Consolidated
- R. Mailas, ITW Cargosafe - T. Martin, Forest Engineering Research
Institiute of Canada - J. Michaelsen, National Rubber - V. Mistry,
Transport Canada - J. Neufeld, CCMTA - J. Pearson, US Federal
Highway Administration - M. Schmidt, Massachusetts State Police
(CVSA) - P. Sullivan, Kinedyne Corporation - J. Takacs
1. Introduction
and Welcome
Ms. Pelletier
and Mr. Fiste the Co-Chairs of the Standards Harmonization Committee
welcomed participants to Toronto for the third meeting of the
Committee.
The Co-Chairs
outlined the purpose of the meeting indicating additional research
results would be presented, and the Committee would be asked to
review and provide comments on a revised draft of the North American
Cargo Securement standard. It was noted the Committee at a later
date would be responsible for developing an implementation and
communication plan for the North American standard.
A general
round of introductions were made.
2. Adoption
of Agenda
The agenda
was adopted.
3. Adoption
of Record of Decisions - September 15, 1996
- Charleston, West Virginia
The Record
of Decisions from the Charleston meeting were reviewed and approved.
4. Presentation
on Research Results - Principles for Standards Harmonization
Mr. Pearson
the Secretary for the Drafting Group noted Canada and the United
States had embarked on a comprehensive load securement research
project some three years ago with industry to gather data on cargo
securement systems. A series of tests had been undertaken and
the technical results were being prepared for release. In the
Spring of 1996 the first meeting of the Standards Harmonization
Committee was held with the objective of developing a new performance
based cargo securement standard which could be implemented uniformly
in Canada, the United States and hopefully Mexico. It was expected
the standard would be developed through collaboration between
governments and stakeholders from all three countries. It was
agreed participants would advise the Secretariat of other groups
which should be invited to participate.
The participants
reviewed and commented on the schedule which demonstrated the
5 phases of the project namely research, interpretation of findings,
standard development, training, and implementation. Some participants
suggested the schedule for standard development (July 1997) was
too ambitious. Information on the web site (www.ab.org\ccmta\ccmta.html)
and the consultation process was provided to participants. The
role of the drafting group in relation to the Harmonization Committee
was explained. It was noted both Canada and the United States
were committed to working together to deliver a North American
standard.
The processes
required to adopt by reference a uniform standard in Canada and
the United States were discussed. It was agreed this issue would
be reviewed upon completion of the standard.
a) Ontario
Ministry of Transportation
i) Summary
Report of All Testing and Recommendations
Mr. Billing
provided an overview of the full test program noting very little
was known about the interaction between the various elements of
cargo securement systems. The basic knowledge derived from the
research would be used as building blocks to develop a new North
American standard.
His presentation
provided data and recommendations on cargo securement fundamentals
such as anchor points, tiedowns, blocking, and friction (static
and under vibration). He summarized the results and recommendations
from the testing which had been completed on metal coils, metal
plate, and other commodities including boulders and palletized
loads. Mr. Billing provided clarification and elaboration on many
of the points and recommendations contained in his presentation.
It was noted industry had actively been involved as sponsors in
the research since the beginning. It was agreed copies of the
overhead presentation would be provided at the next meeting. It
was further noted efforts were being made to finalize the reports
for both the upcoming CVSA and CCMTA meetings.
ii) ISO
Containers
Mr. Billing
summarized the testing which had been undertaken on ISO containers.
The tests simulated driving over a curb, and both webbing and
chain tiedowns were evaluated. A brief discussion ensued on the
results for the standards harmonization initiative. It was noted
the final report would be available in the near future, and would
make recommendations which could be used in the new standard.
iii) Metal
Coil Testing
Mr. Billing
summarized the testing which had been undertaken relative to metal
coils and provided the results. He suggested it was preferable
that metal coils be transported by speciality vehicles equipped
with cradles. The use of rubber mats increases cradle deck friction.
The specific recommendations for tiedowns, blocking, and friction
for the transport of metal coils were reviewed and discussed by
the participants. Copies of the summary recommendations were made
available to participants for review.
b) Aluminum
Association
The Secretariat
advised participants that the Aluminum Association while not in
attendance at this meeting had undertaken some metal coil and
simulation testing as part of the research project. It was noted
the Association intended to report on these tests at the next
meeting of the Standards Harmonization Committee.
c) Association
of American Railroads (AAR) - Research Update
The Co-Chairs
welcomed Mr. Grosso to the meeting and requested a presentation
on the research which had been undertaken by the AAR relative
to cargo securement. Copies of the AAR "Intermodal Loading
Guide" and "Rules for Loading of Commodities on Open
Top Trailers and Containers" were circulated to participants
as background documentation for the meeting.
Mr. Grosso
by way of introduction presented a short video on the AAR research
facility and the testing program which had been initiated to limit
and control freight damage. Mr. Grosso indicated the performance
parameters for the AAR acceleration limits. These limits ranged
from a low of .6g to 3+g. The importance of unitizing the load
and increasing friction was emphasized. The AAR standard was designed
to ensure there was no excessive load movement, the restraining
systems perform successfully, and there was no equipment damage.
A discussion
ensued on whether the requirements contained in the AAR guides
were mandatory or recommended practices. Mr. Grosso indicated
the material for open top vans and trailers were mandatory, and
railways could refuse to transport commodities if the guidelines
were not followed. Concern was expressed by a number of the participants
relative to the costs of preparing cargo for shipment using the
AAR guidelines. It was agreed Mr. Grosso would supply information
on AAR standards M930 and M931 relating to trailer wall strength
for review by the Drafting Group. It was agreed the Drafting Group
would be directed to review the AAR guidelines for possible inclusion
in the North American standard.
d) Release
and Availability of Research Reports
The Secretariat
provided all participants with an order form noting 10 of 15 of
the CCMTA reports would be ready for distribution by the end of
April. He noted CCMTA would not be able to process the orders
until this time. The remaining reports for the project would be
released in June. Participants were advised they could also place
orders through the web site.
5. North
American Cargo Securement Standard - 3rd Draft
a) Overview
Mr. Pearson
provided participants with an overview of the third draft of the
North American Cargo Securement standard.
The proposed
scope and application of the standard (ie: applicable to all vehicles
over 10,000 lbs) was reviewed with the participants. These first
sections of the standard were endorsed again. The guiding principles
contained in the draft were reviewed and endorsed by the participants.
b) Review
Performance Criteria - Part 1
Mr. Pearson
noted the Standards Harmonization Committee had endorsed at the
last meeting the performance criteria, but had directed the Drafting
Group to further review these numbers and in particular to consider
the need to develop a criteria for vertical acceleration. Mr.
Pearson indicated the group had reviewed the issue again and was
now recommending the following performance and acceleration criteria
be used for the North American standard:
-
0.8g forward (braking);
-
0.5g for lateral (cornering);
-
0.5g rearward (impact loading dock);
-
02g vertical (bumps, rough roads).
A general
discussion ensued the performance criteria. Some participants
indicated they were not able to evaluate the criteria until they
understood how the criteria would affect their current load securement
practices. It was suggested and acknowledged current marginal
cargo securement practices should be prohibited. The translation
of the criteria into prescriptive requirements could only occur
after the Committee ratified the performance criteria. It was
noted the criteria were supported by technical literature and
were consistent internationally. Participants were encouraged
to provide literature which would suggest these criteria were
not appropriate for highway transport. It was noted in order for
the development of the standard to proceed the Committee would
have to endorse these criteria so that the more detailed sections
could be developed.
Discussion
turned to whether the acceleration figures used by the AAR were
compatible with the standard being proposed by the Drafting Group.
Mr. Grosso suggested that though the criteria were different he
believed them to be compatible to AAR requirements. Mr. Grosso
undertook to provide detailed comments on the performance criteria.
It was agreed the Drafting Group would be requested to ensure
the requirements are compatible for inter-modal applications.
It was agreed
the Committee would endorse the performance criteria with direction
to the Drafting Group to provide additional explanations so the
performance criteria will maintain the plain language requirement
and be understood by less technically inclined stakeholders.
c) Review
Cargo Securement Draft Standard
Mr. Pearson
provided a presentation relative to Parts 2 , 3, and 4 of the
draft standard. He indicated for style and format the Drafting
Group had utilized the Australian guidelines as a model. He noted
the Drafting Group intended to use and reference other applicable
manufacturing or industry developed standards when appropriate.
A general
discussion ensued on these sections of the draft standard. It
was suggested and agreed further elaboration would have to be
provided in the standard on the certification process to permit
innovative cargo securement practices which met the performance
criteria to be validated after the North American standard was
developed. It was agreed this issue would be addressed later in
the standard harmonization process. It was suggested the Drafting
Group be requested to consider a separate section for rubber as
a friction material. It was noted in the absence of a manufacturing
standard the Drafting Group would have to select a default value
and this might be zero. The approach adopted for these sections
was endorsed by the Committee.
Comments were
being sought from the Committee on the style and format of the
sections and not necessarily on the content as these were still
under development. In addition comments were sought on whether
the listed commodities were complete. It was suggested gyp rock
be added to the list. It was agreed the standard should reflect
common North American vehicles and cargo securement practices.
In order to avoid misunderstandings relative to Sections 3 and
4, Mr. Pearson undertook to place a caveat on the web site, and
confirmed the final standard would contain illustrations of North
American vehicles.
d) Schedule
and Timing
It was noted
the Drafting Group would be meeting prior to the next meeting,
and as such it would be important for participants to submit comments
on the standard in the briefest delay. It was agreed all participants
would submit comments by either the Internet, or hard copy to
the Secretariat by April 4th at the latest. It was agreed a further
draft of the standard would be prepared for review by the Committee
at the next meeting..
6. References
to Other Standards & Organizations
The Co-Chairs
indicated to the extent possible the new North American Cargo
Securement standard should not conflict with other standards,
and where possible these other standards could be incorporated
into the cargo securement standard. It was further noted groups
which had particular expertise like the WSTDA and TTMA would be
called upon to assist in the development of the standard.
a) Web
and Sling Tiedown Association (WSTDA)
Mr. Takacs
provided an overview of the work underway by the Association to
develop a marking and rating standard for webbing, winches, and
tiedowns. He indicated work was being undertaken to rate these
products so they could be properly used for cargo securement.
Copies of the standard were circulated to participants as background
documentation for the meeting.
A general
discussion ensued on the standard and the issue of minimum vs.
ultimate breaking strength. The relation to the working load limit
was also debated. The need to develop performance criteria for
the replacement of these components was identified as an issue.
Mr. Takacs indicated a revised standard for testing and rating
winches, and a standard for tiedowns on flat beds and van trailers
would be tabled at the next meeting. It was agreed participants
would provide comments to Mr. Takacs on the standard and further
report would be provided at the next meeting.
b) Truck
Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA)
Mr. Fiste
indicated the TTMA had been approached to provide information
to the Committee on bulkhead and sidewall strength in order to
factor these variables into the cargo securement standard and
systems.
Mr. Fetz indicated
he could not speak on behalf of the Association. He indicated
the truck trailer manufacturers do not have the means to respond
quickly to these types of requests as van body strength was not
mandated as a construction standard. He noted the Association
had formed a Task Force on Cargo Securement which might be able
to provide technical assistance to the Committee. Mr. Fetz undertook
to ensure the mandate of this group was provided. He suggested
the Task Force could be of assistance in providing recommended
practices for cargo securement. It was agreed a further update
would be requested from TTMA for the next meeting.
7. Training
and Education Materials - Initial Discussions
The CCMTA
Secretariat indicated the Committee mandate also included a provision
to develop means by which education and training on the new Cargo
Securement standard could be developed and distributed. Participants
were requested to note any good training material they had reviewed
and advise the Secretariat. It was suggested after the standard
had been developed the Committee should devote some time to determining
what materials were required, who would develop them and by what
means (partnerships) they could be distributed. The development
of joint training and education materials was endorsed by the
Committee. It was agreed a further discussion of this issue would
occur at the next meeting.
8. Updates
on Standards Initiatives
a) Canada
The CCMTA
Secretariat provided a brief overview of the Canadian regulatory
environment and the split jurisdiction between the federal and
provincial governments for cargo securement regulations. It was
noted Transport Canada had responsibility for vehicle manufacturing
standards while provincial/territorial Ministries of Transportation
were responsible for the on-road cargo securement regulations.
Mr. Neufeld
provided a brief overview of the federal regulation to require
anchor points on new vehicles, indicating a Canada Gazette Part
2 would be published in the near future. It was noted commitment
and support for a North American Cargo Securement standard had
been endorsed at the highest levels in Canada.
b) United
States
The CCMTA
Secretariat noted the US DOT had issued an Advanced Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) advising of FHWA's intention to review
Part 393 of the regulations. FHWA had sought comments on whether
this review should be conducted in the context of using the research
results to develop a North American cargo securement standard.
The comments to the docket had been favourable for pursuing this
initiative.
c) Mexico
The CCMTA
Secretariat advised that Mexico had been requested to participate
in both the research and standard development process. Mexico
had declined to participate in the research but had indicated
informally of their intention to participate in the standards
harmonization initiative. Mr. Fiste was undertaking to secure
a formal reply (Secretariat Note: Mexican officials will be in
Houston).
It was noted
at a later date the Standards Harmonization Committee would be
responsible for developing an implementation plan for the new
standard.
9. Other
Business
No other business
was identified by the participants.
10. Next
Meeting
It was agreed
the next meeting would be held Saturday, May 3rd, 1997 in Houston,
Texas just prior to the CVSA Spring meetings. An invitation was
extended to all participants to register and participate in the
CVSA meetings to be held later in the week. Mr. Fiste indicated
the meeting would be held in Salon 1, of the Wyndham Greenspoint
Hotel, 12400 Greenspoint Drive (Tel: (713)-875-2222). It was noted
additional meeting particulars could be secured from the CVSA
or the Cargo Securement web site.
11. Adjournment
Ms. Pelletier
thanked the participants for a productive meeting and adjourned
the meeting.
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