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More short lines are reporting rail-car events since an industry-wide standard took effect Jan. 1, but many small roads still aren't complying, according to American Short Line and Regional Railroad Associations' (ASLRRA) bi-monthly newsletter released yesterday.

Class Is require accurate and timely event reporting — electronic messages stating a car's most recent status, such as track location, yard entered or departed, or interchange point — to support shipment tracing functions.

Thirty-two short lines that previously weren't reporting events now are complying and 207 small roads have increased overall reporting. Also, 226 railroads had an overall compliance rating of 75 percent or better in January. But 175 short lines' compliance rating was less than 75 percent and 150 small roads had a zero rating.

Class I representatives recently sent a survey to the zero-reporting short lines to determine how they can help the small road operators improve their rating, ASLRRA officials said.

Since 2000, an ASLRRA integration team comprising representatives from the association, short lines, Class Is and RAILINC Corp. has been trying to prompt more short lines to provide accurate and timely event reports.