Railinc has announced the launch of its Car Accounting Self-Service application, a tool that will enable car accountants to access and analyze data around car hire liability in a more effective manner. As a result, railroads, as well as other modes of transportation, will be able to resolve car hire liability issues and improve their reporting processes.

“The application is a powerful research tool that provides car accountants a window into car hire liability decisions,” said Allen West, CEO and president.

Before, car accountants had to submit requests to Railinc when they needed detailed information about their car hire liability decisions. Railinc performed the research and then provided the event information.

Through the application’s easy-to-use web interface, car accountants now can save time by performing searches themselves. The application translates event data into actionable information on scenarios such as Rule 5 transfers of liability. Users can view information on an individual piece of equipment for a range of up to 90 days and will have access to as much as 12 months of event data, beginning in January 2012.

The web interface also makes it easier for railroads to submit a Liability Acceptance Message (LAM) when erroneous event reporting has caused car hire responsibility to be assigned to the wrong carrier. The correct carrier can send an LAM through the application and accept car hire liability for a piece of equipment.