Abstract: A system and method for managing pools of fungible items, for example, a cooperative pool of cargo container chassis formed by more than one participating shipping company. The system and method provides a software and hardware environment which allows convenient electronic data interchange (“EDI”) to and from users who may be using a variety of EDI modalities. The system provides for analysis of data pertaining to chassis pool operation, chassis maintenance and repair, and pool administration. Rather than simply reporting tabulated data, the system and method performs trend analyses, and an imbedded expert system provides suggestions regarding actions to be taken to enhance pool efficiency. The system and method provides for automated execution of routine analyses, and also allows users to easily design and save their own custom analyses.

Abstract: A mechanical load indicator device continuously monitors the position of the frame of a vehicle relative to some point on the vehicle suspension. The load indicator device is calibrated to be triggered when a certain vehicle load limit is reached. When that load limit is reached or exceeded, the device is "triggered," providing an unambiguous visual indication to the vehicle operator that a vehicle overload condition has occurred. A method of installing, operating, and calibrating an overload detection system is also disclosed.