What is the Damaged and Defective Car Tracking system?
DDCT is a web‑based application used to identify and track damaged and defective rail equipment under AAR Rules 1, 95, 107 and 108. It centralizes reporting, improves data accuracy and speeds up processing for damaged and defective cars.
Who should use DDCT?
Railroads, car owners and repair shops use DDCT to create incidents, track damage, provide disposition and report repairs.
How does DDCT benefit railroads?
DDCT streamlines incident reporting, eliminates defect card brackets, enables disposition requests, provides onsite depreciation estimates and supports faster repair or dismantling decisions.
How does DDCT benefit car owners?
DDCT provides timely information on damage, location and repair status, supports disposition decisions and offers onsite depreciation estimates to guide repair or scrap choices.
How does DDCT benefit repair shops?
DDCT provides accurate information about cars requiring repairs, defects noted by handling carriers and repair status, creating a smoother process for receiving and repairing cars.
Are companies required to use DDCT?
Yes. Rules 114 and 115 require car owners, railroads and repair shops to use DDCT for tracking cars under AAR Rules 1, 95, 107 and 108.
Does DDCT use Umler and other data sources?
Yes. DDCT uses Umler data and interfaces with the Event Repository, FindUs.Rail, Equipment Advisory, LCS and Industry Reference Files.
Is there a fee to participate in DDCT?
Yes. All car owners receive an annual invoice that includes development, operating, support and maintenance costs.
How long are closed incidents available in DDCT?
DDCT stores closed incidents for up to seven years.
How can users receive DDCT notifications?
Users must register in FindUs.Rail and add a contact under the Damaged and/or Defective Car Tracking category for notifications.
How does DDCT determine the end of a car’s life cycle?
A car reaches an End State when it is removed from an incident, repaired, dismantled or the owner accepts settlement. DDCT removes the car from the corresponding Informational Advisory.
Which Equipment Advisories are associated with DDCT?
Associated advisories include IN‑3000 for Rule 1, IN‑3001 for Rule 95, IN‑3002 for Rule 96, IN‑3003 for Rule 107 and IN‑3004 for Rule 108.
How does DDCT determine equipment responsibility?
DDCT uses the Stenciled Mark Owner to determine responsibility and allows the owner to transfer liability to a designated third party.
Does the car owner need to close the Information Advisory?
No. DDCT automatically removes a car from the advisory when repairs are reported complete or when the car reaches End State.
How are Movement Approvals and Temporary Certificates handled?
Federal Railroad Administration Movement Approvals and Transport Canada Temporary Certificates are handled outside DDCT.
Can users download DDCT incidents?
Yes. Users with permission to view an incident can download its details. Railroads in possession of a car can view the incident without confidential information.
Do government agencies have access to DDCT?
No. DDCT data is not furnished to government agencies. Agencies must obtain information from individual railroads.
Does not creating a DDCT incident affect billing?
Not at this time. Billing processes follow Rule 115 of the AAR Interchange Rules.
What equipment types are not covered under DDCT procedures?
DDCT does not cover locomotives, end‑of‑train devices, intermodal trailers, intermodal containers or passenger cars.
If the damaging railroad repairs the car, must it report the repair in DDCT?
Yes. For damage under Rules 1, 95, 107 and 108, the damaging railroad must create the incident and report repairs.
Who should register to use DDCT?
All employees responsible for handling equipment damaged or defective under Rules 1, 95A, 107 and 108 should register in DDCT and in FindUs.Rail for notifications.
Why is a company ID required for DDCT?
A company ID identifies the company using DDCT. It can be a generic ID, railroad mark, private mark, SCAC, shop ID or running repair ID. A one‑time fee applies.
What DDCT user roles are available?
Roles include Car Owner Admin, Car Owner Damaged Car User, Car Owner Defective Car User, Car Owner Read Only User, DDCT Company Admin, HC Damaged Car User, HC Defective Car User, Handling Carrier Admin, Handling Carrier Field User, Handling Carrier Read Only User and Shop User.
Does each DDCT role also require FindUs.Rail registration?
Yes. Users must register in FindUs.Rail to receive notifications related to their assigned mark.
Where can users learn more about DDCT?
Users can access demos, webinar slides, FAQs, the DDCT User Guide and the DDCT User Group through the DDCT product page.
How is disposition handled if a car must be reverse‑routed?
Disposition requires selecting the shop and adding notes with routing instructions for the handling carrier.
What happens when a car is received in interchange and damage is found?
This is a Rule 95b situation handled outside DDCT unless the delivering or damaging carrier creates an incident.