KEY FACTS
- ATI improves safety and efficiency beyond outdated manual-only rules.
- It reduces risk to workers, detects defects more accurately, and speeds up repairs.
- Blending ATI with visual checks boosts rail safety while increasing network capacity.
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Adapted for listening and narrated by a real person. Read the full narration at the bottom of this page.
Sustained railroad infrastructure investment and advancements in track safety—through technologies like automated track inspections (ATI), improved track components, and enhanced maintenance practices—have led to significant safety gains. Consequently, freight rail is one of the safest industries in the nation.
Railroads are use sophisticated automated technologies to enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability across the network. Advanced data analytics, predictive maintenance, and automation enable smarter decision-making and proactive issue resolution. By harnessing AI and machine learning, railroads process vast amounts of real-time data to optimize performance and reduce disruptions.
Technological solutions are imperative to achieving an accident-free future. While not mutually exclusive, ATI technologies that track geometry conditions outperform mandated manual inspections. These inspections use only the human eye and handheld tools. Data shows that blending ATI with visual inspections further increases rail safety. These innovations, alongside broader automation efforts, are driving the future of freight rail. They ensure a safer and more efficient transportation system.
Track inspections regulations are as old as 8 track tapes.
In 1971 (before the Staggers Act of 1980 reduced railroad economic regulation), FRA set the frequency visual track inspections must occur. These inspections involve a track inspector visually looking at railroad tracks. Inspectors use handheld measuring tools either on foot or while traveling in a truck specially designed to drive on railroad tracks (known as a hi-rail vehicle).
Today, trucks drive themselves, drones deliver food, and virtual assistants help run our everyday lives. But still, freight railroads are forced to operate under the same visual track inspection regulations from 1971. This was a time when the 8-track tape player was considered cutting-edge technology.
Railroads want to use updated technology to make the network safer.
ATI enables railroads to measure how the track structure performs under the load of a train. ATI systems use lasers and cameras mounted onto locomotives or rail cars and inspect track as the train travels across the network. The system tests each foot of track under the same force as exerted by a loaded train. The data from the inspection devices transmits to a centralized location. Then, employees schedule maintenance as necessary.
Railroads can inspect hundreds of thousands of miles per year by placing the automated equipment on a locomotive or in a boxcar. Railroads are looking to apply to expand testing along mainline routes, which covers most Class I trackage. At the same time, visual inspections will still be done at a reduced level.
Speeding Up Safety Inspections
ATI systems are a vital railroad safety tool for reducing track-caused derailments. Both freight railroads and the FRA have invested millions in this technology. This detects track geometry defects more accurately, consistently, and frequently than visual inspections. Thus, it enables faster repairs. ATI also generates extensive safety data, helping railroads assess track conditions. This enhances preventative maintenance and optimizes short- and long-term capital investments.
Safeguarding Rail Employees
ATI technology enhances safety by reducing track inspectors’ exposure to risk along the railroad right-of-way. FRA data shows frequent hi-rail vehicle accidents, particularly at highway-rail grade crossings. By integrating ATI into routine train movements—especially on high-speed main tracks—railroads can meet inspection mandates while minimizing unnecessary track occupancy. This lowers the risk to inspectors.
Improving Efficiency & Capacity
The blended use of ATI with visual inspections reduces the need for track inspectors to halt or slow down train traffic. This is to fulfill a visual inspection frequency. This aspect of ATI improves network capacity and reduces the number of opportunities for blocked crossing occurrences. FRA has been using automated track inspection geometry vehicles to improve track safety for over 30 years.
Read the AAR Audio Narration
Automated Track Inspections
This is AAR Audio, and you’re listening to Automated Track Inspections.
Rail safety has always depended on answering important questions.
One of those questions is: How do you make sure freight rail tracks won’t cause an accident?
For decades, that answer relied largely on trained inspectors walking the track or driving special trucks on the tracks while visually looking for defects.
Over time, railroads began using specialized railcars that automatically check the condition of the track as they travel across the network.
Today, the automated track inspection technologies have advanced even further.
Lasers, cameras, sensors, and advanced data analytics can inspect track more accurately, more consistently, and more frequently than ever before.
The challenge is that many federal inspection rules were written more than half a century ago, long before these newer technologies existed.
Railroads want to use the latest automated inspection tools alongside targeted visual inspections to help make an already safe network even safer.
It’s probably helpful to first understand how track inspections have traditionally worked.
Federal rules requiring visual track inspections were written in 1971.
At that time, inspectors walked the track or used specialized hi-rail vehicles that could drive on both roads and railroad tracks.
They looked for worn rails.
Loose fasteners.
Track movement.
And other conditions that required attention.
Those regulations haven’t been updated since 1971.
Computers have shrunk down to phones in our pockets.
Music has gone from records to Bluetooth in our ears.
Maps have evolved with the touch of GPS in our cars.
But the regulations that are meant to keep freight railroading safe are trapped in the Disco era when today’s technology could barely be imagined.
Because these regulations are so outdated, it makes it much harder for freight railroads to fully adopt modern tools like automated track inspections.
Instead of relying only on what someone can see, automated systems use lasers, high-definition cameras, and other sensors mounted on locomotives or railcars.
As trains move across the network, these systems measure the condition of the track under the weight of a moving train.
That’s an important distinction.
Some track problems only appear when thousands of tons of freight roll across the rails.
The inspection happens automatically during normal train operations.
Every measurement is recorded.
Every potential defect is analyzed.
And the information is sent to maintenance teams for review.
The result is better information.
Automated track inspections can detect subtle changes that are difficult or impossible to measure with the human eye alone.
Because the equipment rides on trains already traveling across the network, railroads can inspect hundreds of thousands of miles of track every year.
That means more inspections.
Earlier detection.
And faster repairs.
The data also helps railroads identify long-term trends so maintenance can be planned before problems develop.
Automated inspections also help protect railroad employees.
Traditional inspections often require employees to spend long periods working alongside active railroad tracks or driving hi-rail vehicles across highway grade crossings.
Automated systems reduce the amount of time employees need to spend in those environments.
Instead of fully replacing inspectors, the technology allows them to go from finders to fixers.
There’s another benefit.
Every visual-only inspection takes time.
In some locations, trains may need to slow down or inspectors may need access to busy sections of track.
By combining automated inspections with targeted visual inspections, railroads can inspect more track while reducing unnecessary interruptions to train traffic.
That helps improve both safety and network efficiency.
The future of track inspection isn’t people or technology.
It’s both.
Automated systems gather enormous amounts of information.
Using that data, skilled railroad employees verify potential issues and decide what maintenance needs to happen next.
Together, they create a smarter approach to railroad safety.
One that finds problems earlier.
Reduces risk for employees.
Speeds repairs.
And helps keep one of the world’s largest freight rail networks operating safely every day.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Automated track inspections use advanced sensors, data analytics, and real-time monitoring to detect defects earlier and more accurately, improving rail safety while reducing risks to workers. By combining automation with targeted visual inspections, freight rail can prevent accidents, speed repairs, and keep the network running more efficiently.