Freight rail is one of the safest industries in the nation.
This achievement is due in large part to the industry’s strong safety culture, visible in everything from training to operational protocols. Even so, accidents sometimes occur. Railroads prioritize investments to address and eliminate the causes of these accidents. Technology plays a crucial role in achieving that goal. Today’s rail technology enables railroads to inspect their track and equipment with greater efficiency and reliability. These advanced tools also empower rail employees to make better decisions, giving them an inside view of the rail network’s infrastructure well beyond what the human eye can see.
Thanks in part to these efforts, FRA data show that the last decade has been the safest ever for railroads, with the Class I railroads’ mainline train accident rate at an all-time low and down 49% since 2000.
