Freight railroads are the safest way to move freight over land. The last decade was the safest ever for U.S. railroads, with mainline accident rates and hazmat accident rates at an all-time low.
Railroads work with their employees, suppliers and customers, and federal, state and local officials to safeguard the rail network.
Railroads’ holistic approach to rail safety focuses on four key areas: infrastructure and equipment investment; training and operational improvement; technology deployment; and community outreach and preparedness. The high standard that railroads apply to every aspect of operations underpins this approach. In fact, railroads often exceed federal inspection regulations while also advocating for tougher safety standards.
In March 2023, freight railroads announced seven key safety measures to help drive accidents to zero, including installing approximately 1,000 new detectors.