The nation's freight railroads are set to embrace a new era of technology-driven track inspections, thanks to a federal government approval that allows them to reduce human inspections. This shift, however, is not without controversy, as unions and safety experts raise concerns about the limitations of automated systems. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has been pushing for this change, arguing that modern technology can detect issues early and effectively, reducing the need for frequent human inspections. The AAR's request was granted, allowing railroads to cut inspections to once a week, a significant reduction from the twice-weekly requirement established in 1971. This decision is based on extensive testing by BNSF and Norfolk Southern, which found that safety improved even when inspections were reduced to twice a month. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has set conditions, requiring immediate repairs for serious defects and addressing all defects within 24 hours.
However, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWE), representing track inspectors, has raised concerns. They argue that automated systems can miss critical issues like ballast shifting and rotting ties, which are essential for track stability. Tony Cardwell, BMWE President, emphasizes that visual inspections are crucial for detecting everyday defects that technology struggles to identify. The union believes that automated inspections should complement, not replace, human inspections, as reducing inspections could increase derailment risks. The railroads, however, counter that the technology will notice symptoms of these problems through track geometry changes.
BNSF supports the FRA's decision, citing two years of testing where their technology detected 4.54 defects per 100 miles, compared to 0.01 defects detected by manual inspections. The AAR's Mike Rush explains that the technology assesses the ultimate performance of track components, ensuring track geometry maintenance. Norfolk Southern's comments highlight the importance of special inspections during severe weather events, ensuring track integrity. Despite concerns, the railroads argue that this shift will free up inspectors to focus on manual inspections of switches and equipment, maintaining overall safety.
