GUARDIANS OF RAIL – The Signal – 3/12/25
FRA DATA CONFIRMS RAIL SAFETY PROGRESS
Newly released 2024 data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) highlight the impact of ongoing investments in innovation, infrastructure, and workforce expertise on rail safety. Class I railroads set a record-low injury and fatality rate for the second consecutive year, reinforcing their commitment to employee safety.
Industry-wide, the train accident rate has dropped 33% since 2005 and 15% in the past year alone, demonstrating steady progress in making rail transportation safer than ever.
“A relentless safety culture and sustained private investments continue to make railroads safer for both the communities they serve and the dedicated rail employees who keep the industry moving,” said AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “Railroads remain focused on an even safer future, and 2024 results demonstrate real progress.”
Jimmy Carter: The Father of Amazon!? 😲
NEW PODCAST ALERT
The Advancing Transportation YouTube Podcast explores how deregulation under the Carter Administration turned struggling railroads into a powerhouse of economic growth through free-market policies. A must-listen for anyone who cares about America’s supply chain!
PROTECTING THE TRACKS
Union Pacific Dispatchers Earn Top Honors
More than 300 Union Pacific train dispatchers recently earned the 2024 Guardian Award for their critical role in ensuring safety across the rail network. Among them, five have received this honor for an impressive 25 consecutive years. Dispatchers, the guardians of rail operations, coordinate train movements across 32,000 miles of track, making thousands of safety-driven decisions daily.
RAILROAD 101
Freight Railroads Help Reduce Inflation
By keeping logistics costs in check and ensuring the smooth movement of goods, freight railroads play a key role in reducing inflationary pressures across the economy. Here’s how:
- More Fuel Efficient 🍃 Rail transport is 3-4 times more fuel efficient than trucking, on average. That means sharply lower greenhouse gas emissions. And since a train can take several hundred trucks off the highway, rail cuts down on highway congestion and the pressure to build new highways.
- Efficient Bulk Transport 💪 Because of their sheer size and brute force, railroads are ideal for moving bulk commodities like grain, coal, chemicals, and manufactured goods. By efficiently delivering large volumes of essential goods, railroads help stabilize supply and prevent price spikes.
- Supply Chain Stability 🔗 Freight rail networks help diversify transportation options, providing a critical alternative to trucking when highways face congestion or driver shortages.
- Capacity to Handle Increased Demand 👌 Railroads have the infrastructure to move high volumes of freight efficiently, preventing bottlenecks that can drive
RAIL INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
MARCH KEY TAKEAWAYS
Intermodal Led Rail Growth in February. February’s strong intermodal growth (up 6.4% YoY) highlights resilient consumer spending and strong port activity. Carloads faced weather disruptions and ongoing weakness in key sectors.
- Manufacturing Slump Pressures Rail Volumes. Industrial carloads fell 3.6% in February as manufacturing struggles persisted, with weak demand, supply chain disruptions, and lower new orders weighing on both production and rail freight demand.
- Trade Uncertainty and Inflation Loom Over Growth. 38% of rail carloads and intermodal units and 37% of rail revenue are directly tied to global trade. Changes in trade policy will clearly impact rail volumes.
- Continued Mixed Economic Signals. A steady labor market and services sector growth, but rising inflation, declining consumer spending, and falling consumer confidence could signal potential headwinds for rail demand.
Innovation Spotlight
TRAIN INSPECTION PORTAL GIVES EMPLOYEES LASER VISION
Norfolk Southern’s Digital Train Inspection portals combine AI-powered analysis with human expertise to enhance rail safety. These advanced systems examine railcars at full speed, capturing around 1,000 images per car and processing massive amounts of data in real-time.
In a groundbreaking achievement, AI autonomously detected a hairline crack in a wheel—an immense challenge in real-world conditions—enabling employees to take immediate action and prevent a potential incident.
☝ Check out the video to see the portals in action.
INDUSTRY READS
WSJ
White House Grants One-Month Tariff Exemption for Automakers
FreightWaves
Retailers see both danger and potential in Trump’s tariffs
Railway Age
STB’s New Chair Eyes Market Remedies
Trains
Musk puts privatization target on Amtrak
JOC
BNSF CEO says fighting cargo theft requires collective effort (Subscriber Content)
