(Source: Freight Waves, May 27, 2022)
The technology is using enhanced track geometry as part of an automated track inspection program to detect defects in the rail track that the human eye can’t see. But union members argue that the technology doesn’t cover all the elements of a track inspection. All of the Class I railroads, except Kansas City Southern, were granted permission from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to deploy pilot programs testing the technology. But FRA in recent months denied Norfolk Southern’s request to continue its pilot program after its expiration date, and the federal agency also declined to approve BNSF’s request to extend the program to two additional territories. That caused BNSF to sue FRA in federal court in April over the denial.
Full story: Freight Waves