FRA initiative allows for more automated track inspections

WASHINGTON The Federal Railroad Administration on Dec. 5 granted a five-year waiver enabling wider implementation of automated track inspection technology, ending a prolonged period in which similar requests had remained unaddressed.

In a letter to the Association of American Railroads, FRA Chief Safety Officer Karl Alexy stated that the agencys Railroad Safety Board concluded that expanding eligibility to additional railroads would allow a broader evaluation of how enhanced TGMS (track geometry measurement system) testing performs when paired with a standardized reduction in visual inspections. According to Alexy, the board determined that this expansion aligns with both public interest and national rail safety.

The waiver includes twelve specific conditions. These require railroads to provide 30 days advance notice, identify the subdivisions included in the programwhich cannot be altered for one yearconduct automated inspections of all main lines and sidings in those subdivisions at least monthly, and reduce visual inspections from twice weekly to once weekly. Participating railroads must also submit monthly and annual testing reports and notify the FRA within 24 hours of any derailment occurring on track governed by the waiver.

FRA Administrator David Fink said the decision gives the industry a chance to show how automated track inspection can boost both safety and operational efficiency. He noted that ATI systems are designed to supplement visual inspections by identifying issues that can be overlooked by human inspectors. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy added that the waiver will help railroads detect potential hazards sooner by pairing traditional inspections with advanced monitoring technology.

FRA consideration of automated inspection waivers had previously slowed under Administrator Amit Bose, who denied several requests from major freight carriers while not acting on others. The agency later introduced a proposed rule requiring railroads to ensure that automated inspections would not lead to job losses.

The AAR petitioned the FRA on April 24, 2025, seeking permission to rely on a combination of automated and visual inspections. In response to todays approval, the organization said the decision marks progress and that its team is reviewing the technical requirements. The group emphasized that Automated Track Inspection is a proven safety tool and that expanding its use will improve reliability and safety throughout the U.S. rail network.

Several labor unions opposed the waiver during the public comment period. The Transportation Trades Division of the AFL-CIO and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division argued that visual inspections detect numerous defect types that automated systems cannot. The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen stressed that on-site inspections remain essential, calling any reduction in those inspections a troubling shift that threatens safety. The SMART-TD union also voiced strong opposition, describing the waiver as a retreat from established safety practices.

The FRA decision comes shortly after a Washington Post editorial criticized the administration for delaying action on the AAR request, questioning why the current administration would continue policies that had previously been faulted for regulatory inaction.

Author: Aiden Foster