The AI Train Has Left the Station on Rail Safety

AI inspections gain traction as regulators expand waivers, pairing automation with human oversight to boost rail reliability

21 Jan 2026

Artificial intelligence is beginning to play a larger role in how rail safety is managed across North America, as regulators allow wider use of automated track inspection systems alongside traditional methods.

The US Federal Railroad Administration has approved expanded temporary waivers that let railroads supplement mandatory manual inspections with automated technologies. The move stops short of allowing full replacement of human inspectors, but signals rising regulatory confidence that automation can reinforce existing safety regimes.

The decision comes as rail operators face mounting pressure from ageing infrastructure, labour shortages and higher expectations on safety and reliability. Regulators have framed the waivers as a way to test whether technology can improve oversight without weakening accountability.

One system gaining traction is RailAI, developed by engineering group Tetra Tech, which is now operating with several major freight railroads. The platform uses an automated railcar fitted with sensors and high-resolution cameras to inspect track conditions while travelling at normal train speeds. Data are analysed to identify defects or areas that require closer review by inspectors.

Instead of replacing workers, the technology is designed to flag potential problems earlier and more consistently than periodic manual checks alone. Proponents say this allows railroads to plan maintenance more effectively and reduce the risk of unexpected failures.

“Automation offers railroads improved visibility into network conditions,” said an infrastructure analyst familiar with federal pilot programmes. “When combined with human expertise, it can influence how maintenance is scheduled, how capital is deployed, and how emerging risks are prioritised.”

Rail operators say more frequent data collection can support steadier service for freight customers and passengers. Over time, large datasets may also help companies assess how traffic levels, weather and long-term wear affect track performance. Regulators, meanwhile, gain access to standardised digital records that can strengthen compliance monitoring.

Scepticism remains among labour groups and some safety advocates, who warn that automated systems may miss subtle defects that experienced inspectors can spot. The FRA has stressed that the technology is intended to assist, not replace, qualified personnel, and that validation and oversight will remain mandatory.

Even so, investment in automated inspection tools is increasing as railroads look for ways to manage vast networks more efficiently. Analysts expect AI-based monitoring to become a routine complement to manual inspections over the next decade, shaping how safety and maintenance decisions are made across the industry.