"Montana Train Derailment Report Spurs Demand for Automated Track Detection Systems"
Federal investigators have recommended that major freight railroads equip every locomotive with autonomous sensors to detect track flaws following a fatal Amtrak derailment in Montana. However, the cost and effectiveness of these sensors are still uncertain, and rail unions argue that they should not replace human inspectors. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report blamed BNSF railroad for the crash but noted that even with more frequent track inspections, the severity of the problems may not have been noticed without technology to enhance inspections. The installation of sensors on the tens of thousands of locomotives in the fleet would require a significant investment. Railroads have already spent millions voluntarily developing technology to improve safety, but regulators are considering drafting rules for automated inspection sensors.