F.R.A. Backs Automated Inspections

Federal regulators have opened the door to wider use of Automated Track Inspection across the U.S. rail network. The FRA approved a five-year waiver that lets railroads pair ATI with fewer visual track inspections on certain routes. Railroads using the waiver must scan all main lines and sidings at least once a month. They must also submit regular safety reports and notify the FRA within 24 hours of any derailment.

Carriers and the AAR say ATI improves safety and reliability by spotting geometry issues long before a field crew can. Labor groups disagree and argue that the real goal is cost cutting through fewer visual inspections and reduced headcount. That tension will shape how quickly railroads roll out ATI and which corridors see changes first.

At TLC, we treat this as a strategic inflection point, not just a tech upgrade. We are tracking waiver use, inspection intervals, and performance data by lane. That helps shippers understand risk, resilience, and service impact in plain terms. If you want a clear, unbiased view of how ATI may affect your rail moves, talk to us. Our team is ready to pressure-test your routing and contingency plans — fast freight, handled with TLC.