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1/14/2025
BNSF Railway Co. is using the newest technology to enhance its operations, and artificial intelligence (AI) is proving to be a reliable way to gather and analyze rail data.
The Class I is pioneering new methods to harness that data and use it to improve reliability, safety and efficiency, BNSF Rail Talk staff writers Lisa Culos and Stephen Manning wrote in a recent article.
With the use of AI, BNSF officials can analyze inspection data more efficiently. For example, the condition-based maintenance team uses thermal sensors and machine vision systems to monitor over 1.5 million wheels across the network. AI algorithms then sift through more than 35 million readings from wayside detectors and can predict maintenance needs in advance and improve safety, the authors wrote.
At its intermodal facilities, BNSF is implementing a drone and algorithm-based inventory tracker called the automated yard check (AYC) system. The system collects real-time data about container locations, speeding up drop-off and pick-up for truck drivers and providing a better image of what space is available at the facility. Since AYC was launched, yard checks compared to manual methods have improved inventory accuracy by 20%, Culos and Manning wrote.
BNSF is using AI to assemble trains more efficiently. The algorithm is able to create optimized switch lists based on the cars’ destinations by analyzing historical data. This process reduced the overall number of switches made, improves consistency and increases capacity, while reducing carbon emissions.
The railroad is exploring other new AI initiatives, such as customer support agent assistance and load planning optimization.