Union Pacific Deploys Operational Technology to Manage Safety Risks

Union Pacific is advancing operational technologies to mitigate safety risks and support train operations across its rail network. The technology deployment follows a year of improved safety performance, with the company focusing on implementing technical systems that lower risk exposure while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Automated Track Inspection and Machine Vision
The railroad utilizes automated track inspection and Positive Train Control (PTC) to manage infrastructure integrity and prevent operational incidents. To refine these monitoring workflows, the company is deploying Machine Vision and advanced data analytics platforms.

These diagnostic tools are engineered to scan infrastructure and identify potential equipment anomalies during earlier phases of wear. By utilizing predictive data analytics to guide maintenance decisions, engineering teams can prioritize structural repairs, reducing the overall time employees spend on active tracks and minimizing operational risk exposure.

Energy Management Systems and Operational Performance Metrics
In train operations, Union Pacific implements Energy Management Systems (EMS) to calculate throttle and braking adjustments in real time. The automated control system is designed to reduce operational variability and reinforce uniform handling practices.

Based on performance data from 2025, the deployment of EMS resulted in an 81% reduction in train separations across standard operations. For intermodal train configurations, the data showed a 100% reduction in train separations. This systemic decrease in equipment separations minimizes the operational requirement for train crews to perform manual inspections along the track, reducing physical exposure to trackside slips, trips, and falls.

Remote Operations and Regulatory Alignment
The company continues to utilize secondary systems, including Remote Control Operations, which have been active within the network for over two decades. These systems incorporate automated safeguards, such as camera-based point protection, to establish layered visibility.

The evaluation, testing, and field deployment of these automated tools are executed in continuous coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to verify that the software and mechanical safeguards comply with federal safety standards under real-world conditions.

Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.