WASHINGTON, D.C — December 6, 2025

The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) has announced a new temporary waiver program authorizing railroads across the United States to expand the use and testing of automated track inspection (ATI) technology. The announcement was issued through an official DOT press release made public earlier today by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

According to the statement released by the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, the temporary waiver is designed to give the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and participating railroads the ability to gather real-world data on how automated inspection systems perform when compared to, or used alongside, traditional visual inspections. The waiver period is set to last for up to five years, during which railroads may integrate ATI systems into their inspection cycles under specific terms approved by the FRA.

In its first-hand release, the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION emphasized that the waiver does not eliminate manual inspections or alter safety requirements that railroads must meet. Instead, the waiver allows ATI technology to operate in a broader capacity so that FRA can determine whether automated systems improve inspection accuracy, enhance safety outcomes, or identify track defects more efficiently than human-only visual reviews. The DOT described the program as a method to “evaluate the impact” of ATI technologies and to collect detailed performance and safety data in active rail environments.

The announcement notes that ATI systems use a range of specialized tools and sensors capable of continuously assessing track conditions over long distances. These tools can measure alignment, profile, geometry, and other structural characteristics of rail infrastructure. Under the waiver, railroads are permitted to increase the use of ATI technology in order to test how these inspections integrate with existing maintenance and safety protocols. The DOT stated that expanding access to ATI testing “will allow the industry to unlock the latest and greatest methods of preventing accidents before they occur,” while still maintaining the federally required levels of safety oversight.

The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION highlighted that the purpose of the waiver is not to reduce or replace existing safety obligations but to gather evidence that will help determine whether ATI technology could play a larger role in rail safety frameworks in the future. The agency noted that the long-term goal is to evaluate whether automated inspection tools can detect defects earlier, reduce human exposure to hazardous working conditions, or enhance the efficiency of national rail inspection programs.

According to the DOT’s official statement, any permanent changes to inspection regulations would only be considered after the waiver period concludes and the FRA completes its review of all collected data. The agency reaffirmed that safety remains the central priority and that all existing operational and inspection standards continue to apply during the waiver’s duration.

The approval of the temporary waiver marks a significant step in the federal government’s broader effort to modernize rail safety oversight. By enabling expanded real-world testing of automated systems, the DOT seeks to determine whether this technology can strengthen safety outcomes for freight operations, passenger travel, and maintenance crews alike. The results of the multi-year test period will determine how ATI technology may be incorporated into future federal regulations.

Appalachian Post will continue monitoring federal transportation initiatives and regulatory changes as first-hand releases become available.

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Sources

• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION — Official press release announcing the Temporary Waiver Program for Automated Track Inspection Technology