- Train accident rate is down 44 percent since 2000.
- Equipment-caused accident rate is down 34 percent since 2000.
- Track-caused accident rate is down 53 percent since 2000.
- Derailment rate is down 44 percent since 2000.
Rail industry sets new safety record
posted by AJOT | Mar 22 2017 at 11:11 AM | Intermodal
Federal Safety Statistics Confirm Benefit of Sustained Investments and Technological Innovation, Open Door for Discussion on More Streamlined Government Processes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. railroads had the lowest train accident rate on record in 2016, according to data from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Derailment rates, which declined 10 percent in 2016 from 2015, as well as track-caused accident rates, are also both all-time lows. The 2016 rail safety statistics continue a string of record-setting years, showing this period has been the safest ever for the rail sector.
The freight rail industry believes there is a strong correlation between safety gains and the research, development and implementation of new technologies, as well as sustained private spending averaging $26 billion annually in recent years.
Notable statistics, calculated per million train miles using March 2017 FRA data, include: