Association of American Railroads

Association of American Railroads America's freight railroads operate the safest, cleanest and most efficient rail system in the world — and at AAR we're committed to keeping it that way.

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08/24/2026

Freight railroads continue to invest in advanced technology that helps support a strong culture of safety across the rail network.

Digital Train Inspection Portals (DTIPs) scan trains as they pass at normal speed, capturing detailed data on key railcar components and creating a digital health record for each car.

By helping railroad employees identify potential issues sooner, DTIPs support more efficient inspections, targeted maintenance, and proactive repairs.

08/21/2026

We are back with another Harley Explains!

Just because a rail bridge looks old doesn't mean it's unsafe. Freight rail bridges are built to last and are backed by extensive inspection and maintenance programs.

Specialized teams of engineers and inspectors regularly assess every bridge, make repairs when needed, and use technologies like drones and sensors to monitor their condition.

When it comes to rail bridges, what matters isn't how they look. It's the engineering, inspections, and maintenance happening behind the scenes every day.

U.S. railroads are on the move! Our Policy and Economics team reports total U.S. rail traffic up 2.4% for the week endin...
08/21/2026

U.S. railroads are on the move! Our Policy and Economics team reports total U.S. rail traffic up 2.4% for the week ending August 15, 2026, compared with the same week last year.

Key highlights this week:

🪨 Metallic ores & metals: +19.2%

🌲️Forest Products: + 10.5%

🌽 Farm Products excl. Grain, and Food: +7.9%

📦 Carloads: + 1.9% year-over-year 🚛 Intermodal: + 2.7% year-over-year

Link in comments ⬇️⬇️

ICYMI: AAR's Policy & Economics team recently released the August Rail Industry Overview (RIO). One key takeaway is that...
08/20/2026

ICYMI: AAR's Policy & Economics team recently released the August Rail Industry Overview (RIO).

One key takeaway is that manufacturing and rail freight activity are more closely connected than many people realize. Manufacturing is expanding at its fastest pace in more than four years, and rail volumes continue to reflect strength across a broad mix of commodities.

Tracking rail traffic is one of the best ways to follow what's happening in the broader goods economy. The latest data points to continued momentum heading into the second half of 2026.

Link in the comments to the full report!

08/20/2026

AAR thanks U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration for this important investment in grade crossing safety.

Closing more than 30 grade crossings and modernizing over 1,000 others will reduce risk at crossings while improving mobility for motorists, pedestrians, and rail operations alike. Investments like these keep communities safer, ease congestion, and strengthen the freight rail network that keeps America's economy moving.

08/20/2026

Congratulations to Bernie Blalock Jr. on an incredible 50+ years in freight rail!

Bernie's career is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and pride that define our industry. His commitment to keeping trains moving safely and efficiently has left a lasting mark on railroading and serves as an inspiration to generations of railroaders.

☀️ Extreme heat can place additional stress on railroad tracks, equipment, infrastructure, and employees. To help manage...
08/18/2026

☀️ Extreme heat can place additional stress on railroad tracks, equipment, infrastructure, and employees.

To help manage these risks, freight railroads increase inspections, closely monitor weather and track conditions, and take steps to protect workers from heat exposure, including scheduling work during cooler parts of the day and using a buddy system to help identify signs of heat-related illness.

When necessary, railroads may also implement temporary speed restrictions. Combined with year-round maintenance and advanced technologies, these measures help identify potential issues early and support safe, reliable operations.

School is back in session! Before students open a notebook, sharpen a pencil, or head outside for a game of kickball, ma...
08/18/2026

School is back in session!

Before students open a notebook, sharpen a pencil, or head outside for a game of kickball, many of the materials used to create those everyday items have traveled through the freight rail network.

From paper and crayons to desks and playground equipment, the freight rail industry helps move the products that support learning, creativity, and fun. From classroom supplies to playground favorites, the freight rail industry helps keep back-to-school season on track.

08/14/2026

Hey, we're back with another Harley Explains!

How do products travel from ports to warehouses, stores, and ultimately your doorstep?

The answer is often intermodal transportation. Watch Harley break down how ships, trains, and trucks work together in one seamless network to move freight efficiently across the country and around the world.

DYK: Modern barcodes got their start on the railroad. Before barcodes were scanning groceries at the checkout, railroads...
08/13/2026

DYK: Modern barcodes got their start on the railroad.

Before barcodes were scanning groceries at the checkout, railroads were using machine-readable tags to track freight cars moving across the country.

The system, called KarTrak, used colored labels to identify railcars automatically as they passed scanners. At its peak, nearly 90% of U.S. freight cars carried the tags.

Although KarTrak eventually fell victim to dirt, weather, and wear, it proved something game-changing: physical objects could be automatically identified and tracked on a massive scale.

The next time you hear a barcode scanner beep, remember part of that story began in a rail yard.

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