The Canadian National Railway Company (CN) has decided to invest C$10m to acquire additional monitoring equipment to improve its ability to detect defects earlier.
As part of its programme, the company will acquire and install 30 new wayside units, even more brittle bar detectors, controlled signalling, an optical track inspection system that uses imaging to identify defects, and a new track geometry test car to monitor the position, curvature and alignment of track.
CN executive vice president and COO Jim Vena said: "The application of new detection equipment and modern safety technologies will improve the coverage of our network.
"The technology we’re deploying will keep us ahead of the industry in this field and strengthen our solid safety performance even further. Advanced technology, rigorous safety process and the continued strengthening of our safety culture are the key foundations of our unwavering commitment to safety."
Wayside equipment system units are used to detect hot bearings, hot wheels and dragging equipment, while brittle bar detectors are used to identify and flag derailed equipment to train crews.
CN claims that its main-track accidents fell by over 50% between 2002 and 2012.
The company has enhanced its wayside detection technology capability by 30%, while increasing the frequency of its ultrasonic rail flaw inspection by 70% since 2008.
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