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Modern Tools Power Our People and the Next Era of Rail Safety

Union Pacific delivered a record year for safety, and the railroad is building on that progress by advancing technology that reduces risk and supports employees in every aspect of the operation. The focus is constant: creating a safer operating environment by equipping employees with tools that help them do their jobs more safely and efficiently.

Union Pacific has a long track record of advancing safety technology, including Positive Train Control (PTC) - a nationwide system that helps prevent certain types of incidents - and automated track inspection, which helps detect potential issues before they impact safety or service. Today, that same approach shapes how new tools are evaluated and deployed, with continued coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), to ensure they meet rigorous safety standards.

Across the railroad, technology is equipping employees with better information, greater consistency and more control over their work. Tools like Machine Vision and advanced data analytics help identify potential track and equipment issues earlier, enabling teams to focus attention where it's needed most. Using data to guide decisions means employees can spend less time on the track, lowering exposure to risk.

The same approach extends to train operations, where technology is designed to support the people running the railroad.

Energy Management Systems (EMS) manage throttle and braking in real time, reducing variability and reinforcing consistent, proven operating practices. When EMS is engaged, Union Pacific recorded an 81% reduction in train separations in 2025. For intermodal trains, the improvement was 100% - reducing the need for crews to stop and walk the track, reducing their risk of slips, trips and falls, while improving reliability.

Additional proven technologies, including Remote Control Operations, have been safely used by Union Pacific for more than two decades, with safeguards like camera-based point protection adding further layers of protection. These advancements are continuously evaluated in coordination with the FRA to ensure they perform safely in real-world conditions.

The focus is clear: build on a record year for safety by equipping employees with advanced tools to do their jobs. By pairing innovation with frontline expertise, Union Pacific is strengthening decision-making, reducing risk and supporting the professionals at the center of every operation.

Visit UP.com/innovation to learn how Union Pacific continually advances technologies that enhance safety, aid employee decision-making and improve efficiency. 

Executing Union Pacific's Safety, Service and Operational Excellence strategy lays a strong foundation for creating America's first transcontinental railroad.