New App Makes Getting Wind Data a Breeze

As a common carrier operating in diverse conditions across vast landscapes, BNSF is constantly monitoring all aspects of weather, including the wind. Here in the Pacific Northwest, train crews use new technologies to track the wind and ensure safe passage through the region. BNSF has a network of wind stations across the system that measure

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BNSF’s Geo Cars Make Tracks Even Safer

BNSF takes every precaution to make sure that all track components including rail, crossties, spikes, bolts and plates and even the roadbed underlying the track are stable and dependable. One of the technologies used for inspecting tracks is its fleet of geometry cars, better known as “geo cars.” There are two types: the traditional geometry

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BNSF to Host 22nd Technology Awareness Day

BNSF will host its 22nd Technology Awareness Day celebration through a series of events February 23-26, 2021. BNSF’s Technology Awareness Day is part of the National Black Family Technology Awareness Week. Technology Awareness Day at BNSF is a local version of the campaign that aims to educate local minority youths about careers in technology and

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Streamlining Truck Entrance into Intermodal Facilities

BNSF has a long-standing history of utilizing technology to keep the global economy moving. As a technology leader, we’re constantly exploring and adopting new tools to enhance the safety and efficiency of our operations. Our South Seattle Intermodal Facility’s touchless automated in-gate system pilot program is a perfect example. The in-gate system admits trucks more

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BNSF Works 24/7 to Deliver Holiday Cheer

The holiday season brings a shift in people’s activities toward preparing holiday feasts and shopping lists. For BNSF, this magical time of year brings a continued commitment to delivering the goods needed to keep the holidays running smoothly. BNSF’s attention to rail logistics starts with the men and women who work around-the-clock to ensure our

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BNSF’s Cutting-Edge Technology on Display at Tech Day

Since its origins dating back to the 1800s, BNSF has been a leader when it comes to employing innovative technologies in its railroad operations and equipment. This longstanding practice was in full swing last month in Vancouver, Wash., when BNSF showcased the many ways it utilizes cutting-edge technology to safely and efficiently deliver the goods we all use every

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BNSF Leads the Way in Drone Technology

Railways might not come to mind when thinking of companies that utilize drone technology, but BNSF has been a leader in employing drones for years. BNSF first used drones in 2015 to monitor service interruptions during a flood event in Valley View, Texas. Since then, our drone capabilities have advanced with the help of our

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BNSF Leads the Charge for Battery-Electric Locomotives

In a world where fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly products are in increasingly high demand, BNSF is staying ahead of the curve by developing a battery-electric high-horsepower road locomotive. With the help of our project partner Wabtec, BNSF is expected to begin testing this emerging technology late 2020 once all the equipment and support systems

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Protecting Our Environment Through Energy-Efficiency

At BNSF, we strive to minimize our impact on the planet and to contribute to the long-term sustainability of every community we serve. Railroads are the most environmentally preferred mode of surface transportation and cutting carbon emissions is a priority as we move our customers’ freight via rail. Overall, our customers reduced their total carbon

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Using Artificial Intelligence to Create a Safer Railroad

BNSF’s safety goal of an accident and injury-free workplace is becoming more possible—with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). BNSF is utilizing AI technology to detect wheel defects, in which algorithms sort through more than 35 million readings a day to identify potential issues that could lead to derailment and other issues on our tracks.

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35 million Equipment Readings are Beamed to Fort Worth Every Day

BNSF utilizes advanced technology to improve safety and enhance efficiency across our railroad.  BNSF deploys more than 4,000 wayside detectors across our network that work in conjunction with our sophisticated predictive analytics tools to evaluate and act upon vast amounts of data, making our operations safer and more efficient. These systems can identify potential safety

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Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Gives BNSF Valuable Insight

BNSF continues to break ground in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – or drones – in the rail industry. We are becoming more involved in edge machine processing through which algorithms process data collected via drones in the field and then transfer it back to headquarters. In addition, camera systems installed on UAVs

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BNSF Renovates their Network Operations Center

BNSF has long been known as a quick adopter of new technologies. In 1995, BNSF created a Network Operations Center at their headquarters. Home to over 150 dispatches and other support staff, operations center recently completed a total renovation. With an operating floor the size of a football field, this facility handles 500 train starts

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