"Our industry maintains its leadership position through innovations designed to improve the performance of our employees, our equipment and even the rail itself," said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. "This new report outlines how the railroad industry provides innovative, on-the-ground technologies and community programs that safeguard our customers' cargo, the communities we serve and our employees."

The State of the Industry report focuses on items such as safety investment, the role of "big data" in diagnosing and solving problems, the continued commitment by the rail industry to implement Positive Train Control technology as quickly and effectively as possible, emerging technologies such as drones and community-based training and outreach.

Hamberger says the ultimate takeaway from AAR's first State of the Industry Report is clear: an increased emphasis on rail network investments – $25bn annually over the last five years, on average – collaboration with customers and government and the development of new technologies combine to improve safety.

The AAR plans to issue multiple such reports each year, including two more in 2016, with each individual report focusing on a particular theme.

Source: AAR