Tech

How Is Technology Avoiding Train Accidents?

Published

5 years ago

March 26, 2021

Train crashes and train derailments happen worldwide every year; many remember the devastating 2013 Lac-Megantic derailment and fire in Canada that killed 42 people.

However, there is new technology being installed by train companies and railroads to reduce the chance of train accidents, which are highlighted below. Of course, accidents still happen, and it’s important to talk to an experienced train accident attorney if it’s happened to you.

Enhanced Train Braking

The United States now requires better braking on trains that carry flammable materials, such as oil and petroleum. Any train with a block of 20 train cars or more that has a combustible liquid must be fitted with a two-way end-of-train (EOT) electronic device or a distributed power braking system.

Both devices spread braking functionality across several points on the train for faster, more reliable stopping power.

Additionally, any train with 70 or more tanker cars with flammable contents at speeds above 40 MPH must have an electronically controlled pneumatic braking apparatus by May 2023.

These advanced technologies allow for better-controlled braking by allowing for more uniform and responsive braking pressure application. The bottom line is a shorter stopping distance, lower derailment risks, and lower chances of train car pileup if a derailment does happen.

Safer Tanker Cars

The tank cars involved in the Lac-Megantic tragedy were an older Class III variety, which was known to be likely to rupture even in a low-speed accident.

After that derailment, the US and Canada came up with a stricter tanker car standard called Class 117. The new car has better resistance to punctures, enhanced structural strength, and is resistant to fractures if a derailment happens.

However, it’s notable that Class III tankers are still allowed to be used in the US and Canada for some dangerous chemicals until June 2025.

Better Information Sharing

Technological advancements are allowing better information sharing between train operators and government agencies, which allows for more effective decision-making. For instance, Canada’s protective Direction No. 36 requires railroad companies to provide cities and counties with dangerous goods updates, including the number of trains, cars carrying hazardous materials, and more.

This information is designed to provide local governments with what they need to know for effective emergency responses and planning.

The US is mandating better classification of many petroleum-based products to ensure better record-keeping and packaging by requiring a documented testing and sampling procedure. This information is needed to be given to the US Department of Transportation when requested.

Human Error

While technological improvements reduce the chances of train accidents, human error can still occur.

For example, in the Lac-Megantic tragedy, the train carried millions of liters of crude oil through the small town in Quebec at a dangerous 65 MPH before veering off the tracks, killing 47 people.

A few hours before the wreck, the train idled in Nantes, Quebec, and the engine caught fire and was disabled by the local fire department.

There was no power from the engine, so air leaked from the braking system. Not enough handbrakes were applied, and the train rolled downhill out of control toward the small town of Lac-Megantic.

Some of the reasons for that crash were less about technology and more about humans failing to use technology. Some human failures in that derailment were failure to maintain the train engine, not understanding the connection between the engine and air brakes, and not setting and testing handbrakes properly.

Better training of train operators has been the norm in Canada and the US since that fateful day in 2013, but there is still more work to prevent future train accidents.

Tech

How iAsk Visual Search Captures and Delivers Detailed Insights from the World You See

Published

2 weeks ago

December 19, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: iAsk.ai

Byline: Shem Albert

There are moments when the world around you sparks curiosity, yet you do not even know the word for what you are seeing. You describe it in painstaking detail, type and retype, scroll through search results, hoping something matches. Minutes pass, sometimes longer, just to uncover a simple answer. That experience of encountering something unfamiliar and struggling to put it into words is all too common, yet often goes unnoticed. With a single photo, however, everything changes. iAsk Visual Search bridges that gap. Suddenly, the mystery becomes an opportunity to learn, experiment, or act in the moment.

Turning Discovery into Action

Using iAsk Visual Search is simple, yet the possibilities it opens up are immediate. You open the app and snap a photo of the object, diagram, or scene that has caught your attention. Instantly, the app identifies what it sees and provides context, turning a moment of curiosity into a starting point for exploration. From there, you can ask follow-up questions to dig deeper, consider alternatives, or uncover how something works in practical terms.

This goes far beyond basic identification. Where traditional image recognition might simply name an object or offer a brief description, iAsk lets you continue the conversation. It remembers the image, so you can explore multiple layers of information without starting over. What begins as a single observation quickly expands into actionable insights you can apply immediately.

Real-World Applications in Everyday Life

The real test of significance for iAsk Visual Search is how it is used in a user’s everyday life. Novice cooks and experienced chefs can rely on it to identify an unfamiliar ingredient and ask follow-up questions, such as preparation tips, cooking methods, or possible substitutions. Users can experiment with complementary flavors or adapt recipes based on what is available in their pantry, reducing hesitation and encouraging culinary creativity.

A quick snapshot of a street sign, menu, or product label in a foreign language is another way iAsk Visual Search supports everyday tasks. Users can ask follow-up questions to clarify translations, understand cultural context, or receive practical guidance. This enables individuals to navigate unfamiliar environments with confidence and ease.

These examples illustrate how iAsk Visual Search can become a versatile companion in daily life. It can serve as a travel guide, a study aid, or a creative assistant. Artists, crafters, and curious hobbyists can explore materials, techniques, or designs with guidance that is immediate and interactive. Each interaction transforms curiosity into tangible results, empowering users to act on the knowledge they gain instantly.

A Tool That Stands Apart

iAsk Visual Search stands out for its interactive, context-sensitive design. Users can maintain an ongoing dialogue with the app, exploring details without losing sight of the original image. This makes it possible to investigate complex subjects and adapt the information to specific tasks.

Privacy and accessibility are central to the experience. Images are not stored, personal data is not tracked, and there are no ads to interrupt the workflow. The app is available across multiple platforms without subscription barriers, making it accessible to students, parents, hobbyists, and professionals alike.

Curiosity Translated into Results

iAsk Visual Search turns a simple photo into an understanding you can act on. Whether it’s decoding a diagram, identifying an object, or untangling a confusing concept, a snapshot instantly delivers context, explanations, and next steps. It doesn’t just show you — it teaches you, guiding each discovery into something useful.

Every question becomes a chance to learn, explore, or create. From the kitchen to the classroom, the trailhead to the studio, iAsk makes the world clearer and curiosity immediately productive.

Snap. Ask. Learn. Then act. The answers are there. All you need to do is iAsk.