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

Evo Tech Reveals New Features for Evolution AI to Improve Threat Detection

Published

1 week ago

April 1, 2026

Jonathan Grilli

Photo Courtesy of: Evo Tech

Byline: Mae Cornes

MADISON, Wis— Evo Tech announced new updates to its flagship platform, Evolution AI, designed to enhance threat detection and real-time data analysis for intelligence, security, and law enforcement agencies. The upgraded system introduces expanded capabilities in pattern recognition, automated alerts, and data aggregation to improve response accuracy in critical operations.

The company’s latest release focuses on enabling faster identification of potential threats across multiple data streams, including text, imagery, and audio inputs. By combining adaptive machine learning models with advanced verification tools, Evolution AI now provides a more precise and scalable method for detecting irregular or suspicious activity.

“Security challenges are growing more complex as data sources multiply,” said Maria Pulera, Evo Tech’s representative. “Our goal with these new features is to help agencies detect threats earlier and reduce the time between data discovery and action. These tools are built to support real-world decision-making in fast-moving environments.”

Among the new enhancements are:

Automated Threat Classification: The platform can now categorize potential risks based on severity and relevance, allowing analysts to prioritize investigations more effectively.
Cross-Platform Data Fusion: Evolution AI aggregates data from both structured and unstructured sources, presenting analysts with unified, real-time insights across visual, audio, and textual inputs.
Adaptive Anomaly Detection: Using machine learning, the platform learns from historical data to recognize unusual activity patterns and flag potential security concerns automatically.
Enhanced Visualization Tools: New dashboard designs allow users to view correlations, track trends, and monitor data sources simultaneously with improved clarity.

Evo Tech’s development team designed these upgrades to help intelligence and defense organizations address increasing information volume and data fragmentation. According to industry reports, global data generation is expected to exceed 175 zettabytes annually by 2026, underscoring the need for advanced analytical tools that can handle large-scale, multi-format data securely.

Pulera added, “Our technology aims to reduce the manual burden on analysts while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity. We’ve focused on features that allow agencies to operate more efficiently without compromising security.”

The company’s engineering team also confirmed that Evolution AI’s infrastructure supports deployment in secure, private networks, aligning with the data protection requirements of defense and intelligence clients. Evo Tech plans to continue rolling out additional modules throughout 2025, with a focus on multilingual data analysis and predictive threat modeling.

Evo Tech’s latest updates come as governments and private institutions invest heavily in AI-driven security technologies. Market forecasts from MarketsandMarkets estimate that AI in defense and security applications will surpass $13 billion by 2028, reflecting a growing global emphasis on automation and early threat detection.

About Evo Tech
Evo Tech is an artificial intelligence company specializing in data analysis and intelligence automation for security and defense operations. Its flagship platform, Evolution AI, integrates machine learning, big data processing, and adaptive analytics to enhance decision-making in high-volume, high-security environments. The company’s mission is to deliver reliable, real-time solutions that strengthen operational efficiency and intelligence accuracy across the public and private sectors.

Contact Information:

Maria Pulera, Representative

EVO Tech

https://evoai.tech/

[email protected]