BrazilLogistics and transport2018 – ongoing

Rumo

AI added to broken-rail detection on the freight network

Rumo's AI-assisted rail break detectors cut train-stopping alerts by 50% in a two-month trial

In progressCompany's own claim

Problem

Rumo's devices along its freight network flagged suspected broken rails, but false alarms stopped trains or forced speed restrictions.

Approach

The detection project began in 2018. Rumo added AI to the detectors to improve accuracy and cut false alarms, and ran a trial in August and September 2022. Afterwards it began upgrading 60% of its broken-rail detectors with AI and moved to an assisted-operation phase.

Results

50%reduction in notifications that stopped trains or required speed restrictions in the trialCompany's own claim[1]

102fractures detected with AI in the trial, against 96 broken rails expected over the two monthsCompany's own claim[1]

Takeaway

Adding AI to existing trackside devices reduced alerts that stopped trains. The figures come from a two-month trial reported by Rumo.

Sources

AI improves broken rail detection
Railway Gazette International3 Dec 2022News article

Source summaries

[1]Railway Gazette International3 Dec 2022

Trade report on Rumo's use of AI in broken-rail detection, a project begun in 2018. It gives the trial results for August and September 2022 and says 60% of detectors were being upgraded afterwards. It also reports 14 false alarms identified.

Full details are in the original sources.

Added 1 Nov 2026 · Updated 1 Nov 2026