Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.

The occupation "Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers" has an automation risk of 40.9%, meaning that while a significant portion of tasks could potentially be automated, the role is less vulnerable than some other transport and logistics jobs. The base risk for this occupation is estimated at 41.3%. The nature of the work includes a mix of routine, physical, and decision-based activities, which influences the overall automation risk. Advances in automation technology, particularly in tasks involving repetitive physical actions or clear-cut decision protocols, drive the risk level. However, certain elements of the role still require human judgment, coordination, and adaptability, thereby balancing the risk. The top three most automatable tasks for this occupation are "spotting cars for loading and unloading at customer locations," "observing and responding to wayside and cab signals," and "inspecting engines before and after use to ensure proper operation." These tasks are relatively structured and rule-based. For example, positioning cars can be guided by precise location-tracking systems, while signal responses can be integrated into automated train control systems. Similarly, engine inspections could be supplemented or replaced by IoT sensors and diagnostic algorithms. The structured, predictable nature of these activities makes them particularly susceptible to automation through robotics, AI, or embedded sensing technologies. In contrast, the top three most resistant tasks involve providing assistance during the installation or repair of rails and ties, operating special flatcars to transport personnel or equipment, and recording service and repair data for railcars. These tasks often require situational awareness, improvised problem-solving, and adaptive manual efforts—factors that are harder for machines to replicate reliably. Notably, bottleneck skills such as originality are crucial here, albeit only representing 2.0% each. The need for workers to adapt, improvise, or innovate—especially in unexpected situations—acts as a brake on full automation. Therefore, while the job as a whole has a moderate automation risk, these resistant tasks and bottleneck skills ensure a continued need for skilled human workers in the foreseeable future.