![“A picture is worth a thousand words when it comes to documenting hazards, and the [Enablon] app allows just that,” says Carolyn David, Senior Manager, Safety Systems at CN. “It’s making a positive impact for our teams, who are empowered to look out for each other by reporting near misses or potential hazards. It means we can take any prompt corrective actions to keep employees safer.” (CN Photograph)](https://www.v2.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cnbriefs.png.avif)
CSX
CSX is adding an extra layer of protection for its workforce. The railroad on July 15 reported that its new Mobile Collision Safety system (watch video above) was “[i]nspired by advanced automotive safety systems” and combines GPS, cameras, radar, and LiDAR “to provide comprehensive coverage around heavy equipment.”
According to the Class I railroad, the system was born out of a growing concern over machine-to-machine collisions and employees working in high-risk zones.
“We started seeing more machine-to-machine collisions and our people being in the red zone of a piece of equipment,” said Shane Harrell, CSX Director of Work Equipment. “We saw this as an opportunity to reduce safety risks for our employees. At CSX, our goal is for everyone to leave work the same way they came to work.”
The project gained momentum through CSX’s InnovationX program, which is said to encourage employees to submit ideas for new technologies, process improvements, and other innovations to improve operations.
“That’s one of the reasons InnovationX was founded,” CSX Director of Innovation Elvis Higgins said. “There was a gap between what the company needed and what was available in the market. With the Mobile Collision Safety system, we’ve designed a solution tailored specifically to our needs.”
According to Higgins, the system “tracks objects as they enter the red zone—the high-risk area around machinery—and determines if there’s a collision risk. If a risk is detected, the system takes appropriate action to stop the equipment and prevent an incident.”
CSX said it is now installing the system across its fleet of heavy equipment.
Meanwhile, CSX recently partnered with the Florida National Guard to transport 1,265 military vehicles, systems, and containers from Fort Stewart, Ga., to Birmingham, Ala., where the equipment was interchanged for its destination at Fort Irwin, Calif. The operation was said to be the Guard’s largest rail load and deployment since World War II (watch video above). It required CSX coordination with more than 179 Army personnel.
Key CSX contributions included:
- “Operational Coordination: The CSX Military Operational Team partnered with CSX Transportation to identify laydown space, track infrastructure, and serving yards to support the surge operation.
- “Flexible Pricing Solutions: CSX marketing experts provided commercial pricing options tailored to the Army’s evolving readiness needs, offering flexibility for various scenarios.
- “Specialized Equipment: Network Operations coordinated a car supply solution using four specialized car types to accommodate unique equipment requirements. The CSX Government Waybilling team ensured accurate conversion of Army Commercial bills of lading into usable train documents.
- “Safety and Security: Over 1,000 pieces of military equipment were safely transported across a ten-unit train solution, with inspections conducted by CSX Mechanical and security protocols maintained by CSX Police.”
“This move was a testament to the power of teamwork, discipline, and a shared commitment to excellence,” CSX Senior Director of Military Clearance Dan Labyak said. “We thrive on tackling complex logistics challenges head-on. Our ability to collaborate, innovate, and execute with precision allows us to deliver exceptional solutions for our customers.”
CN
“Since 2022, CN has equipped employees across its network with a powerful tool to strengthen real-time safety reporting and hazard prevention: Enablon Go,” the railroad reported in the “Stories” section of its website on July 14 (see demo above). “As part of CN’s Safety Management System, Enablon helps employees log and track near misses and hazardous conditions directly from their mobile or desktop devices. This tool gives voice to every employee and delivers the kind of transparency and responsiveness that’s critical to reducing risk and protecting people.”
Users can report on the go, attach images, and receive notifications once hazards are addressed—all in one streamlined platform, according to CN.
Enablon, it said, enables:
- “Direct reporting by employees without needing to go through a supervisor.
- “Upload of photos, video, or audio for enhanced context.
- “GPS-tagged submissions for accurate location tracking.
- “Anonymous reporting options for sensitive observations.
- “Systematic feedback when corrective actions are completed.”
What sets Enablon apart? It isn’t just the technology, CN said; it’s how it connects reporting to resolution. Safety teams and managers can analyze trends, respond faster to site-specific issues, and put long-term improvements in place, according to the railroad. The system has helped CN to “improve visibility across business units and geographies”; “accelerate the time from issue identification to resolution”; and “empower employees with a direct role in building safer workplaces.”
Since its rollout, Enablon has been used to log more than 4,000 incidents and near misses, said CN, which noted that each one contributes “to a safer and more informed railway.”
Enablon’s impact reaches beyond the numbers. “It’s helping to reinforce CN’s safety-first mindset, embedding proactive reporting into everyday work,” CN reported. “Managers are trained to lead conversations using Enablon data. Frontline employees are supported with job aids and recorded sessions. Everyone is encouraged to speak up, take action, and follow through.”
Three years in and CN said its investment in Enablon continues to pay off: “As adoption expands and new features are added, the goal remains clear: ensure everyone goes home safely—every day.”
