During her visit to the Class I’s Atlanta headquarters, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy met with senior leadership to discuss NS’s progress in implementing safety initiatives aligned to the agency’s report. She addressed more than 80 operational leaders during the railroad’s Safety Summit, a three-day seminar bringing together labor leaders and field supervisors to “enhance the company’s safety culture.” Homendy also toured NS’s Network Operations Center and experienced a demonstration of RapidSOS, a technology designed to deliver immediate consist information to first responders.
“Had a productive meeting today in Atlanta with Alan Shaw and the NS leadership team,” Homendy wrote in an X (formerly Twitter) post. “He made clear his commitment to working with NTSB to advance safety and to not only support all of our East Palestine safety recommendations but exceed them.”
“This is a great first step. The NTSB’s work doesn’t end with a final report; it’s just the beginning for safety change. I look forward to continuing to work with the community, NS, and all of our recommendations,” Homendy added.
The NTSB national safety policy recommendations include initiatives to improve the performance of defect detection systems, modernize the nationwide tank car fleet carrying certain types of hazardous materials, and quickly put critical real-time information in the hands of emergency responders. NS says it continues to “support the goal of enacting bipartisan legislation that advances safety in the rail industry, including those safety policy initiatives aligned with the NTSB recommendations.”
Over the last 16 months, NS says it has “led the industry in implementing many safety enhancements and technologies that align with the NTSB recommendations,” including:
- Becoming the first railroad to partner with RapidSOS, a digital platform that connects devices over 16,000 emergency response agencies to immediately provide first responders with real-time access to train consists, train locations, and emergency response protocols.
- Continuing to advocate for more expedited phasing out of DOT-111 tank cars than federal regulations have provided given the Class I’s role as a common carrier under which it is obligated to accept DOT-111 tank cars.
- Announcing the formation of a Vent and Burn Workgroup—an element of the recent settlement with DOJ and U.S. EPA pending court approval—to assess current practices and protocols to improve coordination for future events where a vent and burn may be necessary. Norfolk Southern, with input from the Workgroup, will develop a Vent and Burn Coordination Procedure that could serve as an industry standard.
- Launching and implanting a Six-Point Safety Plan that includes installing 190 out of a planned 250+ additional hot bearing detectors, reducing core network average distance between detectors to approximately 12 miles; quadrupling acoustic bearing detectors; developing and deploying Digital Train Inspection Portals, using ultra-high-resolution cameras and machine vision; and investing in next-generation inspection technology.
- Continuing to invest in significant resources in training first responders on hazmat response. This includes breaking ground on a new regional first responder training center in East Palestine, Ohio, and investing $25 million in the new center; continuing to provide classroom and online resources, tabletop drills, and full-scale exercises to help responders prepare for incidents through the Class I’s OAR program; and participating in industry efforts to help communities develop emergency response plans.
- In collaboration with labor unions, becoming the first Class I railroad to join the FRA’s Confidential Close Call Reporting System.
- Bringing in world-class safety experts, AtkinsRéalis US Nuclear (ANS) to conduct an independent review and implement a 2-3 year roadmap of additional safety initiatives.
“We have a deep respect for Chair Homendy and the important work of the NTSB. We appreciate her leadership, willingness to collaborate with us on next steps, and direct engagement with our operational leaders,” said NS President and CEO Alan Shaw. “Norfolk Southern and the NTSB share the same goal when it comes to safety. We’re committed to taking action that addresses their recommendations and to becoming the gold standard of safety for the industry.”
Additional information is available in NS’s 2024 Midyear Report on Safety Accomplishments and Ongoing Initiatives.
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