NS’s DRIVE Team ‘Improves Terminal Operations and Partner Communication’
The Driving Recognition, Innovation, and Value through Engagement (DRIVE Team) will focus on “enhancing safety and efficiency at intermodal terminals, while improving the service that NS and the driver community jointly provide to customers.”
According to NS, the DRIVE Team will host events, create routine touchpoints to gather feedback, and leverage those touchpoints “to improve driver and terminal processes.” For example, the DRIVE Team “aims to conduct periodic driver roundtables, launch a driver recognition program, and manage responses to inquiries and comments collected in the ExpressNS+ app,” the Class I stated in a release.
“We are always working to improve safety and efficiency at our terminals,” said VP Intermodal Automotive Operations Yannik Thomas. “The DRIVE Team will help us gather feedback and actionable ideas from our valued partner drivers, and I’m eager to see the results of this collaboration as we all work to serve customers that rely on Norfolk Southern’s rail network to move their goods through the global marketplace.”
The following NS representatives make up the inaugural DRIVE Team:
Council:
- Keith Burris- Group Manager, Domestic Intermodal
- Kam Patel- Group Manager, Process & Analytics
- Kenneth Rains- Director, Customer Logistics
Committee:
- Dale Dunn- Manager, Customer Logistics
- Jordan Masters- Market Manager, Domestic Intermodal
- Jeremy Smith- Assistant Manager, Customer Logistics
- Armand Poole- Assistant Manager, Customer Logistics
- Steven Sultzaberger- Senior Product Owner
- Brad Carpenter- Operations Manager
Safety on the terminal, NS says, is the first item the DRIVE Team will address. Whether it is in-gating, out-gating, or on-terminal activity, NS says it wants to help partner drivers execute their duties safely. To kickstart the safety campaign, the DRIVE Team created a flyer (below) with helpful instructions and reminders for the partner driver community. It is being disseminated to partner drivers across the Class I’s 22-state network.
