Norfolk Southern on Jan. 21 released its 2024 Safety Report (download below), “reflecting on accomplishments and initiatives from the last year. These milestones are a result of the company’s unwavering commitment to protecting its employees, customers and the communities it serves.”
NS said in 2024 it “achieved significant safety improvements, including a 40% reduction in the FRA reportable main line train accident rate. These results underscore the success of the company’s investments in cutting-edge technology, safety training, and collaborative partnerships.” The railroad pointed to:
- “Culture of Safety: Launched a series of safety leadership training events, equipping nearly 2,000 leaders from across the company with skills and expertise to further strengthen the company’s safety culture.
- “Technology Investments: Norfolk Southern doubled the number of autonomous track inspection locomotives to 20 and installed five new digital train inspection portals, bringing the total to seven.
- “Expanded Safety Infrastructure: The company installed more than 130 new hot bearing detector systems and deployed 17 new acoustic bearing detectors across its network.
- “Safety Training: More than 5,500 first responders were trained through the Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program, with more than 45,000 responders trained since its inception in 2015.
- “Commitment to Community Safety: Provided over $2 million in direct support to first responder organizations through the Safety First grant program.”
“We are committed to being an industry leader,” said Mark R. George, Norfolk Southern President and CEO. “We prioritize a culture of safety where keeping our employees and partners safe is the lens through which we make every decision, and where our Speak Up culture keeps us accountable to each other and those we serve.”
