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Innovation
Operating Builds
Building on its heritage
Capacity
of innovation, Norfolk
Southern focused on
customer satisfaction in
2005 by integrating new
Annual Report 2005
systems that helped Norfolk Southern has prepared itself capacity and improve service on
operations remain to take on additional business and to the Meridian Speedway between
handle it effectively: Meridian, Miss., and Shreveport, La.,
consistent even with • A joint venture with Kansas City a critical connection between the
record volumes and Southern pending before the Surface Southeast and Southwest.
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Transportation Board will increase • Routing agreements with several
major weather-related
disruptions.
b y developing
inventive business solutions benefiting
the company as well as customers and
communities, and using performance-
enhancing technology, NS looks to the
future even as it hails its success as a
175-year company.
The continued efficiency of rail in the
multimodal global marketplace depends
on alliances and other cooperative
efforts to increase profitability and
improve service on the transportation
Superintendents of transportation Howard Gillespie, standing, Phil Turner, far left, and Wayne
infrastructure.
Baker keep their eyes on train movements and horsepower utilization at the operations control
center in Atlanta.
Annual Report 2005
Norfolk Southern Corporation
The Optimized Train Control system enhances train and operating efficiency by linking together a variety of data points with the Norfolk Southern
communications network.
major carriers streamline the exchange Expected to be operational in 2007, it will system combines data communications,
of traffic at major gateways. be one of the largest intermodal facilities positioning systems and onboard
on the NS network, with capacity to computers tied to a train’s control
Norfolk Southern focused on public-
support a full-scale logistics park. systems. It automatically verifies
private partnerships to serve the public’s
interests and improve service and
• Proposed work on corridor operating limits to help prevent
improvements such as CREATE collisions and other train accidents. OTC
capacity on the network:
(Chicago Regional Environmental provides improved visibility of network
• Proposed clearance improvements and Transportation Efficiency) will conditions and promotes more efficient
along the Heartland Corridor from
unscramble rail lines in Chicago, leading operations.
Norfolk to Ohio will create a seamless,
to increased efficiency for shippers and • NS is implementing its Unified
high-capacity and higher-speed double-
better traffic flow for motorists. Train Control System. Jointly
stack intermodal route across Virginia
developed by NS and General Electric,
and West Virginia to Midwest markets. Developments in technology
UTCS provides a seamless and disaster-
The western anchor of the project, continue to enhance NS’ rail operations:
hardened transportation management
the Rickenbacker Intermodal Facility • The company is preparing to test system. It replaces existing equipment
at Columbus, Ohio, is the result of an a system called Optimized Train
with networked, computer-aided
agreement between the Columbus Control between Charleston and
dispatching work stations that function
Rickenbacker Airport Authority and NS. Columbia, S.C., to enhance safety. The
with tactical NS information systems.
• Responding to increased demand
for rail freight transportation, NS hired
more than 2,400 train and engine service
and mechanical employees in 2005.
• The company enhanced training
for train and engine service employees
and reached more field employees
through coaching and mentoring. All
operations supervisors completed
training on leadership skills, including
communications and coaching.
• Planning for future work-force
Brig Burgess, Norfolk Southern Dearborn Division superintendent, addresses NS employees in
Atlanta about management career opportunities available within the company. changes, NS conducted career fairs to
inform agreement employees about the
Annual Report 2005
UTCS includes a promising new feature Norfolk Southern is working in
benefits of joining management ranks.
called the movement planner. Using a additional ways to improve safety and
virtual model of the NS rail network, customer service:
• The company developed operations
supervisor training for agreement
the movement planner formulates • The purchase of 222 new high-
employees who may choose to move
an optimal, system-focused train efficiency locomotives from late
into nonagreement supervisory
management plan with the objective of 2005 through the first half of 2006 will
Norfolk Southern Corporation
positions. Similar to NS’ management
maximizing on-time performance. increase productivity and help handle
• The company has refined its growth in traffic volumes. Also, in the
trainee program, it teaches leadership
skills, builds confidence and teamwork,
Thoroughbred Operating Plan, company’s largest-ever locomotive
increases knowledge of company
increasing capacity for freight and rehabilitation program, NS overhauled
operations, and makes management
making railroad operations more 491 locomotives and rebuilt 29 in 2005.
processes more consistent. The first
flexible. For the first time, the plan In 2006, NS expects to overhaul 420
group of employees began training in
incorporates intermodal and unit trains locomotives and rebuild 52.
dedicated to single commodities.
early 2006. t
• NS evaluates the benefits of
infrastructure investment
alternatives through a refined capacity
planning process using industry-
standard simulation software. The
process has led to capacity projects
on rail corridors between Memphis
and Chattanooga, Tenn.; between
Chattanooga, Atlanta and Jacksonville,
Fla.; and between Charleston and
Columbia, S.C.
Transportation management trainee Sarah Ponder operates a locomotive simulator at Norfolk
Southern’s Training Center at McDonough, Ga., near Atlanta.
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