Norfolk Southern Corp. plans to add additional track-side heat detectors and explore the use of newer types of sensors as the railroad aims to improve the safety of its operations following a derailment last month that spilled toxic chemicals in Ohio.
The steps are part of a six-point plan announced Monday that also includes accelerating the use of digital train inspections and exploring acoustic sensors that may help uncover axle problems. The initiative is based on the preliminary findings in the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the Feb. 3 crash, Norfolk Southern said in a statement.
The railroad’s shares were down 1.4% in premarket trading in New York. The company suffered another derailment over the weekend in Ohio, which didn’t involve hazardous materials and resulted in no reported injuries. U.S. train derailments dropped to 1,093 last year — or about three per day — down from 2,435 in 2004.
