"Point, Call, and Trace" enhancing safety and operational performance

At NS, Safety is our core value. We’re always pursuing and innovating new ways to better protect our team and strengthen our operations. One way we’ve done this is through the adoption of Point, Call, and Trace — a technique designed to eliminate miscommunication and improve attention to detail.

Originally developed in Japan and widely used across Asian railroads, Point, Call, and Trace involves physically pointing to an object or indicator, verbally calling out the action or observation, and tracing the movement or path to reinforce accuracy and awareness.

Transportation instituted the Point, Trace, and Call method in 2024, and the impact continues to be significant, helping to reduce FRA-reportable human-factor accidents by almost 60% through the end of May, and delivering the best FRA Reportable Train Accident Rate through the first five months of a year in over a decade.

Mechanical has also enacted Point, Call, and Trace requirements with positive results, reducing human-factor accidents in that department by nearly 40% year-over-year.

“Point, Call, and Trace is our standard; a clear and concise process to commit to safety and operational excellence with a renewed energy,” said Sean Kennedy, Director Mechanical Operations. “It provides a science-based, tried and true method of engaging your body and mind into every task at hand.”

The expansion of our Point, Call, and Trace standard is about increasing alignment, improving communication, and enhancing our safety culture across all departments. When utilized fully, it engages the ground person and operator to execute a clearly established and confirmed route to ensure a safe movement of equipment during car and locomotive inspections, maintenance, and yard operations.

As Point, Call, and Trace adoption expands across the company, we’ll continue to monitor results, gather feedback, and support teams with training and resources. Our shared goal is to ensure every member of our team goes home safely, delivering operational excellence each day.