Creating a common view of the facts
Historically, resolving demurrage and storage disputes could require reviewing multiple and sometimes conflicting sources of information.
With RailPulse, participating customers and railroads can work from the same set of GPS-based arrival, departure, and dwell-time data. This data can be accessed directly by all railroads and customers on a shipment’s waybill, regardless of who owns the railcar. Instead of spending time reconciling different records, all parties can use a common source of information when questions arise. This shared view helps reduce confusion, improve transparency, and support a more efficient dispute resolution process.
"The new standardized framework is another step in the vision for RailPulse as delivering a better overall customer experience. Having standardized data that shippers and railroads alike agree on resolves a long-standing friction point." – Mike McClellan, RailPulse founder and Norfolk Southern Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
Helping build a better shipping experience
As Norfolk Southern continues investing in technology and collaboration to improve the customer experience, RailPulse is helping modernize how information is shared across the rail industry.
By establishing a common GPS data standard, it is helping customers and railroads spend less time sorting through conflicting information and more time focusing on moving freight safely, reliably, and efficiently.
RailPulse is a powerful example of how Norfolk Southern's investments in innovation can create benefits across the entire rail industry. What began as a commitment to improve visibility and customer experience has evolved into a shared platform that helps railroads, railcar owners, and customers work from the same trusted information.
By establishing a common GPS data standard, RailPulse is reducing friction, improving transparency, and helping the broader industry resolve issues more quickly and consistently. It allows customers and railroads to spend less time sorting through conflicting records and more time moving freight safely, reliably, and efficiently.
To learn more about this milestone, view the RailPulse LinkedIn announcement or check out the recent story in Railway Age.
By Kasandra Jenkins, Communications Manager
Kasandra Jenkins assists with external communications for Norfolk Southern, focusing on community impact, awards, and media relations. Kasandra joined NS in 2025, with more than 10 years of media relations, and corporate/crisis communications experience.
