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12/1/2023
Norfolk Southern Railway has begun implementing Yard Planner, a new technology solution, at its Norris Yard in Birmingham, Alabama.
The technology uses computer-aided decision making to reduce car switching, which enables cars to move and be assembled for outbound trains safer and more consistently, NS officials said in a website post.
The technology also enables preplanning moves hours in advance and incorporates safe train-build practices to move cars more safely and efficiently.
"Norfolk Southern is the first Class I railroad to implement Yard Planner and we are already seeing greater consistency of car movement,” said Joe Gioe, vice president of transportation.
In the future, the technology will produce real-time data for other platforms, such as Movement Planner, a system for train routing that uses automated decision-making capability. Both Yard Planner and Movement Planner are provided by Wabtec Corp.
NS launched Yard Planner in September and plans to fully implement the technology in early 2024 at Norris Yard with the introduction of computer-aided decision-making for outbound train assembly. Also in Q1 2024, NS expects to introduce the technology to another yard with the goal of implementing Yard Planner at all of its other hump yards.