Norfolk Southern to implement new crew management system

Union Pacific subsidiary PS Technology has partnered with Norfolk Southern to create the new automated system that’s expected to boost Norfolk Southern’s operating efficiency, lower costs and increase productivity.    Norfolk Southern and software company PS Technology have agreed to develop a new train crew management and payroll system for phased future deployment throughout the Class I railway’s network.
   The automated system is expected to boost operating efficiency, lower costs and increase productivity, the companies said.
   PS Technology’s CrewPro software optimizes train crew assignments by factoring in employees’ work schedules and geographical operating credentials, federal regulations, and labor contract requirements, Norfolk Southern Vice President, Information Technology Fred Ehlers said.
   In addition to crew assignments, the software will manage payroll, taxi and lodging services, and vacation scheduling for about 11,700 Norfolk Southern transportation employees in train and engine services.
   A PS Technology spokesperson told American Shipper all Class I railways in North America use the company’s solutions to at least some degree, in addition to several Class II railways.
   Louisville, Colo.-based PS Technology is a subsidiary of Union Pacific, a Class I railway based out of Omaha, Neb. The software company’s crew management and timekeeping solutions have been used to manage the day-to-day operations of over 100,000 employees that run, maintain and support rail operations across more than 120,000 miles of rail.