Norfolk Southern’s second Digital Train Inspection (DTI) Portal has been deployed this month in Jackson, Georgia, where approximately 19 trains pass through daily. This is the first DTI portal in Georgia and the closest portal to Atlanta. These cutting-edge portals, developed in collaboration with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), are part of a larger effort to enhance safety across our 22-state network.

Pictured: Norfolk Southern Digital Inspection Portal in Jackson, Georgia

Each portal is equipped with state-of-the-art Machine Vision Inspection technology featuring a setup of 24-megapixel trackside cameras and powerful stadium lighting to capture ultra-high-resolution, 360-degree images of passing railcars. The synchronized cameras snap 1,000 images per rail car, even as trains speed through at up to 70 miles per hour, detecting defects at angles that are difficult to see during stationary inspections.

Pictured: Norfolk Southern Digital Inspection Portal in Jackson, Georgia

The images captured by these portals are then analyzed by advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms developed by our Data Science/AI team. To date, approximately 40 algorithms have been deployed to detect defects with high accuracy and minimal false alarms. Identified issues are promptly flagged and reviewed by experts at our Network Operations Center, ensuring proactive maintenance and immediate handling of any critical defects.

“We prioritize railroad safety at Norfolk Southern, and we have an unwavering commitment to raising the bar when it comes to safe operations,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw. "Partnering with the GTRI on these DTI Portals further exemplifies our dedication to being the gold standard for safety in the rail industry."

At the DTI Portal unveiling in Jackson, John Fleps, Norfolk Southern Vice President Safety, spoke to attendees about the placement strategy of these portals: “Within our network, we move freight from one high-density location to another, multiple times a day. When deploying our DTI Portals, the goal is to carefully select locations that ensure the inspection of as many of our train cars as possible.” 

Norfolk Southern Vice President Safety discusses Digital Train Inspection portal in Jackson, Georgia.

The community response to the DTI portals is overwhelmingly positive, including in Juliette, Georgia. Mary Beth Odom owns the Whistle Stop Café in Juliette. Her business sits alongside the Norfolk Southern mainline on which the Jackson DIT Portal was deployed. When speaking to local press, she remarked, "I'm kind of blown away by it. I've never seen anything like that. I've never even thought about something like that being possible, but I think it's great.”

Norfolk Southern’s first DTI Portal was deployed in Leetonia, Ohio, in October 2023. Six additional DTI Portal sites will be fully operational by the end of 2024, and 11 more portal sites by 2026. Learn more about the innovative ways we are advancing safety at NorfolkSouthern.com.