Assessing Rail Safety: Norfolk Southern's Accident Rate and Public Perception.

Norfolk Southern, once the U.S. rail company with the lowest accident rate, now has an accident rate slightly above the average of the country's six other Class-I freight railroads. Critics attribute this to a shrinking workforce and increased workload, leading to greater employee fatigue and human error. Norfolk Southern says its accident rate has stayed the same because its mileage traveled has gone down, shifting the ratio. The company has invested in safety systems and technologies at a level similar to its competitors. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a special investigation of Norfolk Southern's organization and safety culture.