New safety plan unveiled after Ohio derailment

Norfolk Southern Corp. plans to add hundreds of track-side heat detectors in an effort to improve safety following a derailment that spilled toxic chemicals last month in Ohio.

The move is part of a six-point plan announced Monday that also includes exploring newer types of sensors, accelerating the use of digital train inspections and considering acoustic detectors that may help uncover axle problems. The initiative is based on the preliminary findings in the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation of the Feb. 3 crash,

Norfolk Southern said in a statement.

The railroad is under pressure from regulators, politicians and the broader public to bolster its operations after the crash, which released chemicals and prompted an evacuation of the rural community. The incident has become a talking point on Capitol Hill, with Chief Executive Officer Alan Shaw set to be questioned this week by a U.S. Senate committee. President Joe Biden has also said he would visit the site in East Palestine.

The scrutiny will likely increase after Norfolk Southern suffered another derailment over the weekend in Ohio.

The incident, which happened about 180 miles west of East Palestine, didn't involve hazardous materials and resulted in no reported injuries. But it has sparked a larger debate over train safety and criticism across the political spectrum, from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to former President Donald Trump, who visited the site last month.

While U.S. train derailments are down from two decades ago, there were still 1,093 last year, or about three per day.