Safety
Union Pacific Railroad Achieves Best-Ever First Half Derailment Safety Performance
Omaha, Neb., August 14, 2014
Union Pacific Railroad achieved a record low 2.95 reportable rail equipment incident rate for the first half of the year (through June 30, 2014). This is a 4 percent improvement versus the same period in 2013, when the company reported a 3.07 reportable rail equipment incident rate, and surpasses the previous first half-year record of 3.01, set in 2010. A company's rail equipment incident rate is calculated using the number of reportable derailments per million train miles.
"Safety is ingrained in our culture at Union Pacific," said Bob Grimaila, Union Pacific Vice President - Safety, Security and Environment. "Our reduced derailment rate is driven by our dedicated employees who work hard to identify the causes of incidents and put effective solutions in place. This moves us one step closer to our goal of zero incidents."
Over the last 10 years, Union Pacific invested approximately $30 billion to strengthen its infrastructure and decreased derailments 23 percent. The prevention and risk reduction process includes, among others, the following measures:
- Using lasers and ultrasound technology to identify rail defects;
- Forecasting potential failures before they happen by tracking the acoustic vibration on wheels and heat trends on wheel bearings;
- Performing a real-time analysis of every rail car each time it passes a trackside sensor, equaling 20 million car evaluations per day; and
- Regular employee participation in rigorous safety training, including training to identify and prevent potential derailments.
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2004-2013, Union Pacific invested approximately $30 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.
Media Contact
Calli Hite
402-544-3026
callihite@up.com
