USA: RailPulse will make certified GPS location and timing data the shared record for demurrage and storage charge disputes among participating shippers and member railroads from October 1, 2026.

RailPulse GPS data standard will govern demurrage and storage disputes from Oct. 1 using certified railcar telemetry records.
Photo: railpulse.com

One shared timeline for charge disputes

Under the new RailPulse framework, data submitted by subscribers and generated through the platform will be treated as the definitive record, subject to limited exceptions. The rule applies between participating subscribers and seven member railroads: CPKC, CSX, Genesee & Wyoming, Iowa Interstate Railroad, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific and Watco.

Demurrage and storage charges arise when railcars remain at a facility beyond agreed time limits. Disputes can become difficult when a shipper and railroad rely on different arrival, departure or dwell records. RailPulse says the common dataset is intended to remove that initial disagreement over which timeline should be used.

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Certified telemetry will supply the evidence

The framework uses events captured by certified telemetry devices installed on subscriber-equipped railcars. Arrival, departure and dwell data will give both sides the same sequence of location and timing records when a charge is challenged.

RailPulse describes its technology platform as vendor-neutral infrastructure that receives railcar telemetry in the cloud, standardizes it and delivers cleaned data through an online portal or API. Its equipment standards are designed to produce consistent information even when subscribers use devices from different certified vendors.

Railroad billing processes will remain in place

The change does not replace individual railroad tariffs or billing procedures. Accessorial charges will continue to be billed through each railroad’s existing process, while shippers will use the shared RailPulse record when presenting a demurrage or storage dispute.

“Having standardized data that shippers and railroads alike agree on resolves a long-standing friction point,” said Mike McClellan, RailPulse founder and Norfolk Southern senior vice president and chief strategy officer.

The framework is limited to participating RailPulse subscribers and member railroads from the effective date. Its reach will therefore depend on the railcars equipped with certified devices and the parties using the platform.

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