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Pay vs Performance Disclosure | 12 Months Ended | 20 Months Ended | 83 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Apr. 30, 2022
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table | PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE TABLE AND RELATED DISCLOSURE
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment on December 31, 2019, Based On: |  |  |  |
Year |  | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO 1 ($) (1) |  | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO 2 ($) (2) |  | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO 1 ($) (1)(4) |  | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO 2 ($) (2)(4) |  | Average Summary Compensation Total for Non- PEO NEOs ($) (3) |  | Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($) (3) |  | Norfolk Southern Total Shareholder Return ($) |  | Peer Group Total Shareholder Return ($) (5) |  | Net Income (in millions) ($) |  | After-Tax Return on Average Invested Capital (%) (6)
(a) |  | (b) |  | (b) |  | (c) |  | (c) |  | (d) |  | (e) |  | (f) |  | (g) |  | (h) |  | (i)
2023 |  | 13,418,978 |  |  |  | 4,077,950 |  |  |  | 3,478,630 |  | 1,402,195 |  | 132 |  | 148 |  | 1,827 |  | 11.4
2022 |  | 9,770,910 |  | 9,615,456 |  | 10,444,401 |  | 1,969,194 |  | 4,239,302 |  | 4,343,073 |  | 134 |  | 130 |  | 3,270 |  | 14.1
2021 |  |  |  | 14,016,942 |  |  |  | 25,072,294 |  | 4,059,729 |  | 5,783,924 |  | 159 |  | 155 |  | 3,005 |  | 12.7
2020 |  |  |  | 14,125,279 |  |  |  | 12,202,837 |  | 3,976,507 |  | 2,785,700 |  | 125 |  | 122 |  | 2,013 |  | 10.4
| (1) | PEO 1: Alan H. Shaw has been our Chief Executive Officer since May 1, 2022.
| (2) | PEO 2: James A. Squires was our Chief Executive Officer from June 1, 2015, to May 1, 2022.
| (3) | The following non-principal executive officer (PEO) named executive officers (NEOs) are reflected in the averages: For 2023, Mr. George, Mr. Duncan, Ms. Adams, and Mr. Elkins. For 2022, Mr. George, Ms. Sanborn, Ms. Adams, and Mr. Elkins. For 2021, Mr. Shaw, Mr. George, Ms. Sanborn, and Ms. Adams. For 2020, Mr. Shaw, Mr. George, Ms. Sanborn, Ms. Adams, Mr. Scheib, and Mr. Wheeler.
| (4) | To calculate 2023 compensation actually paid, the following amounts were deducted from and added to Summary Compensation Table total compensation:
Summary Compensation Table to Compensation Actually Paid Reconciliation
|  | PEO 1 Alan H. Shaw |  |  |  |  |  |  | Average of Non-PEO Named Executive Officers |
Components of Compensation |  | 2023 ($) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2023 ($) |
Summary Compensation Table (SCT) Total |  |  | 13,418,978 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,478,630 |
Deductions From SCT Total |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock Awards and Option Awards Value |  |  | 10,000,331 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,200,920 |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |  |  | 2,171,580 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 582,978 |
Additions to SCT Total (i) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During the Year Remaining Unvested |  |  | 3,661,626 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,021,970 |
Change in Value During the Year of Prior-Year Awards Remaining Unvested |  |  | (1,213,133 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  | (410,891 | )
Change in Value During the Year of Prior-Year Awards Vesting During the Year |  |  | (225,683 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  | (123,238 | )
Dividend Equivalent Payments Made on Unvested Awards |  |  | 357,116 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100,656 |
Current-Year Pension Service Cost |  |  | 250,957 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 118,966 |
Value of Changes in Pension Plan |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Compensation Actually Paid |  |  | 4,077,950 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,402,195 |
| (i) | Amounts were calculated in accordance with the SEC methodology for determining compensation actually paid for each year shown. Fair values for equity awards were determined as of each measurement date using valuation methodologies and assumptions consistent with those used to estimate fair value at grant under US GAAP. The valuation assumptions used to estimate the year-end fair value of PSUs differed from those used for grant-date estimates in that they took into account the
| most recent estimated earnout percentage of the awards at each year end, and updated Monte Carlo simulations of relative total shareholder returns for Norfolk Southern and the relevant peer companies; and the vesting-date value of PSUs was calculated using the actual earnout percentage for the performance period. Year-end and vesting-date valuations of outstanding stock options used a shorter expected option term than the 7 years used for grant-date fair values to take into account the passage of time, and used updated risk-free interest rates to reflect changes in market interest rates between the grant date and the valuation dates. Both the year-end and vesting date valuations of PSUs, stock options, and RSUs used current share prices as of each valuation date, rather than the grant-date share price.
| (5) | The peer group total shareholder return calculations are based on the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Railroad Stock Price Index.
| (6) | After-tax ROAIC used here is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing Norfolk Southern’s net operating profit after-tax (defined as net income excluding interest expense, taxes on interest, and interest on operating lease liabilities, and adjusted for the effect of capitalizing Norfolk Southern’s operating lease obligations) by the average invested capital (defined as the average of the current and prior year-end shareholders’ equity and total debt balances, which is then adjusted for the effect of capitalizing Norfolk Southern’s operating lease obligations). As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, 2023 ROAIC is adjusted for the accounting charges relating to the East Palestine derailment and to exclude the effects of the acquisition of the Cincinnati Southern Railway. Excluding such adjustments, 2023 ROAIC would have been 8.4%.
Company Selected Measure Name | After-tax ROAIC |  |  |  |  |
Named Executive Officers, Footnote | The following non-principal executive officer (PEO) named executive officers (NEOs) are reflected in the averages: For 2023, Mr. George, Mr. Duncan, Ms. Adams, and Mr. Elkins. For 2022, Mr. George, Ms. Sanborn, Ms. Adams, and Mr. Elkins. For 2021, Mr. Shaw, Mr. George, Ms. Sanborn, and Ms. Adams. For 2020, Mr. Shaw, Mr. George, Ms. Sanborn, Ms. Adams, Mr. Scheib, and Mr. Wheeler. |  |  |  |  |
Peer Group Issuers, Footnote | The peer group total shareholder return calculations are based on the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Railroad Stock Price Index. |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote |
| (4) | To calculate 2023 compensation actually paid, the following amounts were deducted from and added to Summary Compensation Table total compensation:
Summary Compensation Table to Compensation Actually Paid Reconciliation
|  | PEO 1 Alan H. Shaw |  |  |  |  |  |  | Average of Non-PEO Named Executive Officers |
Components of Compensation |  | 2023 ($) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2023 ($) |
Summary Compensation Table (SCT) Total |  |  | 13,418,978 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,478,630 |
Deductions From SCT Total |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock Awards and Option Awards Value |  |  | 10,000,331 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,200,920 |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |  |  | 2,171,580 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 582,978 |
Additions to SCT Total (i) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During the Year Remaining Unvested |  |  | 3,661,626 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,021,970 |
Change in Value During the Year of Prior-Year Awards Remaining Unvested |  |  | (1,213,133 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  | (410,891 | )
Change in Value During the Year of Prior-Year Awards Vesting During the Year |  |  | (225,683 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  | (123,238 | )
Dividend Equivalent Payments Made on Unvested Awards |  |  | 357,116 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100,656 |
Current-Year Pension Service Cost |  |  | 250,957 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 118,966 |
Value of Changes in Pension Plan |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Compensation Actually Paid |  |  | 4,077,950 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,402,195 |
| (i) | Amounts were calculated in accordance with the SEC methodology for determining compensation actually paid for each year shown. Fair values for equity awards were determined as of each measurement date using valuation methodologies and assumptions consistent with those used to estimate fair value at grant under US GAAP. The valuation assumptions used to estimate the year-end fair value of PSUs differed from those used for grant-date estimates in that they took into account the
| most recent estimated earnout percentage of the awards at each year end, and updated Monte Carlo simulations of relative total shareholder returns for Norfolk Southern and the relevant peer companies; and the vesting-date value of PSUs was calculated using the actual earnout percentage for the performance period. Year-end and vesting-date valuations of outstanding stock options used a shorter expected option term than the 7 years used for grant-date fair values to take into account the passage of time, and used updated risk-free interest rates to reflect changes in market interest rates between the grant date and the valuation dates. Both the year-end and vesting date valuations of PSUs, stock options, and RSUs used current share prices as of each valuation date, rather than the grant-date share price.
Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount | $ 3,478,630 | $ 4,239,302 | $ 4,059,729 | $ 3,976,507 |  |
Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount | $ 1,402,195 | 4,343,073 | 5,783,924 | 2,785,700 |  |
Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote |
| (4) | To calculate 2023 compensation actually paid, the following amounts were deducted from and added to Summary Compensation Table total compensation:
Summary Compensation Table to Compensation Actually Paid Reconciliation
|  | PEO 1 Alan H. Shaw |  |  |  |  |  |  | Average of Non-PEO Named Executive Officers |
Components of Compensation |  | 2023 ($) |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2023 ($) |
Summary Compensation Table (SCT) Total |  |  | 13,418,978 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,478,630 |
Deductions From SCT Total |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock Awards and Option Awards Value |  |  | 10,000,331 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,200,920 |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings |  |  | 2,171,580 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 582,978 |
Additions to SCT Total (i) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During the Year Remaining Unvested |  |  | 3,661,626 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,021,970 |
Change in Value During the Year of Prior-Year Awards Remaining Unvested |  |  | (1,213,133 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  | (410,891 | )
Change in Value During the Year of Prior-Year Awards Vesting During the Year |  |  | (225,683 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  | (123,238 | )
Dividend Equivalent Payments Made on Unvested Awards |  |  | 357,116 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 100,656 |
Current-Year Pension Service Cost |  |  | 250,957 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 118,966 |
Value of Changes in Pension Plan |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |
Compensation Actually Paid |  |  | 4,077,950 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,402,195 |
| (i) | Amounts were calculated in accordance with the SEC methodology for determining compensation actually paid for each year shown. Fair values for equity awards were determined as of each measurement date using valuation methodologies and assumptions consistent with those used to estimate fair value at grant under US GAAP. The valuation assumptions used to estimate the year-end fair value of PSUs differed from those used for grant-date estimates in that they took into account the
| most recent estimated earnout percentage of the awards at each year end, and updated Monte Carlo simulations of relative total shareholder returns for Norfolk Southern and the relevant peer companies; and the vesting-date value of PSUs was calculated using the actual earnout percentage for the performance period. Year-end and vesting-date valuations of outstanding stock options used a shorter expected option term than the 7 years used for grant-date fair values to take into account the passage of time, and used updated risk-free interest rates to reflect changes in market interest rates between the grant date and the valuation dates. Both the year-end and vesting date valuations of PSUs, stock options, and RSUs used current share prices as of each valuation date, rather than the grant-date share price.
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return | Compensation Actually Paid Compared to TSR As shown in the chart below, compensation actually paid (“CAP”) to the PEOs and the non-PEO NEOs is aligned with total shareholder return on Norfolk Southern’s stock. This is primarily because the majority of compensation to the Named Executive Officers is in the form of long-term, stock-based incentives which are tied directly to stock price, as described in the CD&A report. Mr. Squires’ CAP was reduced substantially in 2022 due to his retirement on May 1 and the resulting pro-rata forfeiture of the stock incentives granted to him in that year, and partial-year payment of his salary and annual incentive award. Norfolk Southern’s cumulative TSR compared favorably with the peer group for 2020 through 2022, and declined somewhat in 2023 largely due to the effects of the East Palestine derailment. |  |  |  |  |
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income | Compensation Actually Paid Compared to Net Income As shown in the chart below, CAP to the PEOs and other NEOs is generally, but not directly, aligned with net income. This is primarily because the majority of compensation to the named executive officers is in the form of long-term, stock-based incentives which are sensitive to changes in stock price. Compensation to our Named Executive Officers is not tied directly to net income, although annual incentive awards are partially based on operating income. |  |  |  |  |
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure | Compensation Actually Paid Compared to ROAIC As described in the CD&A report, three-year average ROAIC is the primary performance measure that determines the number of shares earned under our PSU awards, and 50% or more of our Named Executive Officers’ long-term incentiv e awards are made in PSUs. Because of ROAIC’s impact on the number of PSU awards earned, we believe that after-tax ROAIC is the most important financial performance measure used in determining CAP to our Named Executive Officers. As required by SEC guidance, we are presenting our one-year ROAIC for each listed year, rather than our three-year average ROAIC. As shown in the chart below, Norfolk Southern’s annual after-tax ROAIC increased significantly between 2000 and 2022, and declined in 2023, and CAP to the PEOs and other NEOs is generally aligned with this performance measure. However, because the majority of compensation to the named executive officers is in the form of stock-based incentives, total shareholder return has a more significant effect on CA P. |  |  |  |  |
Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group | Compensation Actually Paid Compared to TSR As shown in the chart below, compensation actually paid (“CAP”) to the PEOs and the non-PEO NEOs is aligned with total shareholder return on Norfolk Southern’s stock. This is primarily because the majority of compensation to the Named Executive Officers is in the form of long-term, stock-based incentives which are tied directly to stock price, as described in the CD&A report. Mr. Squires’ CAP was reduced substantially in 2022 due to his retirement on May 1 and the resulting pro-rata forfeiture of the stock incentives granted to him in that year, and partial-year payment of his salary and annual incentive award. Norfolk Southern’s cumulative TSR compared favorably with the peer group for 2020 through 2022, and declined somewhat in 2023 largely due to the effects of the East Palestine derailment. |  |  |  |  |
Tabular List, Table | Most Important Performance Measures to Link Compensation Actually Paid to Company Performance The four measures listed below represent the most important performance measures we used to link compensation actually paid to our Named Executive Officers in 2023 to Company performance, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) sections titled “2023 Annual Incentives” and “Long-Term Incentive Awards.”
Most Important Performance Measures
After-Tax Return On Average Invested Capital
Operating Income
Annual Revenue
Total Shareholder Return
Total Shareholder Return Amount | $ 132 | 134 | 159 | 125 |  |
Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount | 148 | 130 | 155 | 122 |  |
Net Income (Loss) | $ 1,827,000,000 | $ 3,270,000,000 | $ 3,005,000,000 | $ 2,013,000,000 |  |
Company Selected Measure Amount | 0.114 | 0.141 | 0.127 | 0.104 |  |
PEO Name |  |  |  |  | Alan H. Shaw | James A. Squires
Measure:: 1 |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Name | After-Tax Return On Average Invested Capital |  |  |  |  |
Non-GAAP Measure Description | After-tax ROAIC used here is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing Norfolk Southern’s net operating profit after-tax (defined as net income excluding interest expense, taxes on interest, and interest on operating lease liabilities, and adjusted for the effect of capitalizing Norfolk Southern’s operating lease obligations) by the average invested capital (defined as the average of the current and prior year-end shareholders’ equity and total debt balances, which is then adjusted for the effect of capitalizing Norfolk Southern’s operating lease obligations). As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, 2023 ROAIC is adjusted for the accounting charges relating to the East Palestine derailment and to exclude the effects of the acquisition of the Cincinnati Southern Railway. Excluding such adjustments, 2023 ROAIC would have been 8.4%. |  |  |  |  |
Measure:: 2 |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Name | Operating Income |  |  |  |  |
Measure:: 3 |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Name | Annual Revenue |  |  |  |  |
Measure:: 4 |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Name | Total Shareholder Return |  |  |  |  |
Alan H. Shaw [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
PEO Total Compensation Amount | $ 13,418,978 | $ 9,770,910 |  |  |  |
PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount | 4,077,950 | 10,444,401 |  |  |  |
Alan H. Shaw [Member] | Stock Awards and Option Awards Value [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 10,000,331 |  |  |  |  |
Alan H. Shaw [Member] | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 2,171,580 |  |  |  |  |
Alan H. Shaw [Member] | YearEnd Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During the Year Remaining Unvested [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 3,661,626 |  |  |  |  |
Alan H. Shaw [Member] | During the Year of PriorYear Awards Remaining Unvested [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | (1,213,133) |  |  |  |  |
Alan H. Shaw [Member] | During the Year of PriorYear Awards Vesting During the Year [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | (225,683) |  |  |  |  |
Alan H. Shaw [Member] | Dividend Equivalent Payments Made on Unvested Awards [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 357,116 |  |  |  |  |
Alan H. Shaw [Member] | CurrentYear Pension Service Cost [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 250,957 |  |  |  |  |
Alan H. Shaw [Member] | Value of Changes in Pension Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 0 |  |  |  |  |
James A. Squires [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
PEO Total Compensation Amount |  | 9,615,456 | $ 14,016,942 | $ 14,125,279 |  |
PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount |  | $ 1,969,194 | $ 25,072,294 | $ 12,202,837 |  |
Non-PEO NEO | Stock Awards and Option Awards Value [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 2,200,920 |  |  |  |  |
Non-PEO NEO | Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 582,978 |  |  |  |  |
Non-PEO NEO | YearEnd Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During the Year Remaining Unvested [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 1,021,970 |  |  |  |  |
Non-PEO NEO | During the Year of PriorYear Awards Remaining Unvested [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | (410,891) |  |  |  |  |
Non-PEO NEO | During the Year of PriorYear Awards Vesting During the Year [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | (123,238) |  |  |  |  |
Non-PEO NEO | Dividend Equivalent Payments Made on Unvested Awards [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 100,656 |  |  |  |  |
Non-PEO NEO | CurrentYear Pension Service Cost [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | 118,966 |  |  |  |  |
Non-PEO NEO | Value of Changes in Pension Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure |  |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount | $ 0 |  |  |  |  |

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