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Statistical Summary – Railway Occurrences 2014

Table of contents

Foreward

This document provides Canadians with an annual summary of selected railway safety data. It covers federally regulated railways only. Non-federally regulated data reported to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are not included in this report. The TSB gathers and uses this data during the course of our investigations to analyse safety deficiencies and identify risks in the Canadian transportation system.

On March 12, 2014, the TSB implemented new regulations that changed the reporting requirements effective July 1, 2014. These changes are reflected in this statistical summary.

Users of these statistics are advised that, in a live database, the occurrence data are constantly being updated. Consequently, the statistics may change slightly over time. Further, as many occurrences are not formally investigated, information recorded on some occurrences may not have been verified. The 2014 statistics presented here reflect the TSB database updated as of February 13 2015.

To enhance awareness and increase the safety value of the material presented in the TSB Statistical Summary — Railway Occurrences 2014, readers are encouraged to copy or reprint in whole, or in part, for further distribution of the data presented (with acknowledgement of the source).

The TSB is an independent agency operating under its own Act of Parliament. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety.

Comments on this document can be forwarded to the following address:

Transportation Safety Board of Canada
Communications Branch
Place du Centre
200 Promenade du Portage
4th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 1K8

Telephone: 819-994-3741
Facsimile: 819-997-2239
E-mail: communications@bst-tsb.gc.ca

Accidents

Overview of accidents and casualties

In 2014, 1,225 rail accidentsFootnote 1  were reported to the TSB (Figure 1), a 13% increase from the 2013 total of 1,087 and a 15% increase from the 2009–2013 average of 1,063.

Figure 1. Number of rail accidents, 2005–2014
Graphe showing the number of rail accidents, 2005–2014
Figure 1 data
Number of rail accidents, 2005–2014
Year Accidents
2005 1,476
2006 1,371
2007 1,334
2008 1,199
2009 1,055
2010 1,089
2011 1,044
2012 1,041
2013 1,087
2014 1,225

Freight trains accounted for 46% of all trains involved in rail accidents in 2014. Four percent (56 in total) were passenger trains with the remaining 50% comprising mainly single cars/cuts of cars, locomotives and track units.

The largest proportion of reported rail accidents comprised non-main-track derailmentsFootnote 2 and collisions (62%). In 2014, excluding crossing and trespasser accidents, non-main-track accidents accounted for more than three quarters of the total (79%) (Figure 2). Typically, most non-main-track accidents are minor, occurring during switching operations at speeds of less than 10 mph.

Main-track derailments and collisions accounted for 9% of all accidents in 2014, compared to 8% in the previous year.

In 2014, 15% of rail accidents involved vehicles or pedestrians at rail crossings, slightly down from 17% over the previous five years.

The proportion of other accident typesFootnote 3 (15%) in 2014 is slightly down from the previous five-year average (17%).

Figure 2. Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2014
Graph showing the percentage of rail accidents by type, 2014
Figure 2 data
Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2014
Type of accident Number Percentage
Main-track collisions 8 0.7%
Main-track derailments 102 8%
Crossing accidents 180 15%
Non-main-track collisions 112 9%
Non-main-track derailments 645 53%
Other 178 15%

In 2014, 174 accidents involved dangerous goodsFootnote 4, up from 145 in 2013 and up from the five-year average of 131. Five accidents resulted in a dangerous goods release in 2014, down from 7 in 2013, but up from the five-year average of 4. One of the 5 accidents involved a release of petroleum crude oil.

Rail fatalities totalled 57 in 2014, down from 126 recorded last year (including 47 fatalities at Lac-Mégantic) and down from the five-year average of 86. Crossing fatalities totalled 21 in 2014, down from 30 in 2013 and down from the five-year average of 26 (Figure 3). TrespasserFootnote 5 fatalities totalled 33 in 2014, compared to 44 last year and 49 for the five-year average. In 2014, two rail employees were fatally injured, unchanged from the five-year average.

Figure 3. Number of fatalities by type of occurrence, 2005–2014
Graph showing the number of fatalities by type of occurrence, 2005–2014
Figure 3 data
Number of fatalities by type of occurrence, 2005–2014
Year Crossing accidents Trespasser accidents All others
2005 37 64 2
2006 28 59 8
2007 25 56 3
2008 26 47 1
2009 19 52 0
2010 24 55 2
2011 25 45 1
2012 30 49 4
2013 30 44 52
2014 21 33 3

A total of 49 serious injuries resulted from rail occurrences in 2014 (Figure 4), up from 39 in 2013 but down from the five-year average of 55. Trespasser injuries totalled 21 in 2014, up from 10 last year and up from the five-year average of 17. Crossing accidentsFootnote 6 resulted in 25 serious injuries, down slightly from 27 in 2013 and down from the five-year average of 26. Three rail employees were seriously injured in 2014 compared to 2 in 2013 and compared to 8 for the five-year average.

Figure 4. Number of seriously injured by type of occurrence, 2005–2014
Graph of the number of seriously injured by type of occurrence, 2005–2014
Figure 4 data
Number of seriously injured by type of occurrence, 2005–2014
Year Crossing accidents Trespasser accidents All others
2005 55 17 6
2006 29 28 14
2007 21 27 11
2008 37 20 8
2009 21 16 13
2010 28 19 15
2011 22 21 9
2012 32 21 19
2013 27 10 2
2014 25 21 3

The number of main-track accidentsFootnote 7 totaled 210 in 2014 (Figure 5), up 14% from 184 reported in 2013 and up 25% from the five-year average of 168. Rail activity on main track decreased by 3%  from the previous yearFootnote 8. The main-track accident rate in 2014 was 2.7 accidents per million main-track train-miles, up 17% from 2.3 in 2013, and up 23% from the five-year average of 2.2.

Figure 5. Number of main-track accidents and accident rates, 2005–2014
Graph of the number of main-track accidents and accident rates, 2005–2014
Figure 5 data
Number of main-track accidents and accident rates, 2005–2014
Year Main-track accidents Main-track accidents per million main-track train miles
2005 252 2.9
2006 209 2.4
2007 258 3.1
2008 209 2.5
2009 169 2.3
2010 161 2.1
2011 191 2.4
2012 135 1.7
2013 184 2.3
2014 210 2.7

Accidents by type

Main-track collisions and derailments are the most serious categories of rail accidents in terms of potential risk to the public and financial loss (e.g., when passenger trains are involved or dangerous goods are released from trains that derail in populated areas).

There were 8 main-track collisions (Figure 6) in 2014, up 4 from the 2013 total and five-year average of 4. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track collisions in 2014. There was no release of dangerous goods as a result of main-track collisions.

Figure 6. Number of main-track collisions and derailments, 2005–2014
Graph showing the number of main-track collisions and derailments, 2005–2014
Figure 6 data
Number of main-track collisions and derailments, 2005–2014
Year Main-track collisions Main-track derailments
2005 6 198
2006 2 139
2007 9 160
2008 7 129
2009 5 67
2010 4 80
2011 3 102
2012 6 67
2013 4 84
2014 8 102

A total of 102 main-track derailments (Table 4a & 4b) were reported in 2014, a 21% increase from the 2013 total of 84 and a 28% increase from the five-year average of 80 (Figure 6). Thirty of the 102 main-track derailments occurred in Alberta (29%), and 18 of these 30 derailments (60%) involved 6 or more cars.

The number of main-track derailments per million main-track train-miles increased to 1.3 in 2014 from 1.1 the previous year and from the five-year average of 1.0.

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track derailments in 2014.

In 2014, there were 25 main-track derailments involving dangerous goods, up from 11 in 2013 and up from the five-year average of 12. Three of these resulted in a release of product (crude oil, jet fuel, and petroleum distillates).

In 2014, 42% of assigned factorsFootnote 9 for main-track derailments were Track-related compared to the five-year average of 36%. Equipment-related factors accounted for 24% of all assigned factors compared to 32% for the five-year average. Actions-related factorsFootnote 10 were reported in 17% of main-track derailments in 2014 compared to the five-year average of 21%.

Non-main-track collisions (Tables 5a & 5b) totalled 112 in 2014, up from 93 in 2013 (Figure 7) and up from the five-year average of 94. Derailments occurred in 38% of non-main-track collisions, and 74% of these non-main-track collision derailments involved the derailment of one or two cars.

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track collisions in 2014.

Dangerous goods were involved in 33% of non-main-track collisions, none of which resulted in a release of product.

Factors assigned to non-main-track collisions were mostly Actions-related (88%) compared to 85% for the last five-year average. Failure to protect, such as improper positioning of movements and handling of switches, was assigned most often as a factor.

Figure 7. Number of non-main-track collisions and derailments, 2005–2014
Graph showing the number of non-main-track collisions and derailments, 2005–2014
Figure 7 data
Number of non-main-track collisions and derailments, 2005–2014
Year Non-main-track collisions Non-main-track derailments
2005 98 758
2006 110 703
2007 105 641
2008 92 589
2009 95 509
2010 94 554
2011 89 503
2012 101 522
2013 93 539
2014 112 645

There were 645 non-main-track derailmentsFootnote 11 (Tables 6a & 6b) in 2014, up 20% from last year and up 23% from the five-year average of 525 (Figure 7). In 81% of these accidents, one or two cars derailed. The 26% increase in reported 1-2 car non-main-track derailments relative to the five-year average is consistent with the change in reporting requirements in the new TSB regulations, which provide a clear definition of what must be reported.

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track derailments in 2014.

Dangerous goods cars were involved in 15% of non-main-track derailments with none resulting in a release of dangerous goods.

In 2014, actions-related factors represented 45% of all factors assigned to non-main-track derailments, which is comparable to the five-year average of 44%. Track-related factors assigned to non-main-track derailments represented 32% of all assigned factors, comparable to the five-year average of 35%. Environmental-related factors represented 13% of all assigned factors in 2014, up from 7% for the five-year average.

Crossing accidents (Tables 7 and 8) represent one of the more serious types of rail accidents in 2014, with 22% of these resulting in either serious or fatal injuries.

There were 180 crossing accidents in 2014, comparable to the 184 reported in 2013 and comparable to the five-year average of 183. Accidents at public automated crossings (86) decreased 20% from the 2013 total of 107 and decreased 10% from the five-year average of 96. Accidents at public passive crossings (66) were up slightly from the five-year average of 64. Accidents at private crossings (24) increased 24% from the five-year average of 19.

The proportion of crossing accidents that occurred at public automated crossings decreased from 58% in 2013 to 48% in 2014 (Figure 8). Although there are 50% more public passive crossings than public automated ones, the higher number of accidents occurring at automated crossings is due, in part, to higher vehicle and train traffic volumes at these crossings.

Figure 8. Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2014
Graph showing the percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2014
Figure 8 data
Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2014
Crossing type Number Percentage
Public passive 66 37
Public automated 86 48
Private 24 13
Farm 4 2

There were 20 fatal crossing accidents in 2014, down slightly from the 22 reported in 2013 and from the five-year average of 22. Although crossing accidents involving pedestrians accounted for 8% (14) of all crossing accidents in 2014, they accounted for 45% (9) of fatal crossing accidents.

Crossing-related fatalities totalled 21 in 2014 compared to 30 last year and to the five-year average of 26. Pedestrians comprised 43% of crossing-related fatalities.

In 2014, 9 crossing accidents resulted in derailments, up from the 2013 total of 6 and the five-year average of 4.

Ontario was the province where the most crossing accidents occurred, comprising 24% of all crossing accidents, unchanged from the five-year average (Figure 9). Alberta had the second highest total, with 22% of crossings accidents compared to 24% for the 5 five-year average. Those two provinces were followed by Saskatchewan with 18%, Quebec and British Columbia with 12% each, and Manitoba with 9% of crossing accidents in Canada.

Figure 9. Number of crossing accidents by province, 2014
Graph showing the number of crossing accidents by province, 2014
Figure 9 data
Number of crossing accidents by province, 2014
Province 2009-2013 average 2014
B.C. 21 21
Alta. 44 39
Sask. 28 33
Man. 18 16
Ont. 44 44
Que. 22 22
N.B. 4 5
N.S. 2 0
N.L. 2 0
N.W.T/Y.T. 2 0

Trespasser accidents (Table 9) involve persons, primarily pedestrians, not authorized to be on railway rights-of-way and who are struck by rolling stock at a location other than a railway crossing. These accidents totalled 55 in 2014, down slightly from the 2013 total of 58 and down from the five year average of 70.

In 2014, Ontario accounted for 40% of trespasser accidents with a total of 22, followed by British Columbia with 24%. Alberta accounted for 18% of all trespasser accidents, and Quebec for 11%.

In 2014, the proportion of trespasser accidents that were fatal (58%) was down compared to the five-year average of 68%. The proportion of trespasser accidents resulting in serious injuries (38%) was higher than the five-year average of 25%.

Figure 10. Number of trespasser accidents by province, 2014
Graph showing the number of trespasser accidents by province, 2014
Figure 10 data
Number of trespasser accidents by province
Province 2009-2013 average 2014
B.C. 12 13
Alta. 7 10
Sask. 3 2
Man. 2 2
Ont. 33 22
Que. 10 6
N.B. 2 0
N.S. 1 0
N.L. 0 0
N.W.T/Y.T. 0 0

Incidents

Overview of incidents

In 2014, there were 217 reported rail incidents, down slightly from 223 in 2013 and comparable to the five year average of 218. Movement exceeding the limit of authorityFootnote 12 (59% of reportable incidents) continued to be the main incident type since 2006, followed by dangerous goods leakers (29%) and runaway rolling stock (5%).

Note that in addition to the 10 runaway rolling stock incidents in 2014, 20 accidents involving runaway rolling stock occurred, for a total of 30 occurrences involving runaway rolling stock in 2014.

Figure 11. Number of rail incidents, 2005–2014
Graph showing the number of rail incidents, 2005–2014
Figure 11 data
Number of rail incidents
Year Number of incidents
2005 245
2006 220
2007 223
2008 216
2009 209
2010 188
2011 233
2012 238
2013 223
2014 217

In 2014, there were 128 incidents where the movement exceeded the limit of authority, a 31% increase from the 98 recorded in 2013 and an 18% increase from the five-year average of 109 (Figure 12).

Figure 12. Number of rail incidents by type, 2014
Graph showing the number of rail incidents by type, 2014
Figure 12 data
Number of rail incidents by type, 2014
Type 2009-2013 average 2014
Crew member incapacitated 3 2
Unprotected overlap of authorities 5 5
Signal less restrictive than required 2 2
Runaway rolling stock 12 10
Movement exceeding limits of authority 109 128
Main-track switch in abnormal position 6 7
Dangerous goods leaker 82 63

A dangerous goods (DG) leaker incidentFootnote 13 is the unintentional release of a hazardous material while in transit, and does not involve an accident. Twenty-two percent of these incidents involved release of petroleum crude oil. The reported DG leaker incidents totaled 63 in 2014, which is a 33% decrease from the 2013 total of 94 and a 24% decrease from the five-year average of 82. While DG leaker incidents represented 50% of all incidents in 2005, they accounted for 29% of reported rail incidents in 2014 (Figure 12).

The 2014 decrease in DG leaker incidents is due in part to the harmonization of the new rail regulations with Part 8 of the TDG Regulations. A DG release of flammable liquid (Class 3) is a reportable incident if more than 200 litres are released. (The new regulations do not specify a threshold for reportable gas releases (Class 2). In the first six months of 2014 (before the new regulations came into force), the monthly average was 6.7 DG leakers, for an annualized rate of 80 per year, comparable to the five-year average of 82 per year. In the second half of 2014, under the new regulations the monthly average dropped to 3.8 DG leakers. This yields an annualized rate of 46 DG leakers per year.

Appendices

Appendix A - Data tables

Table 1. Railway occurrences and casualties 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Accidents 1476 1371 1334 1199 1055 1089 1044 1041 1087 1225
Main-track collisions 6 2 9 7 5 4 3 6 4 8
Main-track derailments - 1-2 carsNote * 103 83 76 67 39 40 44 35 52 46
Main-track derailments - 3-5 cars 28 8 25 16 6 11 17 9 13 15
Main-track derailments - 6 or more cars 67 48 59 46 22 29 41 23 19 41
Crossing accidents 269 243 218 221 188 180 171 190 184 180
Non-main-track collisions 98 110 105 92 95 94 89 101 93 112
Non-main-track derailments - 1-2 cars (a)Note * 587 567 467 446 395 444 387 416 425 520
Non-main-track train derailments - 3-5 cars (a) 117 104 138 101 89 86 90 77 89 91
Non-main-track train derailments - 6 or more cars (a) 54 32 36 42 25 24 26 29 25 34
Collisions/Derailments involving track units 19 17 30 27 50 34 33 24 41 34
Employee/Passenger accidents 8 16 18 12 12 9 11 7 8 10
Trespasser accidents 83 91 101 73 72 81 67 74 58 55
Fires/Explosions 17 25 25 12 20 30 23 17 11 35
Other accident types 20 25 27 37 37 23 42 33 65 44
Reportable incidents 245 220 223 216 209 188 233 238 223 217
Dangerous goods leakerNote ** 123 82 88 64 78 68 79 93 94 63
Main-track switch in abnormal position 10 7 7 13 4 5 10 5 7 7
Movement exceeds limits of authority 91 101 106 111 106 101 118 120 98 128
Runaway rolling stock 16 12 13 16 13 5 16 13 13 10
Other reportable incidents 5 18 9 12 8 9 10 7 11 9
Main-track accidents (b) 252 209 258 209 169 161 191 135 184 210
Million main-track train-miles (MMTTM) (c) 85.8 86.9 84.5 83.1 72.2 77.6 78.4 80.1 78.5 76.5
Main-track accidents/MMTTM 2.9 2.4 3.1 2.5 2.3 2.1 2.4 1.7 2.3 2.7
Accidents involving dangerous goods 212 185 191 153 133 141 119 119 145 174
Main-track derailments 32 18 35 23 11 13 20 6 11 25
Crossing accidents 15 5 6 4 3 7 1 4 5 5
Non-main-track collisions 44 41 41 33 32 26 20 21 26 37
Non-main-track derailments 112 109 101 85 81 88 72 87 98 97
Other accident types 9 12 8 8 6 7 6 1 5 10
Accidents with a dangerous goods release 7 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 7 5
Accidents Involving Runaway Rolling Stock 40 35 36 21 28 22 20 28 29 20
Fatalities for reportable occurrences 103 95 84 74 71 81 71 83 126 57
Crossing accidents 37 28 25 26 19 24 25 30 30 21
Trespasser accidents 64 59 56 47 52 55 45 49 44 33
Other occurrence types (d) 2 8 3 1 0 2 1 4 52 3
Serious injuries for reportable occurrences 78 71 59 65 50 62 52 72 39 49
Crossing accidents 55 29 21 37 21 28 22 32 27 25
Trespasser accidents 17 28 27 20 16 19 21 21 10 21
Other occurrence types (d) 6 14 11 8 13 15 9 19 2 3

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

a. Data from 2005 to 2007 have been adjusted in light of clarifications to industry of TSB's reporting requirements.

b. Accidents which occurred on main-track or spurs, excluding crossing and trespasser accidents.

c. Main-track train-miles are estimated (Source: Transport Canada).

d. See Table 2 for details on occurrences by type.

* New TSB regulations came into effect on July 1, 2014. Under the new reporting requirements all derailments are reportable.

** Under the new reporting requirements the minimum reporting threshold for incidents (200 litres) involving the release of low vapour pressure flammable liquids has been harmonized with Part 8 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations./p>

Table 2. Fatalities and serious injuries (type of occurrence, person type) 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Fatalities for reportable occurrences 103 95 84 74 71 81 71 83 126 57
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 3 47 0
Crossing accidents 37 28 25 26 19 24 25 30 30 21
Non-main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Non-main-track derailments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Collisions/Derailments involving track units 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Employee/Passenger accidents 2 4 1 1 0 1 1 0 4 2
Trespasser accidents 64 59 56 47 52 55 45 49 44 33
Other accident types 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Reportable incidents 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Serious injuries for reportable occurrences 78 71 59 65 50 62 52 72 39 49
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Main-track derailments 0 2 2 0 0 8 0 10 0 0
Crossing accidents 55 29 21 37 21 28 22 32 27 25
Non-main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Non-main-track derailments 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collisions/Derailments involving track units 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
Employee/Passenger accidents 4 10 8 7 8 7 7 6 1 1
Trespasser accidents 17 28 27 20 16 19 21 21 10 21
Other accident types 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0
Reportable incidents 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 2
Fatalities by person type 103 95 84 74 71 81 71 83 126 57
Employees 2 6 2 1 0 1 1 4 5 2
Passengers 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Pedestrians 11 9 11 13 4 8 6 19 14 10
Vehicle occupants 28 16 17 14 17 15 22 17 17 12
Trespassers 62 60 54 43 49 55 42 43 43 31
Other person types 0 2 0 2 1 1 0 0 47 1
Serious injuries by person type 78 71 59 65 50 62 52 72 39 49
Employees 6 14 12 11 13 10 8 9 2 3
Passengers 1 1 0 1 1 7 0 14 1 1
Pedestrians 3 5 6 3 0 4 5 5 3 2
Vehicle occupants 51 25 17 31 22 22 18 23 23 21
Trespassers 17 25 24 19 14 19 21 21 10 22
Other person types 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

Table 3. Number of trains (rolling stock) involved in accidents by train type and accident type
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Freight trains 1077 1015 1052 1005 808 838 821 799 838 613
Main-track collisions 6 2 12 9 8 6 4 8 7 7
Main-track derailments 189 134 155 119 64 74 100 61 79 92
Non-main-track collisions 88 115 99 98 82 95 95 94 86 47
Non-main-track derailments 485 445 482 491 405 420 401 382 425 248
Crossing accidents 220 198 178 186 148 137 132 159 144 138
Trespasser accidents 58 70 69 50 51 53 43 52 39 39
Other accident types 31 51 57 52 50 53 46 43 58 42
Passenger trains 84 72 83 79 69 63 72 49 47 56
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments 5 3 0 3 0 3 2 2 3 4
Non-main-track collisions 4 1 4 3 1 1 5 1 0 1
Non-main-track derailments 10 10 8 17 11 8 5 5 4 3
Crossing accidents 37 34 28 24 26 21 20 14 17 18
Trespasser accidents 24 18 32 21 20 27 24 19 17 13
Other accident types 4 6 11 9 11 3 16 8 6 17
Track units 40 41 50 48 82 63 59 40 76 55
Main-track collisions 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Non-main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Non-main-track derailments 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Crossing accidents 8 7 3 5 4 9 7 2 7 2
Trespasser accidents 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other accident types 32 33 46 43 78 53 52 38 69 53
Single car/Cut of cars 96 143 150 108 141 117 102 124 114 442
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 6
Main-track derailments 0 1 3 1 1 0 0 1 2 8
Non-main-track collisions 49 63 64 53 89 68 53 70 58 117
Non-main-track derailments 39 73 78 49 42 40 37 43 40 284
Crossing accidents 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 1 8
Trespasser accidents 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Other accident types 8 5 4 3 6 9 11 7 13 18
Other train/rolling stock types (a) 269 208 122 69 86 137 101 148 110 176
Main-track collisions 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Main-track derailments 5 1 5 6 2 3 2 3 1 1
Non-main-track collisions 12 13 10 8 8 20 15 27 13 29
Non-main-track derailments 240 182 86 42 61 97 64 96 72 116
Crossing accidents 4 5 10 8 8 13 12 14 15 14
Trespasser accidents 1 2 0 2 1 2 0 3 2 2
Other accident types 6 5 10 3 6 1 8 4 7 14

As some accidents may involve more than one train (rolling stock), the number of trains involved may differ from the total number of accidents.

a. Other train/rolling stock types include mainly locomotive. Note that from 2005 to 2007, the categories also include uncategorized data submitted in June 2007 as a result of clarification to industry of TSB reporting requirements.

New TSB regulations came into effect on July 1, 2014. Under the new reporting requirements all derailments are reportable.

Table 4a. Main-track derailments (province, number of derailed cars) 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Main-track derailments by province 198 139 160 129 67 80 102 67 84 102
Newfoundland & Labrador 2 1 1 1 0 3 1 1 1 0
Nova Scotia 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
New Brunswick 3 0 6 1 1 0 0 0 1 3
Quebec 26 21 12 16 8 10 10 8 8 12
Ontario 60 41 39 35 21 19 24 8 19 21
Manitoba 10 9 12 13 4 6 11 8 3 9
Saskatchewan 24 12 18 14 9 14 11 4 13 10
Alberta 29 20 31 31 13 14 21 17 19 30
British Columbia 44 34 39 18 10 14 24 21 19 17
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Derailments per million main-track train-miles (a) 2.31 1.60 1.89 1.55 0.93 1.03 1.30 0.84 1.07 1.33
Derailments per billion gross ton-miles (b) 0.43 0.30 0.35 0.29 0.17 0.18 0.22 0.13 0.16  
Derailments by number of derailed cars 198 139 160 129 67 80 102 67 84 102
1 car 87 66 62 55 29 29 35 29 47 30
2 cars 16 17 14 12 10 11 9 6 5 16
3 cars 9 3 11 6 3 2 6 4 5 4
4 cars 9 0 8 5 3 3 6 2 6 6
5 to 10 cars 40 23 27 24 12 18 26 15 7 23
11 cars or more 37 30 38 27 10 17 20 11 14 23

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

a. The source of the million main-track train-miles is Transport Canada. Data are estimated.

b. The source of the billion gross ton-miles is the Railway Association of Canada.

New TSB regulations came into effect on July 1, 2014. Under the new reporting requirements all derailments are reportable.

Table 4b. Main-track derailments (assigned factors) 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Total number of assigned factors 229 173 182 153 81 89 118 68 95 103
Environmental 10 8 17 12 6 1 6 4 5 11
Equipment 84 54 61 42 23 26 45 19 33 25
Axle 21 5 14 11 5 7 9 6 8 3
Brakes 13 8 8 3 6 2 7 3 3 4
Draft system 10 5 10 4 4 4 4 4 2 5
Superstrucure 7 6 8 5 0 2 3 2 7 3
Truck 8 8 5 5 1 5 6 2 5 5
Wheel 23 21 16 12 7 6 16 2 8 5
Track 87 67 59 62 34 32 40 27 30 43
Geometry 34 24 25 23 12 14 16 14 10 10
Object on track 4 2 1 1 1 2 2 0 2 1
Other track material 2 4 2 6 5 2 4 2 0 7
Rail 35 25 18 27 7 8 11 7 12 13
Roadbed 2 8 3 4 5 2 5 4 4 5
Switch 2 2 0 1 2 2 1 0 0 5
Turnouts 4 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
Actions 29 21 20 20 10 24 19 16 25 18
Failure to protect 4 3 4 8 3 2 5 5 5 4
Failure to secure 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0
Failure to use equipment properly 11 6 6 6 5 10 7 2 9 6
Improper loading/lifting 1 2 3 1 1 3 0 2 2 3
Improper placement/position for task 5 1 2 1 0 4 2 2 6 3
Inadequate/Inappropriate maintenance of equipment 4 4 1 3 0 1 1 0 0 0
Operating at improper speed 2 5 1 1 0 3 3 2 2 2
Vandalism 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Other actions 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
Other assigned factors 19 23 25 17 8 6 8 2 2 6
Derailments by number of assigned factors 198 139 160 129 67 80 102 67 84 102
One factor assigned 171 119 146 117 58 72 90 66 73 86
More than one factor assigned 24 18 12 12 9 7 12 1 10 7
No factor assigned 3 2 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 9

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

TSB does not investigate all occurrences; therefore, assigned factors may not represent TSB findings. Occurrences are normally only reported to TSB with one assigned factor. The TSB may assign additional factors.

Some factors are assigned by highest category (e.g. Equipment or Track), therefore the breakdowns may not sum up to the category total.

New TSB regulations came into effect on July 1, 2014. Under the new reporting requirements all derailments are reportable.

Table 5a. Non-main-track collisions (province, number of derailed cars) 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Non-main-track collisions by province 98 110 105 92 95 94 89 101 93 112
Newfoundland & Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 1 5 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 4
Quebec 17 19 11 5 6 11 12 8 10 5
Ontario 28 25 30 26 24 15 17 10 16 26
Manitoba 11 7 13 9 15 14 15 21 13 17
Saskatchewan 5 8 11 10 5 3 8 12 11 23
Alberta 20 24 23 27 25 29 16 34 28 20
British Columbia 16 21 15 11 19 21 20 15 13 17
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collisions by number of derailed cars 98 110 105 92 95 94 89 101 93 112
No cars derailed 63 56 41 33 49 51 50 63 64 69
1 car 14 28 25 24 26 24 21 14 17 19
2 cars 12 10 15 11 8 7 8 10 7 13
3 cars 5 7 8 9 5 4 3 6 2 4
4 cars 1 4 9 8 3 4 5 5 0 3
5 to 10 cars 3 5 5 5 3 3 2 3 3 3
11 cars or more 0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 1

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

Table 5b. Non-main-track collisions (assigned factors) 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Total number of assigned factors 118 129 122 99 107 111 105 114 112 124
Environmental 4 1 4 1 4 1 2 4 1 1
Equipment 1 1 4 1 2 1 3 4 5 5
Track 10 2 2 4 6 5 1 3 6 8
Actions 83 109 92 73 83 96 92 100 94 109
Failure to protect 52 64 61 49 55 64 64 63 54 67
Failure to secure 16 26 18 7 12 10 10 16 12 9
Failure to use equipment properly 4 6 5 10 11 9 9 10 14 18
Improper placement/position for task 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0
Inadequate/Inappropriate communications 2 2 3 0 1 3 4 2 3 2
Inadequate/Inappropriate maintenance of equipment 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Operating at improper speed 6 8 5 7 4 7 5 8 8 13
Vandalism 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other actions 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
Other assigned factors 20 16 20 20 12 8 7 3 6 1
Collisions by number of assigned factors 98 110 105 92 95 94 89 101 93 112
One factor assigned 78 92 92 87 83 77 73 88 72 100
More than one factor assigned 19 17 13 4 12 17 16 13 20 10
No factor assigned 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

TSB does not investigate all occurrences; therefore, assigned factors may not represent TSB findings. Occurrences are normally only reported to TSB with one assigned factor. The TSB may assign additional factors.

Some factors are assigned by highest category (e.g. Actions), therefore the breakdowns may not sum up to the category total.

Table 6a. Non-main-track derailments (province, number of derailed cars) 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Non-main-track derailments by province 758 703 641 589 509 554 503 522 539 645
Newfoundland & Labrador 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0
Nova Scotia 13 14 6 3 5 4 3 4 2 4
New Brunswick 16 24 11 17 8 10 14 8 6 12
Quebec 133 117 70 71 52 60 64 75 55 60
Ontario 233 201 165 141 110 116 108 95 93 118
Manitoba 57 52 47 65 75 68 56 60 58 83
Saskatchewan 69 48 71 51 44 62 79 68 87 84
Alberta 126 143 149 117 130 151 103 144 145 177
British Columbia 109 103 121 124 81 83 74 67 91 105
Northwest Territories/Yukon 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 1 2
Derailments by number of derailed cars 758 703 641 589 509 554 503 522 539 645
1 car 419 396 340 308 290 306 278 293 324 412
2 cars 168 171 127 138 105 138 109 123 101 108
3 cars 60 44 79 56 40 50 46 39 48 50
4 cars 34 40 39 24 32 16 29 22 26 23
5 to 10 cars 69 44 53 54 41 41 36 40 37 46
11 cars or more 8 8 3 9 1 3 5 5 3 6

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

New TSB regulations came into effect on July 1, 2014. Under the new reporting requirements all derailments are reportable.

Table 6b. Non-main-track derailments (assigned factors) 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Total number of assigned factors 796 741 671 622 546 617 558 555 607 679
Environmental 33 18 40 47 24 27 54 27 74 89
Equipment 74 52 54 41 50 52 56 50 39 48
Axle 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Brakes 21 13 9 12 18 13 14 6 7 10
Draft system 12 8 11 9 15 16 11 10 5 10
Superstrucure 11 9 10 7 5 4 11 8 7 9
Truck 13 11 7 4 4 9 6 16 14 11
Wheel 15 10 10 5 8 9 13 8 6 8
Track 292 282 243 238 209 223 165 205 201 218
Appurtenances 3 2 1 1 1 0 0 4 1 2
Geometry 112 97 102 90 95 97 66 79 72 85
Object on track 8 14 1 6 5 1 2 3 2 1
Other track material 21 25 14 8 11 14 7 6 5 3
Rail 24 32 30 31 26 22 18 30 36 31
Roadbed 13 6 8 9 5 15 24 13 10 9
Signals 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Switch 51 48 37 58 37 51 32 53 57 64
Turnouts 54 48 33 27 25 19 13 12 12 20
Actions 349 329 286 264 224 289 250 253 266 304
Failure to protect 202 193 184 170 150 175 145 139 138 179
Failure to secure 22 7 9 9 3 7 3 11 6 7
Failure to use equipment properly 84 93 66 49 47 69 73 76 83 84
Improper loading/lifting 8 3 0 8 2 6 8 4 7 5
Improper placement/position for task 14 10 6 4 9 8 8 11 8 9
Inadequate/Inappropriate communications 4 4 1 6 2 3 2 2 3 4
Inadequate/Inappropriate maintenance of equipment 2 5 7 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
Operating at improper speed 4 6 5 11 6 14 4 3 10 14
Vandalism 6 7 5 5 4 5 6 3 5 1
Other actions 3 1 3 2 1 0 1 4 5 1
Other assigned factors 48 60 48 32 39 26 33 20 27 20
Derailments by number of assigned factors 758 703 641 589 509 554 503 522 539 645
One factor assigned 695 630 597 557 477 494 438 489 464 604
More than one factor assigned 49 51 36 31 32 60 60 33 70 35
No factor assigned 14 22 8 1 0 0 5 0 5 6

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

TSB does not investigate all occurrences; therefore, assigned factors may not represent TSB findings. Occurrences are normally only reported to TSB with one assigned factor. The TSB may assign additional factors.

Some factors are assigned by highest category (e.g. Equipment or Track), therefore the breakdowns may not sum up to the category total.

New TSB regulations came into effect on July 1, 2014. Under the new reporting requirements all derailments are reportable.

Table 7. Crossing accidents by type and protection 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Crossing accidents 269 243 218 221 188 180 171 190 184 180
Public crossings 231 197 184 177 157 154 148 168 172 152
Passive warnings 70 76 73 63 56 67 59 72 65 66
Automated warnings 161 121 111 114 101 87 89 96 107 86
Flashing lights & bells 105 77 65 73 55 56 52 48 56 47
Gates 53 36 37 39 44 30 36 48 44 38
Other automated warnings 3 8 9 2 2 1 1 0 7 1
Private crossings 33 44 28 38 30 24 15 18 10 24
Farm crossings 5 2 6 6 1 2 8 4 2 4
Fatal accidents 34 25 22 24 17 19 24 26 22 20
Fatalities 37 28 25 26 19 24 25 30 30 21
Public crossings 32 25 23 25 18 23 21 29 30 20
Passive warnings 7 8 5 5 6 5 5 12 3 2
Automated warnings 25 17 18 20 12 18 16 17 27 18
Flashing lights & bells 13 10 8 9 6 8 9 7 7 3
Gates 12 7 9 11 6 10 7 10 20 15
Other automated warnings 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private crossings 4 3 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 1
Farm crossings 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 1 0 0
Serious injuries 55 29 21 37 21 28 22 32 27 25
Public crossings 48 27 21 31 20 25 20 29 26 22
Passive warnings 9 8 13 13 9 14 3 15 7 11
Automated warnings 39 19 8 18 11 11 17 14 19 11
Flashing lights & bells 23 13 5 16 8 5 9 6 4 6
Gates 15 6 3 2 3 6 8 8 13 5
Other automated warnings 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Private crossings 6 2 0 4 1 3 1 3 0 3
Farm crossings 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 0
Number of public crossings (a) 18,216 18,553 17,450 n/a 17,425 16,718 16,413 16,229 16,113 15,950
Passive warnings 12,060 12,138 11,439 n/a 11,722 11,112 10,826 10,628 10,548 10,397
Automated warnings 6,156 6,415 6,011 n/a 5,703 5,606 5,587 5,601 5,565 5,553
Flashing lights & bells 4,059 4,193 3,827 n/a 3,526 3,365 3,308 3,288 3,235 3,189
Gates 2,073 2,175 2,150 n/a 2,116 2,181 2,220 2,254 2,275 2,317
Other automated warnings 24 47 34 n/a 61 61 59 59 55 47

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

Source: Transport Canada IRIS database. The data for 2014 was provided on January 28, 2015. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.

Table 8. Crossing accidents by province 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Crossing accidents 269 243 218 221 188 180 171 190 184 180
Newfoundland & Labrador 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 5 4 3 0 3 3 0 1 0 0
New Brunswick 3 2 2 2 4 5 6 3 2 5
Quebec 56 39 39 27 28 21 27 18 16 22
Ontario 92 66 52 66 48 52 39 40 40 44
Manitoba 18 20 20 13 18 20 7 26 19 16
Saskatchewan 19 26 23 28 24 24 23 32 37 33
Alberta 56 56 48 54 36 37 47 48 50 39
British Columbia 18 29 31 31 25 18 20 22 19 21
Northwest Territories/Yukon 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0
Crossing accidents on main-track (a) 259 233 211 212 180 174 167 180 171 170
Crossing accidents per million main-track train-miles (b) 3.0 2.7 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.2 2.2
Crossing accidents with derailment 12 4 6 6 6 3 4 3 6 9
Fatalities 37 28 25 26 19 24 25 30 30 21
Newfoundland & Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 0
Quebec 7 7 1 6 1 1 4 1 2 9
Ontario 16 13 12 12 3 6 9 11 13 5
Manitoba 2 2 1 2 3 2 2 3 0 1
Saskatchewan 2 1 2 3 5 5 1 8 3 2
Alberta 6 4 5 2 3 6 5 4 7 2
British Columbia 3 1 4 1 3 2 2 2 4 2
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Serious injuries 55 29 21 37 21 28 22 32 27 25
Newfoundland & Labrador 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Quebec 11 4 2 3 3 3 4 1 1 3
Ontario 21 9 7 11 3 5 7 8 15 3
Manitoba 1 4 2 4 3 5 1 7 0 3
Saskatchewan 4 2 4 5 4 2 2 6 5 7
Alberta 12 8 4 8 5 8 4 7 5 5
British Columbia 3 1 1 5 3 3 4 3 1 4
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of public crossings (c) 18,216 18,553 17,450 n/a 17,425 16,718 16,413 16,229 16,113 15,950
Newfoundland & Labrador 7 7 5 n/a 5 5 5 5 5 5
Nova Scotia 119 160 119 n/a 180 180 180 180 182 182
New Brunswick 190 308 148 n/a 347 340 340 340 342 343
Quebec 1,660 1,767 1,662 n/a 1,958 1,964 1,966 1,968 1,967 1,921
Ontario 4,768 4,947 4,083 n/a 4,312 3,996 3,915 3,884 3,792 3,782
Manitoba 2,360 2,363 2,309 n/a 2,027 2,003 2,002 1,939 1,929 1,914
Saskatchewan 5,462 5,439 4,986 n/a 4,065 3,933 3,710 3,656 3,652 3,597
Alberta 2,791 2,655 2,854 n/a 3,009 2,786 2,783 2,777 2,767 2,731
British Columbia 840 888 1,265 n/a 1,507 1,485 1,486 1,454 1,451 1,449
Northwest Territories/Yukon 19 19 19 n/a 15 26 26 26 26 26

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

Includes crossing accidents on main-track or on spurs.

The source for million main-track train-miles is Transport Canada. Data is estimated.

Source: Transport Canada IRIS database. The data for 2014 was provided on January 28, 2015. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.

Table 9. Trespasser accidents by province 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Trespasser accidents 83 91 101 73 72 81 67 74 58 55
Newfoundland & Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
New Brunswick 2 1 4 2 3 1 2 1 1 0
Quebec 14 9 12 13 12 13 9 11 7 6
Ontario 43 43 47 37 35 35 32 33 31 22
Manitoba 6 5 7 4 1 3 1 2 2 2
Saskatchewan 0 2 0 3 4 3 2 6 2 2
Alberta 6 17 14 7 4 9 7 10 7 10
British Columbia 10 14 15 6 13 17 13 11 8 13
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fatal accidents 64 58 56 47 52 53 44 47 44 32
Fatalities 64 59 56 47 52 55 45 49 44 33
Newfoundland & Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 1 0 3 2 3 0 1 1 1 0
Quebec 12 6 7 10 7 10 8 8 4 2
Ontario 33 31 32 24 30 27 26 21 27 16
Manitoba 4 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 1
Saskatchewan 0 1 0 2 2 2 1 4 2 1
Alberta 5 11 7 4 3 6 2 8 4 5
British Columbia 8 9 4 3 6 8 6 5 4 8
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Serious injuries 17 28 27 20 16 19 21 21 10 21
Newfoundland & Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Quebec 2 3 3 0 3 4 2 2 3 4
Ontario 9 13 7 12 5 5 6 12 3 6
Manitoba 1 3 4 2 0 1 0 0 0 1
Saskatchewan 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0
Alberta 1 3 4 2 1 3 4 2 1 4
British Columbia 2 4 8 2 6 5 7 5 3 6
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

Table 10. Reportable incidents (incident type, assigned factors) 2005-2014
  2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Reportable incidents 245 220 223 216 209 188 233 238 223 217
Dangerous goods leakerNote * 123 82 88 64 78 68 79 93 94 63
Main-track switch in abnormal position 10 7 7 13 4 5 10 5 7 7
Movement exceeds limits of authority 91 101 106 111 106 101 118 120 98 128
Runaway rolling stock 16 12 13 16 13 5 16 13 13 10
Signal less restrictive than required 1 6 0 3 1 4 3 1 1 2
Unprotected overlap of authorities 3 7 8 7 7 4 7 5 4 5
Crew member incapacitated 1 5 1 2 0 1 0 1 6 2
Total assigned factors 257 217 173 225 214 195 240 245 228 229
Dangerous goods leaker location/component 124 78 73 61 77 68 78 92 92 61
Equipment 1 1 0 5 2 2 1 2 4 2
Individual/Personal 17 13 4 3 0 0 0 1 4 1
Track 2 3 0 2 2 1 5 2 2 3
Actions 112 116 90 148 131 114 144 139 115 157
Failure to protect 35 31 38 55 34 35 55 38 33 37
Failure to secure 11 8 1 10 7 4 11 4 6 2
Failure to use equipment properly 2 5 1 3 4 3 5 1 9 9
Inadequate/Inappropriate communication 7 11 4 6 8 8 11 14 8 15
Lap of authority 50 55 41 65 72 59 59 75 54 83
Vandalism 4 0 3 1 3 1 2 5 1 3
Other actions 3 6 2 8 3 4 1 2 4 8
Other assigned factors 1 6 6 6 2 10 12 9 11 5
Incidents by number of assigned factors 245 220 223 216 209 188 233 238 223 217
One factor assigned 199 164 163 206 204 181 226 230 219 206
More than one factor assigned 28 24 5 9 5 7 7 7 4 11
No factor assigned 18 32 55 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

Data extracted February 13, 2015.

Federally regulated railway occurrences.

TSB does not investigate all occurrences; therefore, assigned factors may not represent TSB findings. Occurrences are normally only reported to TSB with one assigned factor. The TSB may assign additional factors.

Some factors are assigned by highest category (e.g. Actions), therefore the breakdowns may not sum up to the category total.

* New TSB regulations came into effect on July 1, 2014. Under the new reporting requirements the minimum reporting threshold for incidents (200 litres) involving the release of low vapour pressure flammable liquids has been harmonized with Part 8 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Appendix B – Definitions

The following definitions apply to railway occurrences that are required to be reported pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the associated regulationsFootnote 14.

Railway occurrence

Any accident or incident associated with the operation of rolling stock on a railway, and

Any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident described below.

Reportable railway accident

  1. a person is killed or sustains a serious injury as a result of
    • (i) getting on or off or being on board the rolling stock, or
    • (ii) coming into contact with any part of the rolling stock or its contents;
  2. the rolling stock or its contents
    • (i) are involved in a collision or derailment,
    • (ii) sustain damage that affects the safe operation of the rolling stock,
    • (iii) cause or sustain a fire or explosion, or
    • (iv) cause damage to the railway that poses a threat to the safe passage of rolling stock or to the safety of any person, property or the environment;

Reportable railway incident

  1. a risk of collision occurs between rolling stock;
  2. an unprotected main track switch or subdivision track switch is left in an abnormal position;
  3. a railway signal displays a less restrictive indication than that required for the intended movement of rolling stock;
  4. rolling stock occupies a main track or subdivision track, or track work takes place, in contravention of the Rules or any regulations made under the Railway Safety Act;
  5. rolling stock passes a signal indicating stop in contravention of the Rules or any regulations made under the Railway Safety Act;
  6. there is an unplanned and uncontrolled movement of rolling stock;
  7. a crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the rolling stock is unable to perform their duties as a result of a physical incapacitation which poses a threat to the safety of persons, property or the environment; or
  8. there is an accidental release on board or from a rolling stock consisting of a quantity of dangerous goods or an emission of radiation that is greater than the quantity or emission level specified in Part 8 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Serious injury

  1. a fracture of any bone, except simple fractures of fingers, toes or the nose;
  2. lacerations that cause severe hemorrhage or nerve, muscle or tendon damage;
  3. an injury to an internal organ;
  4. second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5% of the body surface;
  5. a verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious radiation; or
  6. an injury that is likely to require hospitalization.

Dangerous goods involvement

“Dangerous goods” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. An accident is considered to have dangerous goods involvement if any car in the consist carrying (or having last contained) a dangerous good derails, strikes or is struck by any other rolling stock or object. It does not mean that there was any release of any product. Also included are crossing accidents in which the motor vehicle involved (e.g., tanker truck) is carrying a dangerous good.

Derailment

Any instance where one or more wheels of rolling stock have come off the normal running surface of the rail, including occurrences where there are no injuries and no damage to track or equipment.