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 Rail Statistics - 2007

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Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Statistical Summary

Railway Occurrences 2007

Foreword

This document provides users of Canadian railway safety data with an annual summary of selected statistics on rail occurrences. It covers federally regulated railways only. Provincial data reported to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are not included in this report.

Users of these statistics are advised that, in a live database, the occurrence data are constantly being updated. Consequently, the statistics can change slightly over time. Further, as many occurrences are not formally investigated, information recorded on some occurrences may not have been verified. Therefore, caution should be used when utilizing these statistics. The 2007 statistics presented here reflect the TSB database updated as of 29 May 2008.

To enhance awareness and increase the safety value of the material presented in the TSB Statistical Summary, Railway Occurrences 2007, readers are encouraged to copy or reprint the data presented, in whole or in part, for further distribution (with acknowledgements 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 Division
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

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2008
Cat. No. TU1-2/2007
ISBN 978-0-662-05711-6

Table of Contents

Railway Occurrences in 2007

Accidents

Incidents

Appendices

Tables

Figures


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Railway Occurrences in 2007

Accidents

Overview of Accidents and Casualties (Tables 1 to 3)

In 2007, 1323 rail accidents were reported to the TSB (Figure 1), a 4% decrease from the 2006 total of 1377 and a 5% decrease from the 2002-2006 average of 1391.

Figure 1 - Rail Accidents, 1998-2007 [D]

Figure 1 - Rail Accidents, 1998-2007

The largest proportion of reported rail accidents are non-main-track related. In 2007, these accounted for over half of the total (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 13% of all accidents in 2007, up from 10% last year.

In 2007, 16% of rail accidents involved vehicles or pedestrians at highway-rail crossings, down from 18% over the previous five years.

Figure 2 - Rail Accidents by Type, 2007 [D]

Figure 2 - Rail Accidents by Type, 2007

In 2007, 191 accidents involved dangerous goods (either rail cars or road vehicles carrying or having recently carried dangerous goods), up from the 2006 total of 183, but down from the five-year average of 210. Of these, 75% were non-main-track accidents. Four accidents resulted in a dangerous goods release, the same as the 2006 total, but down from the five-year average of 6.

Rail fatalities totalled 85 in 2007, down from 95 in 2006 and the five-year average of 95. The largest fatality category was trespasser fatalities with 57 in 2007 (Figure 3), unchanged from the five-year average. Crossing fatalities totalled 26 in 2007, down from 28 in 2006 and from the five-year average of 33. In 2007, one employee was fatally injured, down from the five-year average of four.

Figure 3 - Fatalities by Type of Occurrence, 1998-2007 [D]

Figure 3 - Fatalities by Type of Occurrence, 1998-2007

A total of 57 serious injuries resulted from rail occurrences in 2007 (Figure 4), down from 70 in 2006 and from the five-year average of 79. Trespasser injuries totalled 27 in 2007, down 1 from the 2006 total of 28 but a 13% increase from the five-year average of 24. Crossing accidents resulted in 22 injuries, down from 28 in 2006 and from the five-year average of 45.

Figure 4 - Serious Injuries by Type of Occurrence, 1998-2007 [D]

Figure 4 - Serious Injuries by Type of Occurrence, 1998-2007

Freight trains accounted for 72% of all trains involved in rail accidents in 2007, followed by single cars/cuts of cars and passenger trains with proportions of 10% and 6% respectively.


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Accidents by Type (Tables 4a to 9)

Main-Track Accidents: The number of main-track accidents (accidents other than crossing and trespasser accidents that occur on main tracks or spurs) totalled 268 in 2007 (Figure 5), up from 222 in 2006 and from the five-year average of 232. Rail activity on main tracks decreased by 3% from the previous year, and the main-track accident rate increased by 23%, from 2.6 main-track accidents per million main-track train-miles in 2006 to 3.2 in 2007.

Figure 5 - Main-Track Accidents and Accident Rate, 1998-2007 [D]

Figure 5 - Main-Track Accidents and Accident Rate, 1998-2007

Main-track collisions and derailments are the most serious categories of rail accidents in terms of financial loss and potential risk to the public (for example, where passenger trains are involved or dangerous goods are released from trains that derail while travelling at high speeds in populated areas).

There were 8 main-track collisions in 2007, up 5 from the 2006 total (Figure 6) and from the five-year average. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track collisions in 2007, and none resulted in the release of dangerous goods.

A total of 160 main-track derailments were reported in 2007, a 13% increase from the 2006 total of 141 and a 3% increase from the five-year average of 156. The number of main-track derailments per million main-track train-miles increased to 1.89 in 2007, up from 1.62 in 2006 and the five-year average of 1.87.

Figure 6 - Main-Track Collisions and Derailments, 1998-2007 [D]

Figure 6 - Main-Track Collisions and Derailments, 1998-2007

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track derailments in 2007.

In 2007, 35 main-track derailments involved dangerous goods, up from 18 in 2006 and from the five-year average of 30. Two of these resulted in a release of dangerous goods.

In 2007, there was a 12% decrease in factors assigned1 to main-track derailments compared to the five-year average. However, factor types were proportionately unchanged, with 36% being equipment-related in 2007 compared to the five-year average of 39%, and 36% being track-related compared to the five-year average of 41%.

Factors assigned in an accident are considered to have acted in combination to contribute to the occurrence.

Non-Main-Track Accidents: Non-main-track collisions totalled 104 in 2007, down from 109 in 2006 (Figure 7) and from the five-year average of 114. Derailments occurred in 58% of non-main-track collisions, and 63% of those involved the derailment of one or two cars.

Figure 7 - Non-Main-Track Collisions and Derailments, 1998-2007 [D]

Figure 7 - Non-Main-Track Collisions and Derailments, 1998-2007

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track collisions in 2007.

Dangerous goods were involved in 41% of non-main-track collisions, none of which resulted in a release of product.

Factors assigned to non-main-track collisions are primarily rules-related (94%) (for example, non-compliance with prescribed procedures). Failure to protect, such as improper positioning of movements and handling of switches, was assigned most often.

There were 633 non-main-track derailments in 2007 (Figure 7), down 10% from last year and 10% from the five-year average of 707; 72% of these accidents involved the derailment of one or two cars.

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track derailments in 2007.

Dangerous goods cars were involved in 16% of non-main-track derailments, but none resulted in a release of dangerous goods.

In 2007, there was an 8% decrease in rules-related factors (for example, non-compliance with prescribed procedures) assigned to non-main-track derailments compared to the five-year average, as well as a 12% decrease in track-related factors assigned. Factors assigned in an accident are considered to have acted in combination to contribute to the occurrence.

Crossing Accidents: Crossing accidents represent one of the most serious types of rail accidents in terms of casualties; typically, 25% result in either serious or fatal injuries. Although crossing accidents do not usually result in substantial damage to railway property or equipment, the motor vehicles involved are usually heavily damaged or destroyed.

There were 216 crossing accidents in 2007, down from 248 in 2006 and from the five-year average of 254. This reduction consisted mainly of a decrease in accidents at public automated crossings. Accidents at public automated crossings (103) decreased 12% from the 2006 total of 117 and 21% from the five-year average of 131, and accidents at private crossings decreased 17% from the five-year average of 42. The proportion of accidents occurring at public automated crossings in 2007 remained constant from 2006 at 48% (Figure 8). Although there are nearly twice as many public passive crossings as 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.


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Figure 8 - Crossing Accidents by Type of Crossing, 2007 [D]

Figure 8 - Crossing Accidents by Type of Crossing, 2007

There were 23 fatal crossing accidents in 2007, down from 25 in 2006 and the five-year average of 29. Although crossing accidents involving pedestrians accounted for 7% of crossing accidents in 2007, they accounted for 35% of fatal crossing accidents. Crossing-related fatalities totalled 26 in 2007, down 7% from the 2006 total of 28 and 21% from the five-year average of 33.

In 2007, 6 crossing accidents resulted in a derailment, up from the 2006 total of 4, but down from the five-year average of 8. Although heavy vehicles (for example, dump trucks, tractor-trailers) were involved in 14% of crossing accidents in 2007, they were involved in half of those resulting in a derailment.

Crossing accidents in British Columbia and Saskatchewan were higher than their respective five-year averages (Figure 9), while accidents in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec showed a decrease.

Figure 9 - Crossing Accidents by Province [D]

Figure 9 - Crossing Accidents by Province

Trespasser Accidents: Trespasser accidents involve persons, primarily pedestrians, not authorized to be on railway rights-of-way and who are struck by rolling stock other than at railway crossings. They totalled 102 in 2007, up from the 2006 total of 91 and the five-year average of 82.

Over 75% of trespasser accidents occurred in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia (Figure 10), accounting for 46%, 14% and 15% of accidents respectively.

In 2007, the proportion of fatal trespasser accidents (56%) was lower than the five-year average proportion of 69%. In addition, the proportion of trespasser accidents resulting in serious injuries (26%) was lower than the five-year average proportion of 28%.

Figure 10 - Trespasser Accidents by Province [D]

Figure 10 - Trespasser Accidents by Province


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Incidents

Overview of Incidents (Tables 10 and 11)

In 2007, there were 225 reported rail incidents, up from 221 in 2006 but down from the five-year average of 265.

Statistical analysis using linear regression indicates that there has been a significant downward trend (p<0.001)2 of reported railway incidents over the past 10 years (Figure 11), due mainly to the considerable decrease in the number of reported dangerous goods (DG) leaker incidents.

Figure 11 - Rail Incidents, 1998-2007 [D]

Figure 11 - Rail Incidents, 1998-2007

A DG leakage is the unintentional release of a hazardous material while in transportation and does not involve an accident. The vast majority of these incidents involve small quantities of products. DG leaker incidents, which accounted for 40% of reported rail incidents in 2007, showed an 8% increase and a 31% decrease respectively from the 2006 total of 83 and the five-year average of 131 (Figure 12).

Factors assigned in non-dangerous goods incidents were primarily operational or rules-related, most frequently involving an overlap of authorities or a failure to protect.

In 2007, there were 105 incidents where the movement exceeded the limit of authority, compared to 101 in 2006 and the five-year average of 98.

Figure 12 - Rail Incidents by Type [D]

Figure 12 - Rail Incidents by Type


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Appendix A - Rail Occurrence Tables

Table 1: Railway Occurrences1 and Casualties, 1998-2007
  1. For federally regulated railways only.↑
  2. These statistics (derailments since 2002) have been adjusted in light of clarifications to industry of TSB 's reporting requirements.↑
  3. 2007 main-track train-miles are estimated (Source: railways annual reports submitted to Transport Canada).↑
  4. Accidents that occurred on main tracks or spurs, excluding crossing and trespasser accidents.↑
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 
Accidents
Main-Track Train Collisions 14 10 9 7 9 6 5 6 3 8
Main-Track Train Derailments - 1-2 cars2 63 64 54 70 66 83 96 102 84 77
Main-Track Train Derailments - 3 or more cars2 45 55 68 61 58 73 65 96 57 83
Crossing Accidents 273 283 265 280 264 251 237 270 248 216
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions 114 100 113 108 131 111 123 98 109 104
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments - 1-2 cars2 253 268 270 532 482 525 562 589 567 458
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments - 3 or more cars2 135 135 117 181 182 170 150 170 137 175
Collisions/Derailments Involving Track Units 13 27 16 19 11 23 26 19 17 31
Employee/Passenger Accidents 10 13 13 8 8 6 12 8 15 18
Trespasser Accidents 78 95 78 80 73 65 99 82 91 102
Fires/Explosions 51 53 32 36 25 23 15 17 25 25
Other 26 26 19 48 26 16 23 20 24 26
Total 1075 1129 1054 1432 1335 1352 1413 1477 1377 1323
Reportable Incidents
Dangerous Goods Leaker 272 167 188 194 167 151 131 123 83 90
Main-Track Switch in Abnormal Position 14 15 17 9 9 11 12 10 7 8
Movement Exceeds Limits of Authority 107 115 102 101 99 102 95 91 101 105
Runaway Rolling Stock 20 15 9 10 18 13 11 16 12 13
Other 25 21 14 15 15 18 8 5 18 9
Total 438 333 330 329 308 295 257 245 221 225
Million Main-Track Train-Miles (MMTTM)3 79.0 78.8 80.1 79.9 81.3 80.6 82.6 85.8 86.9 84.5
Main-Track Accidents4/MMTTM 2.9 3.0 2.7 3.1 2.6 2.8 2.9 3.1 2.6 3.2
 
Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods
Main-Track Train Derailments 25 19 30 17 25 38 37 32 18 35
Crossing Accidents 8 8 12 7 6 3 11 15 4 6
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions 56 48 50 40 48 37 44 44 41 43
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments 136 133 149 128 130 139 106 113 109 100
All Others 15 16 8 13 13 8 10 9 11 7
Total 240 224 249 205 222 225 208 213 183 191
Accidents with a Dangerous Goods Release 5 9 7 5 5 9 7 7 4 4
 
Fatalities
Crossing Accidents 39 37 34 41 46 28 26 38 28 26
Trespasser Accidents 61 62 53 56 50 45 67 63 59 57
All Others 1 7 1 2 0 6 8 2 8 2
Total 101 106 88 99 96 79 101 103 95 85
 
Serious Injuries
Crossing Accidents 43 45 33 47 42 52 50 54 28 22
Trespasser Accidents 17 34 23 23 21 19 34 17 28 27
All Others 15 20 11 21 10 10 9 6 14 8
Total 75 99 67 91 73 81 93 77 70 57

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Table 2 Fatalities and Serious Injuries by Type of Occurrence and Person Type, 1998-2007
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 
Main-Track Train Collisions
Fatalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Serious Injuries 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Main-Track Train Derailments
Fatalities 0 4 0 0 0 2 2 0 3 0
Serious Injuries 0 6 1 9 0 2 0 0 2 0
Crossing Accidents
Fatalities 39 37 34 41 46 28 26 38 28 26
Serious Injuries 43 45 33 47 42 52 50 54 28 22
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions
Fatalities 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Serious Injuries 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments
Fatalities 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Serious Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Collisions/Derailments Involving Track Units
Fatalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Serious Injuries 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Employee/Passenger Accidents
Fatalities 1 3 1 0 0 1 5 2 4 1
Serious Injuries 10 10 8 8 6 3 7 4 9 8
Trespasser Accidents
Fatalities 61 62 53 56 50 45 67 63 59 57
Serious Injuries 17 34 23 23 21 19 34 17 28 27
Fires/Other
Fatalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Serious Injuries 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
Dangerous Goods Leaker
Fatalities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Serious Injuries 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
Other Incidents
Fatalities 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
Serious Injuries 0 2 1 3 2 3 2 0 2 0
Fatalities by Person Type
Employees 0 3 1 2 0 6 6 2 6 1
Passengers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Pedestrians 8 7 8 6 10 6 4 11 9 11
Vehicle Occupants 31 30 28 34 38 23 23 28 16 18
Trespassers 61 61 51 56 48 44 68 62 59 55
Other Persons 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 101 102 88 99 96 79 101 103 95 85
Serious Injuries by Person Type
Employees 11 14 9 16 8 9 9 6 14 9
Passengers 3 4 1 7 0 0 0 1 1 0
Pedestrians 4 5 7 5 6 6 2 2 5 6
Vehicle Occupants 39 38 27 42 36 44 48 51 24 18
Trespassers 16 32 21 20 21 20 32 17 25 24
Other Persons 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 0
Total 74 93 66 91 71 79 93 77 70 57

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Table 3 Rail Accidents by Train Type1, 1998-2007
  1. Because some accidents may involve more than one train, the number of trains involved may differ from the total number of accidents.↑
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 
Freight Train
Main-Track Train Collisions 19 15 13 9 20 10 7 7 3 14
Main-Track Train Derailments 106 111 114 125 123 155 151 189 134 155
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions 141 132 125 105 133 108 119 88 116 97
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments 351 367 327 348 319 339 411 486 448 478
Crossing 239 241 229 245 236 221 194 220 201 175
Trespasser 52 70 49 56 44 47 73 58 70 69
Other 70 82 55 55 45 41 36 32 49 58
Total 978 1018 912 943 920 921 991 1080 1021 1046
Passenger Train
Main-Track Train Collisions 3 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0
Main-Track Train Derailments 1 9 3 5 0 2 3 5 3 0
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions 4 0 0 0 0 8 5 4 1 5
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments 4 3 4 8 7 11 10 10 10 8
Crossing 29 32 19 26 23 18 33 38 35 28
Trespasser 25 23 28 23 29 18 25 23 18 33
Other 9 8 9 13 8 1 3 4 6 11
Total 75 77 64 76 67 59 80 84 73 85
Track Unit
Main-Track Train Collisions 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-Track Train Derailments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crossing 2 7 5 5 1 5 8 8 7 3
Trespasser 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
Other 24 40 28 28 17 37 48 32 34 55
Total 27 49 33 35 18 43 57 40 42 58
Single Car/Cut of Cars
Main-Track Train Collisions 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-Track Train Derailments 0 3 2 1 2 1 0 2 1 3
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions 39 42 56 35 51 49 61 49 63 61
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments 21 20 17 23 22 32 20 35 73 75
Crossing 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
Trespasser 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other 9 8 5 10 5 10 12 8 6 3
Total 75 74 81 69 81 92 93 94 144 143
Other
Main-Track Train Collisions 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 2
Main-Track Train Derailments 1 3 4 1 2 3 8 4 3 4
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions 12 3 21 26 26 14 18 12 12 12
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments 21 17 42 341 324 322 283 244 181 85
Crossing 3 6 11 4 4 7 2 4 6 10
Trespasser 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0
Other 1 5 5 19 5 3 3 6 6 12
Total 41 34 85 391 361 349 314 273 211 125

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Table 4a Main-Track Train Derailments, 1998-2007
By Province
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Newfoundland and Labrador 1 0 2 3 1 0 0 2 1 1
Nova Scotia 1 3 2 3 1 0 2 0 1 2
New Brunswick 0 0 2 3 0 2 3 3 0 6
Quebec 21 22 15 19 24 27 23 26 21 12
Ontario 37 30 28 36 39 59 50 60 42 39
Manitoba 12 11 17 14 12 6 12 11 9 13
Saskatchewan 7 10 14 12 10 14 15 24 12 18
Alberta 15 16 15 17 16 19 24 29 21 30
British Columbia 14 26 27 24 19 29 32 43 34 39
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Canada 108 119 122 131 124 156 161 198 141 160
Derailments per MMTTM1 1.37 1.51 1.52 1.64 1.53 1.93 1.95 2.31 1.62 1.89
Derailments per BGTM2 0.32 0.33 0.32 0.34 0.33 0.40 0.38 0.45 0.32 0.34
  1. MMTTM - Million main-track train-miles (Source: Transport Canada).↑
  2. BGTM - Billion gross ton-miles (Source: Railway Association of Canada).↑
By Total Number of Derailed Cars per Accident
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Derailed Cars
1 43 50 43 55 53 75 81 86 67 63
2 20 14 11 15 13 8 15 16 17 14
3 3 8 11 8 4 8 6 9 3 9
4 8 5 6 9 6 5 8 9 0 9
5-10 18 24 24 22 26 35 22 40 24 26
10+ 16 18 27 22 22 25 29 38 30 39
Total 108 119 122 131 124 156 161 198 141 160

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Table 4b Main-Track Train Derailments by Assigned Factors1, 1998-2007
  1. The TSB does not investigate all occurrences; therefore, assigned factors may not represent TSB findings. More than one factor may be assigned to each occurrence.↑
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Environmental 4 10 0 5 2 4 7 9 6 12
 
Equipment - Total 43 40 50 46 54 53 53 67 37 36
Axle 9 15 20 16 15 20 12 16 4 10
Brakes 6 2 7 5 10 5 6 13 7 5
Draft System 4 7 8 6 4 3 11 5 2 6
Superstrucure 5 2 7 6 7 5 3 6 3 5
Truck 12 8 1 3 10 12 8 7 4 1
Wheel 7 6 7 10 8 8 13 20 17 9
Track - Total 49 55 46 40 39 56 60 70 51 36
Geometry 31 31 20 15 20 26 20 30 21 14
Object on Track 1 1 2 3 1 1 0 2 2 1
Other Track Material (OTM) 4 5 3 5 2 1 7 2 4 2
Rail 9 10 19 7 10 18 24 30 19 13
Roadbed 3 6 0 5 1 4 5 1 3 1
Switch 0 0 2 3 1 0 1 1 2 0
Turnouts 1 2 0 2 4 6 3 4 0 5
Actions - Total 45 23 21 27 18 25 20 21 19 15
Failure to Protect 4 6 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 2
Failure to Secure 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0
Failure to Use Equipment Properly 10 7 5 9 11 10 6 7 3 4
Improper Loading/Lifting 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 2 2
Improper Placement/Position for Task 4 2 6 2 1 2 3 5 1 2
Inadequate/Inappropriate Maintenance of Equipment 20 3 1 4 1 2 3 4 4 1
Operating at Improper Speed 5 1 1 5 1 4 1 0 5 1
Vandalism 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2
Other 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 2 1
Total 141 128 117 118 113 138 140 167 113 99

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Table 5a Non-Main-Track Train Collisions, 1998-2007
  1. Number of collisions with no derailment.↑
By Province
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 0 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 5 1
Quebec 20 19 14 17 17 15 20 17 19 11
Ontario 36 31 42 42 54 47 28 28 24 31
Manitoba 10 13 11 12 14 7 14 11 7 13
Saskatchewan 7 6 4 5 6 10 4 5 7 10
Alberta 31 19 26 17 19 20 33 20 25 23
British Columbia 10 11 14 13 20 7 23 16 21 14
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
Canada 114 100 113 108 131 111 123 98 109 104
By Total Number of Derailed Cars per Accident
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Derailed Cars
01 54 49 55 65 79 68 69 63 55 44
1 35 23 25 22 21 20 26 14 28 23
2 11 13 19 10 16 13 14 12 10 15
3 5 7 7 5 8 1 9 5 7 8
4 2 1 2 3 3 4 2 1 4 8
5-10 7 6 4 3 2 4 3 3 5 4
10+ 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 2
Total 114 100 113 108 131 111 123 98 109 104

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Table 5b Non-Main-Track Train Collisions by Assigned Factors1, 1998-2007
  1. The TSB does not investigate all occurrences; therefore, assigned factors may not represent TSB findings. More than one factor may be assigned to each occurrence.↑
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Environmental 1 2 1 1 3 1 3 3 0 2
 
Equipment - Total 0 4 1 2 2 3 1 0 1 2
Brakes 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
Draft System 0 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 2
Superstructure 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0
Wheel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Track - Total 1 4 3 1 0 5 2 3 1 0
Appurtenances 1 2 1 1 0 3 1 3 0 0
Geometry 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Others 0 1 2 0 0 2 1 0 1 0
Actions - Total 117 63 85 72 87 71 87 68 86 66
Failure to Protect 67 35 43 47 63 55 52 45 50 44
Failure to Secure 29 11 24 19 15 11 27 14 24 11
Failure to Use Equipment Properly 12 5 7 3 6 2 3 1 2 5
Improper Placement/Position for Task 4 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0
Inadequate/Inappropriate Communications 2 4 2 1 0 0 1 2 2 2
Inadequate/Inappropriate Maintenance of Equipment 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Operating at Improper Speed 0 4 5 1 1 2 3 4 6 4
Vandalism 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
Other 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Total 119 73 90 76 92 80 93 74 88 70

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Table 6a Non-Main-Track Train Derailments, 1998-2007
By Province
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Newfoundland and Labrador 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Nova Scotia 2 3 2 11 21 39 23 13 15 6
New Brunswick 11 15 7 24 26 26 19 17 26 14
Quebec 78 74 69 124 116 140 150 133 117 67
Ontario 118 117 108 238 246 227 227 233 200 164
Manitoba 42 37 38 53 53 63 58 56 52 47
Saskatchewan 34 32 26 56 34 45 57 70 48 68
Alberta 64 64 88 89 81 75 93 125 142 146
British Columbia 38 61 48 118 86 80 85 110 103 120
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1
Canada 388 403 387 713 664 695 712 759 704 633
By Total Number of Derailed Cars per Accident
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Derailed Cars
1 152 175 177 376 340 372 406 421 397 328
2 101 93 93 156 142 153 156 168 170 130
3 52 44 37 80 70 76 61 60 46 79
4 27 34 22 44 35 34 37 34 40 40
5-10 47 54 53 53 71 57 46 69 43 53
10+ 9 3 5 4 6 3 6 7 8 3
Total 388 403 387 713 664 695 712 759 704 633

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Table 6b Non-Main-Track Train Derailments by Assigned Factors1, 1998-2007
  1. The TSB does not investigate all occurrences; therefore, assigned factors may not represent TSB findings. More than one factor may be assigned to each occurrence.↑
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Environmental 12 15 5 19 10 15 24 16 9 20
 
Equipment - Total 27 39 25 26 28 30 38 40 30 24
Axle 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 3
Brakes 5 5 7 6 6 3 6 10 9 6
Draft System 2 10 5 2 8 8 9 10 6 9
Superstructure 5 1 2 5 6 6 4 5 4 3
Truck 3 12 1 4 3 5 9 9 7 1
Wheel 12 11 8 8 5 8 10 5 3 2
Track- Total 192 161 154 145 118 121 134 175 164 127
Appurtenances 0 1 1 0 3 1 1 1 1 0
Geometry 73 60 62 48 29 43 44 56 56 47
Rail 22 21 17 14 14 16 12 17 18 21
Roadbed 4 5 4 5 2 2 7 5 2 4
Other Track Material 37 14 24 29 21 16 19 17 21 12
Turnouts 53 55 26 31 45 33 33 50 38 28
Object on Track 3 5 5 10 1 6 5 8 13 1
Switch 0 0 15 8 2 4 13 21 15 14
Other 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Actions - Total 238 159 181 138 135 146 155 204 194 153
Failure to Protect 107 96 111 83 68 88 97 122 128 119
Failure to Secure 12 4 10 11 11 17 11 20 7 8
Failure to Use Equipment Properly 35 18 17 15 34 12 20 38 36 12
Improper Loading/Lifting 1 1 13 2 1 2 0 4 3 0
Improper Placement/Position for Task 8 2 9 5 0 3 4 10 7 2
Inadequate/Inappropriate Communications 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 2 2 1
Inadequate/Inappropriate Maintenance of Equipment 56 17 6 10 10 4 9 2 5 7
Operating at Improper Speed 2 5 7 4 2 9 4 2 2 1
Vandalism 15 12 6 6 7 10 6 4 2 2
Others 1 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 1
Total 469 374 365 328 291 312 351 435 397 324

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Table 7 Crossing Accidents and Casualties by Type of Crossing and Protection, 1998-2007
  1. Figures in brackets denote the number of public grade crossings for federally regulated railways in Canada by warning type as of May 2008. (There are approximately 28 500 private and farm crossings in Canada.) (Source: Transport Canada).↑
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 
Accidents
Public Crossings1                      
Total Passive Warnings (11 439) 95 97 84 77 95 72 63 71 81 73
Flashing Lights and Bells (3827) 96 91 95 101 89 85 75 103 73 62
Gates (2150) 34 36 42 43 39 50 42 53 36 35
Other Automated Warnings (34) 2 0 2 1 0 1 0 3 8 6
Total Automated Warnings (6011) 132 127 139 145 128 136 117 159 117 103
Sub-total (17 450) 227 224 223 222 223 208 180 230 198 176
Private Crossings   41 49 39 50 36 37 53 35 48 35
Farm Crossings   5 10 3 8 5 6 4 5 2 5
Total   273 283 265 280 264 251 237 270 248 216
Fatal Accidents   38 32 31 35 41 24 22 35 25 23
 
Fatalities
Public Crossings                      
Total Passive Warnings   14 19 10 14 16 8 6 7 8 5
Flashing Lights and Bells   11 5 13 11 14 9 11 14 10 8
Gates   9 10 10 10 13 7 9 12 7 9
Other Automated Warnings   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Total Automated Warnings   20 15 23 21 27 16 20 26 17 17
Sub-total   34 34 33 35 43 24 26 33 25 23
Private Crossings   5 3 1 5 3 2 0 4 3 3
Farm Crossings   0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 0
Total   39 37 34 41 46 28 26 38 28 26
Serious Injuries
Public Crossings                      
Total Passive Warnings   16 13 6 12 18 15 15 9 9 14
Flashing Lights and Bells   16 21 16 20 13 23 21 23 11 4
Gates   5 6 7 6 6 8 11 14 6 3
Other Automated Warnings   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Total Automated Warnings   21 27 23 26 19 31 32 38 17 7
Sub-total   37 40 29 38 37 46 47 47 26 21
Private Crossings   5 5 3 7 5 6 3 6 2 1
Farm Crossings   1 0 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
Total   43 45 33 47 42 52 50 54 28 22

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Table 8 Crossing Accidents and Related Casualties by Province, 1998-2007
  1. Figures in brackets denote the estimated number of public crossings for federally regulated railways in each province as of May 2008. The Canada total is the actual figure. (Source: Transport Canada).↑
  2. Includes crossing accidents on main tracks or on spurs per MMTTM - million main-track train-miles (Source: Transport Canada).↑
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 
Accidents1
Newfoundland and Labrador (5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Nova Scotia (119) 3 7 3 10 1 2 2 5 4 2
New Brunswick (148) 2 5 2 8 2 9 2 3 3 3
Quebec (1662) 48 51 45 43 44 36 63 57 39 39
Ontario (4083) 65 94 88 80 78 80 69 92 67 52
Manitoba (2309) 34 19 22 25 36 28 19 18 20 20
Saskatchewan (4986) 38 30 32 29 24 24 16 19 27 23
Alberta (2854) 54 52 45 54 55 38 38 56 56 45
British Columbia (1265) 29 24 28 30 24 33 26 18 31 32
Northwest Territories/Yukon (19) 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 0
Canada (17 450) 273 283 265 280 264 251 237 270 248 216
 
Crossing Accidents per MMTTM2   3.25 3.17 2.92 3.08 2.90 2.90 2.68 2.80 2.54 2.24
Crossing Accidents with Derailment   5 8 9 12 9 4 9 12 4 6
 
Fatalities
Newfoundland and Labrador   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia   0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Quebec   7 6 9 4 9 4 10 8 7 1
Ontario   14 20 12 17 15 15 12 16 12 12
Manitoba   7 2 2 3 5 2 1 2 2 1
Saskatchewan   5 1 5 8 3 4 1 2 2 2
Alberta   4 5 3 5 10 3 2 6 4 5
British Columbia   2 3 2 2 4 0 0 3 1 5
Northwest Territories/Yukon   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Canada   39 37 34 41 46 28 26 38 28 26
 
Serious Injuries
Newfoundland and Labrador   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
Nova Scotia   0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
New Brunswick   1 0 0 2 1 1 2 0 0 1
Quebec   7 4 6 4 6 5 14 11 4 2
Ontario   7 19 7 15 14 19 11 20 8 7
Manitoba   6 3 4 3 3 4 6 1 4 2
Saskatchewan   6 7 3 5 4 4 3 4 2 4
Alberta   13 11 8 13 12 11 9 12 8 4
British Columbia   3 1 5 4 2 8 5 3 1 2
Northwest Territories/Yukon   0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Canada   43 45 33 47 42 52 50 54 28 22

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Table 9 Trespasser Accidents and Related Casualties by Province, 1998-2007
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 
Accidents
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 0 2
New Brunswick 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 1 5
Quebec 12 26 13 10 13 6 15 13 9 12
Ontario 36 46 41 42 43 38 45 43 43 47
Manitoba 4 1 1 7 3 3 3 6 5 7
Saskatchewan 2 3 2 3 0 2 3 0 2 0
Alberta 10 10 6 9 3 7 16 6 17 14
British Columbia 14 9 14 8 9 9 14 10 14 15
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Canada 78 95 78 80 73 65 99 82 91 102
 
Fatal Accidents 59 61 53 56 50 45 66 63 58 57
 
Fatalities
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1
New Brunswick 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 4
Quebec 11 19 9 9 9 4 9 11 6 7
Ontario 30 31 30 29 33 30 32 33 31 32
Manitoba 3 0 0 2 1 2 3 4 1 2
Saskatchewan 1 1 1 3 0 0 4 0 1 0
Alberta 8 7 4 7 1 5 11 5 11 7
British Columbia 8 4 8 5 4 4 7 8 9 4
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Canada 61 62 53 56 50 45 67 63 59 57
 
Serious Injuries
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
New Brunswick 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1
Quebec 1 7 3 1 3 2 6 2 3 3
Ontario 8 16 9 12 9 7 13 9 13 7
Manitoba 0 1 1 5 2 1 0 1 3 4
Saskatchewan 1 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0
Alberta 2 3 5 2 2 2 5 1 3 4
British Columbia 5 5 4 3 5 5 8 2 4 8
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Canada 17 34 23 23 21 19 34 17 28 27

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Table 10 Reportable Incidents by Type and Assigned Factor, 1998-2007
  1. The TSB does not investigate all occurrences; therefore, assigned factors may not represent TSB findings.

    More than one factor may be assigned to each occurrence.

    For non-dangerous goods incidents only.↑
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 
Incidents
Dangerous Goods Leaker 272 167 188 194 167 151 131 123 83 90
Main-Track Switch in Abnormal Position 14 15 17 9 9 11 12 10 7 8
Movement Exceeds Limits of Authority 107 115 102 101 99 102 95 91 101 105
Runaway Rolling Stock 20 15 9 10 18 13 11 16 12 13
Signal Less Restrictive than Required 9 8 2 7 3 2 1 1 6 0
Unprotected Overlap of Authorities 16 11 11 4 6 10 5 3 7 8
Crew Member Incapacitated  0 2 1 4 6 6 2 1 5 1
Total 438 333 330 329 308 295 257 245 221 225
 
Assigned Factors1
Equipment 5 4 1 4 3 7 1 1 1 0
Individual/Personal 108 109 57 35 29 40 20 17 13 4
Track 6 3 3 5 3 3 0 2 3 0
Actions 174 110 134 112 104 118 109 111 114 87
Failure to Protect 14 34 44 42 39 40 38 34 31 37
Failure to Secure 11 16 11 6 9 8 5 11 8 1
Failure to Use Equipment Properly 8 2 7 1 3 5 6 2 5 1
Inadequate/Inappropriate Communications 16 4 8 6 3 5 5 7 9 4
Overlap of Authorities 113 40 56 49 45 58 48 50 55 40
Vandalism 6 1 2 5 2 1 4 4 0 3
Other 6 13 6 3 3 1 3 3 6 1
Total 293 226 195 156 139 168 130 131 131 91

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Table 11 Dangerous Goods Leaker Incidents by Province and Leak Location/Component, 1998-2007
  1. More than one leak location/component may be assigned to each occurrence.↑
  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 
Incidents
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
New Brunswick 10 8 3 5 6 10 7 1 1 0
Quebec 25 14 12 8 8 9 7 8 8 6
Ontario 89 65 59 74 65 46 34 29 30 32
Manitoba 9 11 24 8 9 9 17 3 5 2
Saskatchewan 10 4 2 8 4 2 4 4 4 5
Alberta 74 37 54 43 43 45 31 29 13 20
British Columbia 55 28 34 47 32 30 31 48 22 25
Northwest Territories/Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Canada 272 167 188 194 167 151 131 123 83 90
 
Leak by Location/Component1
Structural 1 3 2 0 4 3 0 1 2 0
Safety Appurtenances 66 19 37 25 34 27 28 20 8 14
Operating Appurtenances 148 107 105 110 86 65 74 83 55 33
Auxiliary Appurtenances 46 32 28 34 25 25 15 12 3 6
Others 19 11 14 19 7 14 8 6 7 5
Total 280 172 186 188 156 134 125 122 75 58

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Appendix B – Definitions and Explanatory Notes

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 regulations.

Railway Occurrence

  1. Any accident or incident associated with the operation of rolling stock on a railway; and
  2. Any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident described in paragraph a) above.

Reportable Railway Accident

An accident resulting directly from the operation of rolling stock, where

  1. a person sustains a serious injury or is killed as a result of
    1. being on board or getting off the rolling stock; or
    2. coming into contact with any part of the rolling stock or its contents;
  2. the rolling stock
    1. is involved in a grade-crossing collision;
    2. is involved in a collision or derailment and is carrying passengers;
    3. is involved in a collision or derailment and is carrying dangerous goods, or is known to have last contained dangerous goods, the residue of which has not been purged from the rolling stock;
    4. sustains damage that affects its safe operation; or
    5. causes or sustains a fire or explosion, or causes damage to the railway that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment.

Reportable Railway Incident

An incident resulting directly from the operation of rolling stock, where

  1. a risk of collision occurs;
  2. an unprotected main-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. an unprotected overlap of operating authorities occurs;
  5. a movement of rolling stock exceeds the limits of its authority;
  6. there is runaway rolling stock;
  7. any crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the rolling stock is unable to perform the crew member's duties as a result of a physical incapacitation that poses a threat to the safety of any person, property or the environment; or
  8. any dangerous goods are released on board or from the rolling stock.

Serious Injury

An injury that is likely to require admission to a hospital.

Dangerous Goods Involvement

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 (for example, tanker truck) is carrying a dangerous good.

Explanatory Notes

Accidents by Railway

Accident totals are not presented by railway. The track, train and personnel in an occurrence may all belong to different companies; also an occurrence may have several contributing factors. Presenting data based purely on one of these criteria or factors would be misleading, and misinterpretation of data by readers could unfairly affect a company's competitive position.

  1. Factors assigned are conditions and/or acts that may have played a role in an occurrence.↑
  2. It is agreed by convention that, for a result to be considered statistically significant, its probability must be lower than 1 in 20 (that is, p<0.05).↑
Date Modified: 2010-04-28
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