Transportation Safety Board
Symbol of the Government of Canada
Skip to content | Skip to institutional links

Common menu bar links

Home > stats > rail > prelim-2008

Institutional links

Rail Statistics

2008 Highlights

Rail occurrences

A total of 1,143 rail accidents were reported to the TSB in 2008, a 14% decrease from the 2007 total of 1,323 and an 18% decrease from the 2003-2007 average of 1,387. Rail activity (as measured by million train-miles) is estimated to have decreased 1% from 2007 and 1.5% from the five-year average. The accident rate decreased to 12.4 accidents per million train-miles in 2008, compared to 14.3 in 2007 and the five-year rate of 14.9. Rail-related fatalities totaled 74 in 2008, compared to 84 in 2007 and to the five-year average of 92.

In 2008, rail incidents reported under the TSB mandatory reporting requirements reached a 26 year low of 215, down from 223 in 2007 and from the five-year average of 248.

Rail Occurrence Statistics
Preliminary data for 2008
   2008   2007  2003-2007 Average
 
Accidents  1,143   1,323   1,387 
  Main-Track Train Collisions  6   8   5 
Main-Track Train Derailments - 1-2 cars  67   77   88 
Main-Track Train Derailments - 3 or more cars  62   83   75 
Crossings  214   221   245 
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions  88   102   109 
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments - 1-2 cars  405   455   539 
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments - 3 or more cars  143   175   160 
Collisions/Derailments Involving Track Units  27   31   23 
Employee/Passenger  12   18   12 
Trespassers  73   101   88 
Fires/Explosions  12   25   21 
Other  34   27   22 
Incidents  215   223   248 
  Dangerous Goods Leaker  64   88   115 
Main-track Switch in Abnormal Position  13   7   9 
Movement Exceeds Limits of Authority  111   106   99 
Runaway Rolling Stock  15   13   13 
Others  12   9   12 
Million Train-miles*  91.90   92.80   93.30 
Accidents/Million Train-miles  12.44   14.26   14.87 
Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods  147   190   204 
  Main-track Train Derailments  23   35   32 
Crossings  4   6   8 
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions  33   41   41 
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments  83   100   113 
All Others  4   8   9 
Accidents with a DG Release  2   3   6 
Accidents Involving Passenger Trains  78   82   74 
Fatalities  74   84   92 
  Crossings  26   26   29 
Trespassers  47   56   58 
All Others  1   2   5 
Serious Injuries  64   57   76 
  Crossings  36   22   41 
Trespassers  20   27   25 
All Others  8   8   9 

  • * Train-miles estimated. (Source: Transport Canada)

  • Figures are preliminary as of January 15, 2009.

  • All 5-year averages have been rounded. The totals sometimes do not coincide to the sum of these averages.
Transportation Safety Board of Canada 

Back

Date Modified:2009-03-05

Top of Page
Important Notices