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Rail Statistics

2009 Rail Annual Statistics - Preliminary

Highlights

A total of 1,038 rail accidents under federal jurisdiction were reported to the TSB in 2009, a 12.1% decrease from the 2008 total of 1,181 and a 23.3% decrease from the 2004-2008 average of 1,353. Rail activity (as measured by million train-miles) is estimated to have decreased 13.8% from 2008 and 16.1% from the five-year average. The accident rate is 13.2 accidents per million train-miles in 2009, compared to 13.0 in 2008 and the five-year rate of 14.5. Rail-related fatalities totaled 71 in 2009, compared to 74 in 2008 and to the five-year average of 91.

In 2009, rail incidents reported under the TSB mandatory reporting requirements reached a 27 year low of 207, down from 216 in 2008 and from the five-year average of 232.

Rail Occurrence Statistics
Preliminary data for 2009
   2009   2008  2004-2008 Average
 
Accidents  1,038   1,181   1,353 
  Main-Track Train Collisions  5   6   5 
Main-Track Train Derailments - 1-2 cars  39   67   85 
Main-Track Train Derailments - 3 or more cars  29   62   72 
Crossings  186   222   239 
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions  95   90   105 
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments - 1-2 cars  382   428   520 
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments - 3 or more cars  113   143   155 
Collisions/Derailments Involving Track Units  50   27   24 
Employee/Passenger  12   12   13 
Trespassers  71   73   90 
Fires/Explosions  20   12   19 
Other  36   39   27 
Incidents  207   216   232 
  Dangerous Goods Leaker  78   64   98 
Main-track Switch in Abnormal Position  4   13   10 
Movement Exceeds Limits of Authority  106   111   101 
Runaway Rolling Stock  11   16   14 
Others  8   12   10 
Million Train-miles*  78.40   90.90   93.50 
Accidents/Million Train-miles  13.24   12.99  14.47 
Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods  133   153   189 
  Main-track Train Derailments  12   23   29 
Crossings  3   4   8 
Non-Main-Track Train Collisions  32   33   41 
Non-Main-Track Train Derailments  80  84   102 
All Others  6   9   9 
Accidents with a DG Release  3   3   5 
Accidents Involving Passenger Trains  67   79   79 
Fatalities  71   74   91 
  Crossings  19   26   28 
Trespassers  52   47   59 
All Others  0   1   4 
Serious Injuries  49   64   73 
  Crossings  21   36   38 
Trespassers  15   20   25 
All Others  13   8   9 

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

  • Data extracted March 23, 2010.

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

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Date Modified:2010-06-11

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