Transport Canada proposes requiring Class 1, Class 1 rail carriers to report leading indicator data to Transport Canada, allowing identification of safety risks before accidents occur; currently, railway safety data is collected only post-accident

Cindy Allen

OTTAWA , June 27, 2014 (press release) – Increased data collection will help prevent accidents and improve railway safety across Canada

Transport Canada is proposing amendments to the Transportation Information Regulations to better identify and address safety risks before accidents happen. The amendments are expected to be published in Canada Gazette, Part I, in July 2014.
Railway data reporting in Canada

Currently, railway safety data is collected after an accident happens—commonly referred to as lagging indicators. Lagging indicators help Transport Canada target inspections and monitor compliance with the Railway Safety Act and its regulations, rules and standards.

Under the proposed changes, Class I and Class II rail carriers will be required to report leading indicator data to Transport Canada. Leading indicators are measurable factors that can be used to proactively identify and address safety risks before accidents occur. They would improve safety by supporting better planning and performance measurement, more focused audits and inspections, and targeted programs that address specific safety issues.
ICAD Working Group

The Information, Collection, Analysis and Dissemination (ICAD) Working Group was created to respond to recommendations stemming from the Railway Safety Act Review. The Working Group, which comprised representatives from government, industry and labour, identified 15 leading indicators to be gathered under the proposed regulations.

The leading indicators are grouped into three categories—operations, equipment, and engineering—and may include, for example, data on:

railway staffing and training activities (e.g. employee proficiency tests and results);
condition and maintenance of locomotives and rolling stock (e.g. number of broken or cracked wheels found on a train in a yard); and
railway infrastructure repairs (e.g. number of bridges with temporary speed restrictions).

June 2014
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