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Rail transportation occurrences in 2020

Table of contents

The TSB gathers and uses transportation occurrence data during the course of its investigations to analyze safety deficiencies and identify risks in the Canadian rail transportation system.

This summary covers federally regulated railways only. Non-federally regulated data reported to the TSB are not included in this report.

It should be noted that certain characteristics of the data constrain statistical analysis and identification of emerging trends. These include the small totals of accidents and incidents, the large variability in the data from year to year, and changes to regulations and definitions. The reader is cautioned to keep these limitations in mind when viewing this summary to avoid drawing conclusions that cannot be supported by statistical analysis.

The 2020 data were collected according to the reporting requirements described in the Transportation Safety Board Regulations in force during that calendar year.

The statistics presented here reflect the TSB Railway Occurrence Database System (RODS) database at 15 February 2021. Since the occurrence data are constantly being updated in the live database, the statistics may change slightly over time.

Also, as many occurrences are not formally investigated, information recorded on some occurrences may not have been verified.

AccidentsFootnote 1

Overview of accidents and casualties

In 2020, 965 rail accidents were reported to the TSB (Figure 1), down from the 2019 total of 1256, and an 11% decrease from the previous 10-year (2010–2019) average of 1083.

Figure 1. Rail accidents, 2010 to 2020
Rail accidents, 2010 to 2020

Freight trains accounted for 34% of all trains involved in rail accidents in 2020. Four percent (42 in total) were passenger trains, with the remaining 62% comprising mainly single cars/cuts of cars, locomotives, and track units.

The largest proportion of reported rail accidents comprised non-main-track derailmentsFootnote 2 (50%) (Figure 2). Typically, most non-main-track accidents are minor, occurring during switching operations at speeds of less than 10 mph.

Figure 2. Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2020*
Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2020*

* Due to rounding of percentages in category labels, additions across accident types should be calculated from Table 1 data rather than by adding percentages shown in Figure 2.

The proportion of accidents that were main-track derailments in 2020 (7%) was approximately the same as both the previous year and the 10-year average.

In 2020, 13% of rail accidents involved vehicles or pedestrians at rail crossings, below the 16% average of the previous 10 years. The proportion of other accident typesFootnote 3 (16%) in 2020 was above the 10-year average (12%).

In 2020, 82 accidents involved dangerous goods,Footnote 4 down from 171 in 2019 and below the 10-year average of 131. Three accidents resulted in a dangerous goods release in 2020, compared with 8 in 2019, and the 10-year average of 4.

Rail fatalities (Figure 3) totalled 59 in 2020, down from 72 reported last year and below the the previous 10-year average of 73. Crossing fatalities totalled 18 in 2020, down from 28 in 2019 and below the 10-year average of 23. TrespasserFootnote 5 fatalities totalled 39 in 2020, up from 38 in the previous year but below the 10‑year average of 42. In 2020, 2 railway employees were fatally injured, below the 10-year average of 3 employee fatalities.

Figure 3. Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2010 to 2020
Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2010 to 2020

A total of 38 serious injuries resulted from rail occurrences in 2020 (Figure 4), down from 65 in 2019 and below the 10-year average of 61. Trespasser serious injuries totalled 19 in 2020, up from 17 last year but below the 10-year average of 20. Seven railway employees were seriously injured in 2020, down from 16 in 2019 and below the 10-year average of 11. Crossing accidentsFootnote 6 resulted in 12 serious injuries, down from 31 in 2019 and below the 10-year average of 28.  

Figure 4. Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2010 - 2020
Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence,  2010 to 2020

The number of main-track accidentsFootnote 7 totalled 205 in 2020 (Figure 5), down from 277 in 2019 but 6% above the 10-year average of 194. As in 2019, a portion of main-track accidents in 2020 is due to an unusually high number of right of way fires on main-track reported to the TSB in 2020 (43). Rail activityFootnote 8 on main track (i.e., non-yard) decreased by 10% from the previous year. The main-track accident rate in 2020 was 2.7 accidents per million main-track train miles, down from 3.3 in 2019 but 12% above the 10‑year average of 2.4.

Kendall’s tau-b (τb) correlation and Sen’s estimate of slope were used to quantify the trend in main-track accidents and accident rates shown in Figure 5. Kendall's (τb) correlation coefficient is a nonparametric measure of the strength and direction of association that exists between two variables. Kendall’s τb was calculated on the 11-year series of accident rate values by year from 2010 to 2020. There was a moderately strong, positive correlation that indicates an upward trend in accidents per million main-track train miles over the period (τb = 0.564, p = 0.016). Sen’s estimate of slope, the amount of upward rate change per year, was 0.0687 occurrences per million main-track miles per year.

Figure 5. Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2010 to 2020
Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2010 to 2020

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 7 main-track collisions (Table 1 and Figure 6) in 2020, up from the 2019 total of 4 and up from the 10-year average of 5. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track collisions in 2020. There was no release of dangerous goods as a result of main-track collisions.

A total of 70 main-track derailments (Table 4) were reported in 2020, a decrease from the 2019 total of 93, and 16% below the 10-year average of 84 (Figure 6). Thirty percent of the 70 main-track derailments occurred in British Columbia, 20% occurred in Ontario, and 16% occurred in Alberta.

The number of main-track derailments per million main-track (i.e., non-yard) train miles decreased to 0.93 in 2020 from 1.12 the previous year and below the 10-year average of 1.05.

Figure 6. Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2010 to 2020
Main-track collision and derailment accidents,  2010 to 2020

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track derailments in 2020. Seven main-track derailments involved dangerous goods, down from the 2019 total of 19 and below the 10-year average of 14. Two of these derailments resulted in a release of product (crude oil).

In 2020, 26% of assigned factorsFootnote 9 for main-track derailments (Table 5) were equipment-related, down from the 10-year average of 31%. Actions-related factorsFootnote 10 accounted for 25% of assigned factors in 2020, up from the 10-year average of 22%. Track-related factors were reported in 31% of main-track derailments in 2020, below the 10-year average of 37%.

Non-main-track collisions (Table 6 and Figure 7) totalled 67 in 2020, down from the 2019 total of 112, and below the 10-year average of 96. Derailments occurred in 33 non-main-track collisions (49%), and 16 of those derailments involved the derailment of only one car.

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track collisions in 2020. Dangerous goods were involved in 19% 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 (85%), comparable to the 10-year average of 87% (Table 7). Failure to protect, such as improper positioning of movements and handling of switches, was assigned most often (57%) as a factor.

Figure 7. Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2010 to 2020
Non-main-track collision and derailment  accidents, 2010 to 2020

There were 481 non-main-track derailmentsFootnote 11 in 2020 (Table 8 and Figure 7), down from the 606 last year and 10% below the 10-year average of 536. In 82% of 2020 accidents, 1 or 2 cars derailed. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track derailments in 2020.

Dangerous goods cars were involved in 12% of non-main-track derailment accidents, none of which resulted in a release of product.

In 2020, actions-related factors represented 51% of all assigned factors for non-main-track derailment accidents, above the 10-year average of 47% (Table 9). Track-related factors represented 29% of all assigned factors, below the 10-year average of 33%. Environmental-related factors represented 13% of all assigned factors in 2020, above the 10-year average of 10%.

Crossing accidents (tables 10 and 11) represented one of the more serious types of rail accidents in 2020, with 19% of these resulting in serious or fatal injuries.

There were 129 crossing accidents in 2020, a 28% decrease from the 2019 total of 178 and 24% below the 10-year average of 170. The number of accidents at public automated crossings (54) was down from the 2019 total of 87, and below the 10-year average of 86. Accidents at public passive crossings (56) increased from the 2019 total of 49 and were similar to the 10-year average of 57. Accidents at private and farm crossings (19) decreased from the 2019 total of 42 and were 31% below the 10-year average of 27.

In 2020, 42% of crossing accidents occurred at public automated crossings, and 43% at public passive crossings (Figure 8). Although there are nearly twice as many public passive crossings than public automated crossings, the comparable number of accidents occurring at automated crossings is due, in part, to higher vehicle and train traffic volumes at the automated crossings. The TSB is conducting ongoing research to better understand the causes of crossing accidents.

Figure 8. Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2020
Percentage of crossing accidents by type of  crossing, 2020

There were 16 fatal crossing accidents in 2020, down from the 26 reported in 2019 and below the 10-year average of 21. Crossing-related fatalities totalled 18 in 2020, down from the 28 reported in 2019 and below the 10-year average of 23.

Crossing accidents involving pedestrians accounted for 9% (11) of all crossing accidents in 2020, but 25% (4) of fatal crossing accidents and 22% of crossing-related fatalities.

Crossing-related serious injuries totalled 12 in 2020, down from the 2019 total of 31 and below the 10‑year average of 28.

In 2020, 3 crossing accidents resulted in a derailment, up from 1 in 2019 but below the 10-year average (5).

One crossing accident resulted in the release of a dangerous good in 2020 (liquified petroleum gas).

Alberta had the highest proportion (24%) of all crossing accidents in 2020, above its 10-year average of 22%. Manitoba had the second highest total with 17% of crossing accidents, followed by Quebec and Ontario with 16% each, and British Columbia with 14% (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average

Trespasser accidents (Table 12 and Figure 10) totalled 58 in 2020, up from 56 in 2019 but below the 10‑year average of 65. Ontario accounted for 36% of trespasser accidents, followed by Alberta with 21%, British Columbia with 19%, and Quebec with 12%.

Figure 10. Trespasser accidents by province/territory, 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average
Trespasser accidents by  province/territory, 2020 compared with the 2010–2019 average

In 2020, the proportion of trespasser accidents that were fatal (67%) was above the 10-year average of 64%. The proportion of trespasser accidents resulting in serious injuries (33%) was above the 10-year average of 31%.

IncidentsFootnote 12

Overview of incidents

In 2020, there were 227 reported rail incidents (Figure 11), down from 243 in 2019.

Figure 11. Rail incidents,* 2010 - 2020
Rail incidents,* 2010 to 2020

*  New TSB Regulations came into effect on 1 July 2014.

“Movement exceeds the limit of authority”Footnote 13 accounted for 67% of reportable incidents in 2020 (Table 13), followed by “non-main-track train derailments – no damage” (14%), “uncontrolled movement of rolling stock” (8%), and “derailment involving track unit – no damage” (4%).

In 2020 there were 19 “uncontrolled movement of rolling stock” incidents, as well as 1 derailment incident and 1 collision incident that involved an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock. In addition, 29 accidents involved an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock, for a total of 50 occurrences. This is fewer than the total (80) of those occurrences in 2019, and a 17% decrease from the 10-year average of 60.

There were 151 incidents in 2020 where the movement exceeded the limit of authority, an increase from the 136 reported in 2019 and 22% above the 10-year average of 124.

Data tables

Table 1. Rail transportation occurrences, by accident/incident type and casualties,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Accidents 1116 1071 1049 1095 1048 1045 897 1088 1168 1256 965
Main-track collisions 4 3 6 4 9 4 5 3 5 4 7
Main-track derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 41 49 35 52 44 40 33 48 39 54 40
Main-track train derailments, 3 to 5 cars 11 17 9 13 15 8 7 5 10 6 3
Main-track train derailments, 6 or more cars 30 44 23 19 41 27 18 28 38 33 27
Crossing accidents 180 171 192 184 185 165 133 143 167 178 129
Non-main-track collisions 94 89 101 93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67
Non-main-track derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 457 404 424 436 357 410 346 424 476 492 395
Non-main-track derailments, 3 to 5 cars 93 91 77 88 90 87 62 82 100 87 65
Non-main-track derailments, 6 or more cars 26 27 29 25 34 26 27 35 23 27 21
Collisions/derailments involving track units 36 34 25 41 27 43 23 45 48 50 38
Employee/passenger accidents 9 11 7 8 13 15 16 17 13 15 8
Trespasser accidents 81 65 71 56 54 50 68 77 68 56 58
Fires/Explosions 30 23 17 11 36 32 35 33 34 100 76
Other accident types 24 43 33 65 37 46 55 45 46 42 31
Reportable incidents 188 233 238 224 407 372 301 235 286 243 227
Main-track derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage) n/a n/a n/a n/a 2 3 5 3 4 3 1
Non-main-track train collisions (no derailment, no damage) n/a n/a n/a n/a 8 4 4 2 2 0 1
Non-main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage) n/a n/a n/a n/a 166 125 97 67 96 58 32
Dangerous goods leaker3 68 79 93 94 63 33 7 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Main-track switch in abnormal position 5 10 5 7 6 12 7 12 7 15 3
Movement exceeds limits of authority 101 118 120 98 129 142 133 122 138 136 151
Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock 5 16 13 14 11 14 10 14 15 16 19
Other reportable incidents 9 10 7 11 22 39 38 15 24 15 20
Main-track accidents4 166 201 135 184 198 199 173 195 212 277 205
Million main-track train miles5 77.6 78.4 80.1 78.5 81.6 79.6 74.7 78.0 82.6 83.3 74.9
Main-track accidents per million main-track train miles 2.1 2.6 1.7 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.5 2.6 3.3 2.7
Accidents involving dangerous goods 141 121 120 143 143 127 101 115 125 171 82
Main-track derailments 13 20 6 11 25 12 10 10 17 19 7
Crossing accidents 7 1 4 5 5 4 4 6 7 7 3
Non-main-track collisions 26 21 21 26 36 32 19 39 33 44 13
Non-main-track derailments 88 73 88 96 68 75 60 54 62 95 56
Other accident types 7 6 1 5 9 4 8 6 6 6 3
Accidents with a dangerous goods release 3 3 2 7 4 6 1 5 4 8 3
Accidents involving an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock 32 35 43 57 43 41 33 48 47 62 29
Persons fatally injured in reportable occurrences 81 71 81 124 56 46 66 76 57 72 59
Crossing accidents 24 25 33 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18
Trespasser accidents 55 43 44 42 32 30 47 53 34 38 39
Other occurrence types6 2 3 4 52 3 1 0 4 4 6 2
Persons seriously injured in reportable occurrences 64 52 73 39 53 50 56 65 91 65 38
Crossing accidents 28 22 32 27 29 18 24 22 42 31 12
Trespasser accidents 19 21 22 10 21 17 20 22 30 17 19
Other occurrence types6 17 9 19 2 3 15 12 21 19 17 7
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 Under the TSB Regulations that came into effect in 2014, all derailments are reportable. Derailments and collisions with minimal consequences are reportable incidents; these include derailments involving 1 to 2 cars with no equipment or track damage, no injuries, no fires, and no release of dangerous goods; it also includes non-main-track collisions with no equipment or track damage, no injuries, no fires, no release of dangerous goods, and that did not foul the main track.
3 TSB Regulations have been harmonized with Section 8.4 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, under which an accidental release of a dangerous good is only reportable (as an accident) if it results in death or serious injury, evacuation, or the closure of a dangerous goods loading facility, a road, a main railway line, or a main waterway.
4 Accidents that occurred on main track or spurs, excluding crossing and trespasser accidents, and excluding non-main-track collisions and derailments.
5 Main-track (i.e., non-yard) train miles are estimated (Source: Transport Canada email communication 17 March 2021).
6 See Table 2 for details on occurrences by type.
Table 2. Casualties, by accident/incident type and category of person,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Persons fatally injured in reportable occurrences 81 71 81 124 56 46 66 76 57 72 59
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments 1 0 3 47 0 0 0 0 1 3 0
Crossing accidents 24 25 33 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18
Non-main-track collisions 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
Non-main-track derailments 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collisions/derailments involving track units 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Employee/passenger accidents 1 1 0 4 2 1 0 3 1 2 2
Trespasser accidents 55 43 44 42 32 30 47 53 34 38 39
Other accident types 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Reportable incidents 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Persons seriously injured in reportable occurrences 64 52 73 39 53 50 56 65 91 65 38
Main-track collisions 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments 8 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0
Crossing accidents 28 22 32 27 29 18 24 22 42 31 12
Non-main-track collisions 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0
Non-main-track derailments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collisions/derailments involving track units 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 1
Employee/passenger accidents 7 7 6 1 2 11 8 16 12 11 5
Trespasser accidents 19 21 22 10 21 17 20 22 30 17 19
Other accident types 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 3 0 1 0
Reportable incidents 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 4 0 1
Persons fatally injured 81 71 81 124 56 46 66 76 57 72 59
Employees 1 1 4 5 2 1 0 3 4 5 2
Passengers 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
Pedestrians 8 6 17 13 8 3 7 8 10 13 6
Vehicle occupants 15 22 16 17 12 11 12 11 9 16 14
Trespassers 55 42 44 42 32 31 47 53 34 38 36
Other categories of persons 1 0 0 47 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Persons seriously injured 64 52 73 39 53 50 56 65 91 65 38
Employees 12 8 9 2 7 8 15 19 17 16 7
Passengers 7 0 14 1 1 8 2 3 3 1 0
Pedestrians 4 5 5 3 1 2 0 2 8 6 3
Vehicle occupants 22 18 23 23 21 16 18 18 33 25 9
Trespassers 19 21 22 10 23 16 21 23 30 17 19
Other categories of persons 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
Table 3. Trains and other rolling stock involved in accidents, by accident type,1,2,3 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Freight trains 842 822 800 834 545 413 338 402 389 448 357
Main-track collisions 6 4 8 7 8 6 6 6 5 4 8
Main-track derailments 76 102 62 79 90 66 48 75 75 78 64
Non-main-track collisions 94 95 94 85 42 27 11 28 20 26 15
Non-main-track derailments 421 401 382 423 187 108 88 95 96 78 56
Crossing accidents 137 132 160 144 139 117 86 94 106 117 94
Trespasser accidents 53 42 51 38 39 36 48 51 40 42 47
Other accident types 55 46 43 58 40 53 51 53 47 103 73
Passenger trains 63 72 47 46 50 46 57 55 68 47 42
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1
Main-track derailments 3 2 1 3 3 2 4 2 2 2 1
Non-main-track collisions 1 5 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5
Non-main-track derailments 8 5 5 4 1 2 1 4 6 3 13
Crossing accidents 21 20 15 17 18 16 11 13 19 15 7
Trespasser accidents 27 23 17 16 12 10 13 23 24 12 4
Other accident types 3 17 8 6 14 16 28 13 16 14 11
Track units 66 61 41 76 50 78 41 71 81 85 62
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Non-main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Non-main-track derailments 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crossing accidents 9 7 2 7 2 5 4 5 6 4 3
Trespasser accidents 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other accident types 56 54 39 69 48 73 37 66 75 81 59
Single car/cut of cars 136 121 131 126 378 476 416 527 595 620 457
Main-track collisions 0 1 2 0 6 0 1 0 2 2 3
Main-track derailments 1 5 1 2 8 2 4 2 7 5 4
Non-main-track collisions 69 53 70 59 114 103 93 119 133 141 82
Non-main-track derailments 57 51 49 51 222 333 278 362 402 415 331
Crossing accidents 0 0 1 1 9 17 17 21 26 25 13
Trespasser accidents 0 0 0 0 1 4 6 1 3 2 2
Other accident types 9 11 8 13 18 17 17 22 22 30 22
Other types of train/rolling stock 140 107 150 111 138 132 126 117 151 169 128
Main-track collisions 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1
Main-track derailments 2 3 3 1 1 5 2 2 3 8 1
Non-main-track collisions 20 15 27 13 26 15 21 14 18 18 9
Non-main-track derailments 101 69 98 73 78 92 72 82 103 113 85
Crossing accidents 13 12 14 15 17 10 15 10 12 17 12
Trespasser accidents 2 0 3 2 2 0 1 2 1 0 5
Other accident types 1 8 4 7 14 10 13 7 14 12 15
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 As some accidents may involve more than one train or other rolling stock, the number of trains/rolling stock involved may differ from the total number of accidents.
3 Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.
Table 4. Main-track derailments, by province and territory and number of derailed cars,1,2 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Main-track derailments 82 110 67 84 100 75 58 81 87 93 70
Newfoundland and Labrador 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 0 0 0 1 3 2 1 0 0 1 0
Quebec 9 10 8 8 11 9 6 6 9 10 9
Ontario 19 24 7 19 20 21 15 11 14 17 14
Manitoba 9 19 9 3 10 4 4 6 8 14 8
Saskatchewan 14 11 4 13 10 8 6 14 18 12 6
Alberta 14 21 17 19 30 17 13 21 20 17 11
British Columbia 14 24 21 19 16 14 12 21 18 22 21
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments per million main-track train miles3 1.06 1.40 0.84 1.07 1.23 0.94 0.78 1.04 1.05 1.12 0.93
Main-track derailments per billion gross ton miles4 0.18 0.23 0.13 0.16 0.18 0.14 0.11 0.14 0.15 0.16 n/a
Main-track derailments by number of derailed cars 82 110 67 84 100 75 58 81 87 93 70
1 car 30 39 29 47 29 30 26 39 29 43 32
2 cars 11 10 6 5 15 10 7 9 10 11 8
3 cars 2 6 3 5 4 4 2 1 4 2 2
4 cars 3 6 2 6 6 2 2 3 4 3 1
5 to 10 cars 19 29 16 7 22 16 10 13 21 11 10
11 cars or more 17 20 11 14 24 13 11 16 19 23 17
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.
3 Source of estimated million main-track train miles: Transport Canada email communication 17 March 2021.
4 Source of billion gross ton miles: Rail Trends 2020, Railway Association of Canada.
Table 5. Main-track derailments, by assigned factors,1,2 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Assigned factors3,4 91 126 68 96 109 80 63 81 88 89 68
Environmental 1 6 4 5 10 2 3 4 7 8 10
Equipment 27 48 19 33 27 23 20 30 23 25 18
Axle 7 11 6 8 4 6 6 10 2 6 3
Brakes 3 7 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 7 4
Draft system 4 4 4 2 5 5 1 4 7 2 2
Superstrucure 2 3 2 7 3 1 2 1 4 2 2
Truck 5 7 2 5 6 2 1 5 0 1 0
Wheel 6 16 2 8 5 5 6 6 6 7 7
Track 33 45 28 30 49 33 18 29 24 37 21
Geometry 16 18 14 10 11 8 8 12 11 10 9
Object on track 2 2 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
Other track material 2 4 2 0 7 2 1 3 2 3 1
Rail 7 12 8 12 17 12 4 8 4 13 4
Roadbed 2 6 4 4 5 7 2 4 4 6 5
Switch 2 1 0 0 6 1 3 0 1 1 1
Turnouts 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0
Actions 24 19 15 26 18 14 18 17 27 17 17
Failure to protect 2 5 5 5 4 2 4 5 10 9 6
Failure to secure 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Failure to use equipment properly 10 7 2 10 6 5 9 8 13 6 8
Improper loading/lifting 3 0 2 2 3 2 0 2 1 0 0
Improper placement/position for task 4 2 2 6 3 1 4 2 2 1 3
Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Operating at improper speed 3 3 2 2 2 3 0 0 1 0 0
Vandalism 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Other actions 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Other assigned factors 6 8 2 2 5 8 4 1 7 2 2
Main-track derailments 82 110 67 84 100 75 58 81 87 93 70
One factor assigned 74 98 66 74 94 70 53 75 80 85 66
More than one factor assigned 7 12 1 10 6 4 4 3 3 2 1
No factors assigned 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 4 6 3
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.
3 Since the TSB does not investigate all occurrences, assigned factors may not be TSB findings. Occurrences are normally reported to the TSB with one assigned factor. The TSB may assign additional factors.
4 Some factors are assigned by parent category (e.g., Equipment is the parent of Axle), therefore the breakdowns may not sum to the category total.
Table 6. Non-main-track collisions, by province and territory and number of derailed cars,1 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Non-main-track collisions 94 89 101 93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
New Brunswick 1 1 1 1 4 0 1 1 2 0 2
Quebec 11 12 8 10 4 10 7 9 5 9 4
Ontario 15 17 10 16 23 20 19 25 19 26 15
Manitoba 15 15 21 14 18 15 10 14 8 15 11
Saskatchewan 3 8 12 11 21 8 5 7 13 11 5
Alberta 29 16 34 28 19 17 19 23 26 29 13
British Columbia 20 20 15 13 17 21 8 23 27 22 16
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Non-main-track collisions 94 89 101 93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67
No cars derailed 51 50 63 63 63 63 38 64 54 63 34
1 car 24 21 14 18 19 21 14 16 27 27 16
2 cars 7 8 10 7 13 1 7 11 6 11 4
3 cars 4 3 6 2 4 3 4 5 4 6 6
4 cars 4 5 5 0 3 2 2 3 2 0 2
5 to 10 cars 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 4 7 3 5
11 cars or more 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 0
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
Table 7. Non-main-track collisions, by assigned factors,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Assigned factors2,3 111 105 114 113 118 103 81 113 106 115 68
Environmental 1 2 4 1 2 2 2 1 2 3 2
Equipment 1 3 4 5 4 3 3 1 3 3 1
Track 5 1 3 6 8 7 1 3 3 3 3
Actions 96 92 100 95 102 88 70 102 94 102 58
Failure to protect 64 64 63 54 61 59 43 66 59 66 39
Failure to secure 11 10 16 13 11 4 5 7 9 7 7
Failure to use equipment properly 8 9 10 14 16 14 11 19 18 21 7
Improper placement/position for task 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Inadequate/Inappropriate communications 3 4 2 3 2 3 3 1 1 2 2
Inadequate/Inappropriate maintenance of equipment 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Operating at improper speed 7 5 8 8 12 7 8 9 7 4 3
Vandalism 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other actions 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Other assigned factors 8 7 3 6 2 3 5 6 4 4 4
Non-main-track collisions 94 89 101 93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67
One assigned factor 77 73 88 73 97 83 60 96 97 109 66
More than one assigned factor 17 16 13 20 9 9 9 7 4 3 1
No assigned factor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 Since the TSB does not investigate all occurrences, assigned factors may not be TSB findings. Occurrences are normally reported to the TSB with one assigned factor. The TSB may assign additional factors.
3 Some factors are assigned by parent category (e.g., Equipment is the parent of Axle), therefore the breakdowns may not sum to the category total.
Table 8. Non-main-track derailment accidents, by province and territory and number of derailed cars,1,2 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Non-main-track derailment accidents 576 522 530 549 481 523 435 541 599 606 481
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 1 1 0 6 12 11 9 7 7
Nova Scotia 4 3 4 2 4 3 2 5 6 3 8
New Brunswick 10 14 8 4 12 13 9 9 5 12 6
Quebec 61 64 75 55 48 81 67 85 60 111 69
Ontario 116 108 95 93 93 109 85 115 119 136 92
Manitoba 89 75 68 70 68 71 58 70 65 68 57
Saskatchewan 62 79 68 87 50 49 55 49 83 55 46
Alberta 151 103 144 145 125 91 68 93 131 115 100
British Columbia 83 74 67 91 80 100 79 103 121 99 96
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
Non-main-track derailment accidents 576 522 530 549 481 523 435 541 599 606 481
1 car 316 291 301 334 260 319 265 333 383 403 314
2 cars 141 113 123 102 97 91 81 91 93 89 81
3 cars 56 47 39 48 49 53 31 46 54 39 36
4 cars 17 29 22 25 23 26 22 25 28 32 19
5 to 10 cars 43 37 40 37 46 29 31 43 35 32 29
11 cars or more 3 5 5 3 6 5 5 3 6 11 2
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.
Table 9. Non main-track derailment accidents, by assigned factors,1,2 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Assigned factors3,4 639 578 563 622 517 560 465 572 610 610 484
Environmental 29 58 29 82 30 36 40 59 77 131 62
Equipment 54 57 51 39 41 31 31 34 31 23 28
Axle 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Brakes 14 14 6 7 9 7 4 6 11 1 6
Draft system 16 11 10 5 8 3 5 5 5 5 5
Superstrucure 5 11 8 7 7 5 4 8 10 6 5
Truck 9 7 17 14 11 8 11 12 5 6 8
Wheel 9 13 8 6 6 8 7 3 0 4 4
Track 237 175 207 205 202 194 164 162 190 165 139
Appurtenances 0 0 4 1 2 1 1 3 3 2 0
Geometry 107 71 80 73 77 61 72 67 78 76 62
Object on track 1 2 3 2 0 2 1 1 3 3 2
Other track material 14 7 6 5 3 5 6 6 7 2 1
Rail 24 19 30 38 30 30 19 38 24 24 18
Roadbed 15 25 13 10 8 9 4 6 6 6 4
Signals 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Switch 52 35 54 58 59 64 50 30 52 40 39
Turnouts 19 13 12 12 19 16 4 8 12 11 10
Actions 293 255 255 269 226 276 216 301 307 280 249
Failure to protect 176 147 140 140 130 158 109 163 209 176 147
Failure to secure 7 3 11 6 5 2 1 9 10 14 5
Failure to use equipment properly 70 76 77 84 67 72 81 98 66 72 63
Improper loading/lifting 8 8 4 7 3 8 1 7 2 6 7
Improper placement/position for task 8 8 11 8 7 7 6 11 4 6 10
Inadequate/inappropriate communications 3 2 2 3 1 4 1 2 4 0 3
Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment 2 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0
Operating at improper speed 14 4 3 10 13 16 8 8 6 3 9
Vandalism 5 6 3 5 0 5 6 3 5 0 4
Other actions 0 1 4 5 0 1 3 0 1 3 1
Other assigned factors 26 33 21 27 18 23 14 16 5 11 6
Non-main-track derailment accidents 576 522 530 549 481 523 435 541 599 606 481
One assigned factor 516 458 497 479 450 498 414 517 584 602 478
More than one assigned factor 60 60 33 70 31 25 21 24 12 4 3
No assigned factor 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.
3 Since the TSB does not investigate all occurrences, assigned factors may not be TSB findings. Occurrences are normally reported to the TSB with one assigned factor. The TSB may assign additional factors.
4 Some factors are assigned by parent category (e.g., Equipment is the parent of Axle), therefore the breakdowns may not sum to the category total.
Table 10. Crossing accidents, by type of crossing, crossing protection, and casualties,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Crossing accidents 180 171 192 184 185 165 133 143 167 178 129
Public crossings 154 148 170 172 154 131 105 117 137 136 110
Passive warnings 67 59 73 65 68 52 36 47 51 49 56
Automated warnings 87 89 97 107 86 79 69 70 86 87 54
Flashing lights and bells 56 52 48 56 47 37 39 30 44 43 17
Gates 30 36 49 44 38 42 29 38 41 43 36
Other automated warnings 1 1 0 7 1 0 1 2 1 1 1
Private crossings 24 15 18 10 27 28 24 21 29 39 17
Farm crossings 2 8 4 2 4 6 4 5 1 3 2
Fatal accidents 19 24 28 22 20 15 16 19 18 26 16
Persons fatally injured 24 25 33 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18
Public crossings 23 21 32 30 20 13 19 19 18 25 18
Passive warnings 5 5 14 3 2 2 7 4 2 6 12
Automated warnings 18 16 18 27 18 11 12 15 16 19 6
Flashing lights and bells 8 9 7 7 3 2 5 3 4 5 1
Gates 10 7 11 20 15 9 7 12 12 14 5
Other automated warnings 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private crossings 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 0
Farm crossings 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0
Persons seriously injured 28 22 32 27 29 18 24 22 42 31 12
Public crossings 25 20 29 26 22 18 21 18 37 25 11
Passive warnings 14 3 15 7 11 4 5 9 17 6 3
Automated warnings 11 17 14 19 11 14 16 9 20 19 8
Flashing lights and bells 5 9 6 4 6 4 8 3 6 9 2
Gates 6 8 8 13 5 10 8 6 14 10 6
Other automated warnings 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private crossings 3 1 3 0 7 0 3 3 5 6 1
Farm crossings 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Number of public crossings2 16,718 16,413 16,229 16,113 15,950 15,724 15,656 16,524 16,447 16,497 16,366
Passive warnings 11,112 10,826 10,628 10,548 10,397 10,173 10,109 10,833 10,671 10,608 10,506
Automated warnings 5,606 5,587 5,601 5,565 5,553 5,551 5,547 5,691 5,776 5,889 5,860
Flashing lights and bells 3,365 3,308 3,288 3,235 3,189 3,156 3,118 3,268 3,267 3,277 3,208
Gates 2,181 2,220 2,254 2,275 2,317 2,351 2,386 2,399 2,484 2,585 2,627
Other automated warnings 61 59 59 55 47 44 43 24 25 27 25
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 Source: Transport Canada IRIS database. The data for 2020 are from 17 March 2021. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.
Table 11. Crossing accidents and casualties, by province and territory,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Crossing accidents 180 171 192 184 185 165 133 143 167 178 129
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 3 0 1 0 0 2 1 3 3 2 4
New Brunswick 5 6 3 2 6 7 4 1 3 2 1
Quebec 21 27 18 16 23 28 29 26 24 25 20
Ontario 52 39 41 40 44 29 26 26 43 50 20
Manitoba 20 7 26 19 17 19 14 15 15 20 22
Saskatchewan 24 23 32 37 34 23 19 26 22 24 13
Alberta 37 47 49 50 40 38 21 28 35 35 31
British Columbia 18 20 22 19 21 19 19 18 22 20 18
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crossing accidents on main track2 174 167 182 171 173 159 122 136 156 166 124
Crossing accidents per million main-track train miles3 2.2 2.1 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.6 1.7 1.9 2.0 1.7
Crossing accidents with derailment 3 4 3 6 9 6 6 5 7 1 3
Persons fatally injured 24 25 33 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 1 2 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Quebec 1 4 1 2 9 4 3 7 3 2 3
Ontario 6 9 12 13 5 5 3 7 7 11 2
Manitoba 2 2 3 0 1 1 2 2 0 5 5
Saskatchewan 5 1 8 3 2 0 4 0 1 4 1
Alberta 6 5 6 7 2 3 3 2 3 2 5
British Columbia 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 1 5 4 2
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Persons seriously injured 28 22 32 27 29 18 24 22 42 31 12
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
New Brunswick 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Quebec 3 4 1 1 3 2 8 3 10 1 2
Ontario 5 7 8 15 3 0 4 2 8 7 1
Manitoba 5 1 7 0 7 2 3 3 8 0 2
Saskatchewan 2 2 6 5 7 2 2 2 9 7 1
Alberta 8 4 7 5 5 6 6 5 2 9 3
British Columbia 3 4 3 1 4 6 1 7 5 5 2
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of public crossings4 16,718 16,413 16,229 16,113 15,950 15,724 15,656 16,524 16,447 16,497 16,366
Newfoundland and Labrador 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 5 5
Nova Scotia 180 180 180 182 182 182 182 181 181 183 168
New Brunswick 340 340 340 342 343 344 344 471 472 432 432
Quebec 1,964 1,966 1,968 1,967 1,921 1,902 1,902 1,694 1,693 1,786 1,788
Ontario 3,996 3,915 3,884 3,792 3,782 3,743 3,728 4,126 4,131 4,158 4,074
Manitoba 2,003 2,002 1,939 1,929 1,914 1,862 1,858 2,046 2,006 1,987 1,983
Saskatchewan 3,933 3,710 3,656 3,652 3,597 3,509 3,504 3,607 3,573 3,546 3,526
Alberta 2,786 2,783 2,777 2,767 2,731 2,724 2,707 2,881 2,894 2,883 2,895
British Columbia 1,485 1,486 1,454 1,451 1,449 1,432 1,404 1,498 1,476 1,502 1,480
Northwest Territories and Yukon 26 26 26 26 26 21 22 16 16 15 15
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 Includes crossing accidents on main track or on spurs.
3 Source of estimated million main-track train miles: Transport Canada email communication 17 March 2021.
4 Source: Transport Canada IRIS database. The data for 2020 are from 17 March 2021. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.
Table 12. Trespasser accidents and casualties, by province and territory,¹ 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Trespasser accidents 81 65 71 56 54 50 68 77 68 56 58
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
New Brunswick 1 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1
Quebec 13 8 11 7 6 5 3 12 12 6 7
Ontario 35 32 31 30 21 23 25 34 30 21 21
Manitoba 3 1 2 2 2 1 4 4 3 2 3
Saskatchewan 3 2 6 2 2 4 3 1 1 4 1
Alberta 9 6 9 7 10 4 10 8 10 14 12
British Columbia 17 13 11 8 13 12 21 17 12 8 11
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fatal accidents 53 43 43 42 31 30 46 52 34 38 39
Persons fatally injured 55 43 44 42 32 30 47 53 34 38 39
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
New Brunswick 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Quebec 10 6 8 4 2 5 2 9 7 4 7
Ontario 27 26 18 26 15 13 19 26 14 16 14
Manitoba 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1
Saskatchewan 2 1 4 2 1 1 2 1 0 4 1
Alberta 6 2 6 4 5 3 5 5 4 9 10
British Columbia 8 6 5 4 8 6 15 10 7 3 6
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Persons seriously injured 19 21 22 10 21 17 20 22 30 17 19
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
New Brunswick 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1
Quebec 4 2 2 3 4 0 1 3 5 2 0
Ontario 5 6 13 3 6 8 6 8 13 5 7
Manitoba 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 1 0 2
Saskatchewan 1 1 0 0 0 4 1 0 1 0 0
Alberta 3 4 2 1 4 1 4 2 6 4 2
British Columbia 5 7 5 3 6 4 5 7 4 5 5
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
Table 13. Reportable incidents, by type and assigned factors,1 2010 to 2020
  2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Reportable incidents 188 233 238 224 407 372 301 235 286 243 227
Main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage) n/a n/a n/a n/a 2 3 5 3 4 3 1
Non-main-track train collisions2 (no derailment, no damage) n/a n/a n/a n/a 8 4 4 2 2 0 1
Non-main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage) n/a n/a n/a n/a 166 125 97 67 96 58 32
Dangerous goods leaker3 68 79 93 94 63 33 7 0 0 0 0
Main-track switch in abnormal position 5 10 5 7 6 12 7 12 7 15 3
Movement exceeds limits of authority 101 118 120 98 129 142 133 122 138 136 151
Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock 5 16 13 14 11 14 10 14 15 16 19
Signal less restrictive than required 4 3 1 1 2 5 1 1 2 0 1
Unprotected overlap of authorities 4 7 5 4 5 6 4 2 11 6 3
Crew member incapacitated 1 0 1 6 1 2 1 4 5 0 1
Derailment involving track unit (no damage) n/a n/a n/a n/a 7 10 13 5 5 7 9
Rolling stock collision with abandonded vehicle (no derailment, no damage) n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 5 5 0 1 0 1
Rolling stock collision with object (no derailment, no damage) n/a n/a n/a n/a 6 10 14 3 0 1 0
Assigned factors4,5 195 240 245 229 424 392 324 245 291 248 226
Dangerous goods leaker location/component 68 78 92 92 61 32 9 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Equipment 2 1 2 4 13 8 10 9 8 7 9
Individual/Personal 0 0 1 4 1 3 0 3 4 0 0
Track 1 5 2 2 25 36 29 7 13 7 11
Actions 114 144 139 116 250 264 241 191 209 185 175
Failure to protect 35 55 38 33 95 94 88 73 90 66 46
Failure to secure 4 11 4 7 5 11 4 9 2 7 8
Failure to use equipment properly 3 5 1 9 29 25 34 20 20 9 14
Inadequate/Inappropriate communication 8 11 14 8 18 13 14 8 14 12 15
Lap of authority 59 59 75 54 83 98 82 74 72 87 88
Vandalism 1 2 5 1 5 6 6 1 3 2 1
Other actions 4 1 2 4 15 17 13 6 8 2 3
Other assigned factors 10 12 9 11 74 49 35 35 57 49 31
Reportable incidents 188 233 238 224 407 372 301 235 286 243 227
One factor assigned 181 226 230 220 391 358 279 225 280 238 219
More than one factor assigned 7 7 7 4 16 14 21 9 5 5 3
No factor assigned 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 5
Data extracted 15 February 2021
1 Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
2 Under the TSB Regulations that came into effect in 2014, all derailments are reportable. Derailments and collisions with minimal consequences are reportable incidents; these include derailments involving 1 to 2 cars with no equipment or track damage, no injuries, no fires, and no release of dangerous goods; it also includes non-main-track collisions with no equipment or track damage, no injuries, no fires, no release of dangerous goods, and that did not foul the main track.
3 TSB Regulations have been harmonized with Section 8.4 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, under which an accidental release of a dangerous good is only reportable (as an accident) if it results in death or serious injury, evacuation, or the closure of a dangerous goods loading facility, a road, a main railway line, or a main waterway.
4 Since the TSB does not investigate all occurrences, assigned factors may not be TSB findings. Occurrences are normally reported to the TSB with one assigned factor. The TSB may assign additional factors.
5 Some factors are assigned by parent category (e.g., Equipment is the parent of Axle), therefore the breakdowns may not sum to the category total.

Definitions

The following definitions apply to rail transportation occurrences that are required to be reported pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the associated regulations.

Occurrence

Reportable accident

Reportable incident

Serious injury

Dangerous goods involvement

“Dangerous goods” has the same meaning as in Section 2 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. 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.