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Rail transportation occurrences in 2021

Table of contents

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (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 2021 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 as of 15 March 2022. 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.

Accidents Footnote 1

Overview of accidents and casualties

In 2021, 1038 rail accidents were reported to the TSB (Figure 1 and Table 1), up from the 2020 total of 988, but a 3% decrease from the previous 10-year (2011–2020) average of 1071.

Figure 1. Rail accidents, 2011 to 2021
Rail accidents, 2011 to 2021
Figure 1. Data table
Rail accidents, 2011 to 2021
Year Accidents
2011 1071
2012 1049
2013 1095
2014 1048
2015 1045
2016 897
2017 1088
2018 1168
2019 1256
2020 988
2021 1038

Freight trains accounted for 38% of all trains involved in rail accidents in 2021. Four percent (42 in total) were passenger trains, with the remaining 58% comprising mainly single cars/cuts of cars, locomotives, and track units (Table 3).

The largest proportion of reported rail accidents (39%) comprised non-main-track derailmentsFootnote 2 (Figure 2 and Table 1). Typically, most non-main-track accidents have low severity, as they occur during switching operations at speeds of less than 10 mph.

Figure 2. Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2021*
Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2021*
Figure 2. Data table
Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2021*
Type of accident Accidents
Main-track collisions 3
Main-track derailments 76
Crossing accidents 135
Trespasser accidents 64
Non-main-track collisions 61
Non-main-track derailments 400
Other 299

* 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 2021 (7%) was approximately the same as both the previous year and the 10-year average.

In 2021, 13% of rail accidents involved vehicles or pedestrians at rail crossings, below the 15% average of the previous 10 years. The proportion of other accident typesFootnote 3 (29%) in 2021 was above the 10-year average (13%). This increase is due primarily to an unusually high number of right of way fires (144) on main-track reported to the TSB in 2021.

In 2021, 86 accidents involved dangerous goods (Table 1),Footnote 4 up from 82 in 2020 but below the 10-year average of 125. Two accidents resulted in a dangerous goods release in 2021, compared with 3 in 2020, and the 10-year average of 4.

Rail fatalities (Figure 3 and Table 1) totalled 60 in 2021, unchanged from last year but below the previous 10-year average of 71. Crossing fatalities totalled 16 in 2021, down from 18 in 2020 and below the 10-year average of 23. TrespasserFootnote 5 fatalities totalled 42 in 2021, up from 40 in the previous year and above the 10-year average of 40. In 2021, 1 railway employee was fatally injured, below the 10-year average of 3 employee fatalities.

Figure 3. Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2011 to 2021
Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2011 to 2021
Figure 3. Data table
Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2011 to 2021
Year Crossing accidents Trespasser accidents All others
2011 25 43 3
2012 33 44 4
2013 30 42 52
2014 21 32 3
2015 15 30 1
2016 19 47 0
2017 19 53 4
2018 19 34 4
2019 28 38 6
2020 18 40 2
2021 16 42 2

A total of 51 serious injuries resulted from rail occurrences in 2021 (Figure 4 and Table 1), up from 40 in 2020 but below the 10-year average of 58. Crossing accidentsFootnote 6 resulted in 24 serious injuries, up from 12 in 2020 but below the 10-year average of 26. Trespasser serious injuries totalled 17 in 2021, down from 20 last year and below the 10-year average of 20. Six railway employees were seriously injured in 2021, down from 8 in 2020 and below the 10-year average of 11.

Figure 4. Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2011 to 2021
Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2011 to 2021
Figure 4. Data table
Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2011 to 2021
Year Crossing accidents Trespasser accidents All others
2011 22 21 9
2012 32 22 19
2013 27 10 2
2014 29 21 3
2015 18 17 15
2016 24 20 12
2017 22 22 21
2018 42 30 19
2019 31 17 17
2020 12 20 8
2021 24 17 10

The number of main-track accidentsFootnote 7 totalled 353 in 2021 (Figure 5 and Table 1), up from 208 in 2020 and 78% above the 10-year average of 198. As in 2019 and 2020, a portion of main-track accidents in 2021 consists of an unusually high number of right of way fires on main-track reported to the TSB in 2021 (137). Rail activityFootnote 8 on main track (i.e., non-yard) decreased by 1% from the previous year. The main-track accident rate in 2021 was 4.8 accidents per million main-track train miles, up from 2.8 in 2020 and 90% above the 10-year average of 2.5.

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 2011 to 2021. There was a moderately strong, positive correlation that indicates an upward trend in accidents per million main-track train miles over the period (τb = 0.6, p < 0.05). Sen’s estimate of slope, the amount of upward rate change per year, was 0.105 occurrences per million main-track miles per year.

Figure 5. Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2011 to 2021
Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2011 to 2021
Figure 5. Data table
Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2011 to 2021
Year Main-track accidents Main-track accidents per million main-track train miles Sen's estimate of rate slope
2011 201 2.6 2.08
2012 135 1.7 2.19
2013 184 2.3 2.29
2014 198 2.4 2.40
2015 199 2.5 2.50
2016 173 2.3 2.61
2017 195 2.5 2.71
2018 212 2.6 2.82
2019 277 3.3 2.92
2020 208 2.8 3.03
2021 353 4.8 3.13

Accidents by type

Main-track collisions and derailments have potentially the highest severity of all rail accident types. They can result in substantial damage to property and the environment, and can cause injury or fatality. The risks increase significantly when passenger trains are involved or dangerous goods are released from trains that derail in populated areas.

There were 3 main-track collisions (Table 1 and Figure 6) in 2021, down from the 2020 total of 7 and down from the 10-year average of 5. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track collisions in 2021. There was no release of dangerous goods as a result of main-track collisions.

A total of 76 main-track derailments (Table 4) were reported in 2021, an increase from the 2020 total of 70, but 8% below the 10-year average of 83 (Figure 6). Thirty-two percent of the 76 main-track derailments occurred in British Columbia, 22% occurred in Alberta, and 17% occurred in Ontario.

The number of main-track derailments per million main-track (i.e., non-yard) train miles (Table 4) increased to 1.03 in 2021 from 0.93 the previous year but below the 10-year average of 1.04.

Figure 6. Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2011 to 2021
Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2011 to 2021
Figure 6. Data table
Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2011 to 2021
Year Main-track collisions Main-track derailments
2011 3 110
2012 6 67
2013 4 84
2014 9 100
2015 4 75
2016 5 58
2017 3 81
2018 5 87
2019 4 93
2020 7 70
2021 3 76

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track derailments in 2021 (Table 2). Sixteen main-track derailments involved dangerous goods, up from the 2020 total of 7 and above the 10-year average of 14. Two of these derailments resulted in release of products (one elevated temperature liquid, N.O.S; one gasoline).

In 2021, 23% 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 18% of assigned factors in 2021, down from the 10-year average of 22%. Track-related factors were reported in 42% of main-track derailments in 2021, above the 10-year average of 36%.

Non-main-track collisions (Table 6 and Figure 7) totalled 61 in 2021, down from the 2020 total of 67, and below the 10-year average of 93. Derailments occurred in 27 non-main-track collisions (44%), and 11 of those derailments involved the derailment of only one car.

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track collisions in 2021 (Table 2). Dangerous goods were involved in 31% 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 (79%), down from 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 (46%) as a factor.

Figure 7. Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2011 to 2021
Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2011 to 2021
Figure 7. Data table
Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2011 to 2021
Year Non-main-track collisions Non-main-track derailments
2011 89 522
2012 101 530
2013 93 549
2014 106 481
2015 92 523
2016 69 435
2017 103 541
2018 101 599
2019 112 606
2020 67 492
2021 61 400

There were 400 non-main-track derailmentsFootnote 11 in 2021 (Table 8 and Figure 7), down from 492 last year and 24% below the 10-year average of 528. In 82% of 2021 accidents, 1 or 2 cars derailed. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track derailments in 2021 (Table 2).

Dangerous goods cars were involved in 11% of non-main-track derailment accidents, none of which resulted in a release of product.

In 2021, 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 27% of all assigned factors, below the 10-year average of 32%. Environmental-related factors represented 14% of all assigned factors in 2021, above the 10-year average of 11%.

Crossing accidents (tables 10 and 11) represented one of the more serious types of rail accidents in 2021, with 23% of these resulting in serious or fatal injuries.

There were 135 crossing accidents in 2021, a 4% increase from the 2020 total of 130 but 18% below the 10-year average of 165. The number of accidents at public automated crossings (57) was up from the 2020 total of 54, but below the 10-year average of 82. The number of accidents at public passive crossings (56) was the same as the 2020 total and the 10-year average. Accidents at private and farm crossings (22) increased from the 2020 total of 20 but were 19% below the 10-year average of 27.

In 2021, 42% of crossing accidents occurred at public automated crossings, and 41% 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 during the winter (see for example, Rail Transportation Safety Issue Investigation R20H0082 - Transportation Safety Board (tsb.gc.ca)).

Figure 8. Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2021
Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2021
Figure 8. Data table
Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2021
Type of crossing Accidents
Public passive 56
Public automated 57
Private 22
Farm 0

There were 15 fatal crossing accidents in 2021, down from 16 reported in 2020 and below the 10-year average of 20. Crossing-related fatalities totalled 16 in 2021, down from 18 reported in 2020 and below the 10-year average of 23.

Although crossing accidents involving pedestrians accounted for 10% (13) of all crossing accidents in 2021, they accounted for 40% (6) of fatal crossing accidents and 38% of crossing-related fatalities.

Crossing-related serious injuries totalled 24 in 2021, up from the 2020 total of 12 but below the 10-year average of 26.

In 2021, 2 crossing accidents resulted in a train derailment, down from 3 in 2020 and below the 10-year average (5).

No crossing accidents resulted in the release of dangerous goods in 2021.

Alberta had the highest proportion (23%) of all crossing accidents in 2021. Ontario had the second highest total with 20% of crossing accidents, followed by Saskatchewan with 18%, and British Columbia with 16% (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2021
Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2021
Figure 9. Data table
Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2021
Province or territory 2011 to 2020 average 2021
BC 19.9 21
AB 37.4 31
SK 25.3 24
MB 17.4 16
ON 35.8 27
QC 23.6 13
NB 3.5 2
NS 1.6 0
NL 0.2 0
NT, YT 0.1 1

Trespasser accidents (Table 12 and Figure 10) totalled 64 in 2021, up from 60 in 2020 and above the 10-year average of 63. Ontario accounted for 55% of trespasser accidents, followed by British Columbia with 17%, Quebec with 11%, and Alberta with 9%.

Figure 10. Trespasser accidents by province/territory, 2021
Trespasser accidents by province/territory, 2021
Figure 10. Data table
Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2021
Province or territory 2011 to 2020 average 2021
BC 19.9 21
AB 37.4 31
SK 25.3 24
MB 17.4 16
ON 35.8 27
QC 23.6 13
NB 3.5 2
NS 1.6 0
NL 0.2 0
NT, YT 0.1 1

In 2021, the proportion of trespasser accidents that were fatal (66%) was above the 10-year average of 64%. The proportion of trespasser accidents resulting in serious injuries (25%) was below the 10-year average of 32%.

Incidents Footnote 12

Overview of incidents

In 2021, there were 194 reported rail incidents (Figure 11 and Table 1), down from 229 in 2020.

Figure 11. Rail incidents,* 2011 to 2021
Rail incidents,* 2011 to 2021
Figure 11. Data table
Rail incidents,* 2011 to 2021
Year Incidents
2011 233
2012 238
2013 224
2014 407
2015 372
2016 301
2017 235
2018 286
2019 243
2020 229
2021 194

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

“Movement exceeds the limit of authority”Footnote 13 incident type accounted for 56% of reportable incidents in 2021 (Table 13), followed by “non-main-track train derailments – no damage” (20%), “uncontrolled movement of rolling stock” (7%), and “main-track switch in abnormal position” (7%).

In 2021 there were 13 “uncontrolled movement of rolling stock” incidents, as well as 3 derailment incidents and 1 collision incident that involved an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock. In addition, 33 accidents involved an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock (Table 1), for a total of 50 occurrences. This is similar to the total of these occurrences in 2020 (51), but an 18% decrease from the 10-year average of 61.

There were 109 incidents in 2021 where the movement exceeded the limit of authority, a decrease from 149 reported in 2020 and 15% below the 10-year average of 129 (Table 1).

Data tables

Table 1. Rail transportation occurrences, by accident/incident type and casualties,1 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Accidents

1071

1049

1095

1048

1045

897

1088

1168

1256

988

1038

Main-track collisions

3

6

4

9

4

5

3

5

4

7

3

Main-track derailments, 1 or 2 cars2

49

35

52

44

40

33

48

39

54

40

39

Main-track train derailments, 3 to 5 cars

17

9

13

15

8

7

5

10

6

3

3

Main-track train derailments, 6 or more cars

44

23

19

41

27

18

28

38

33

27

34

Crossing accidents

171

192

184

185

165

133

143

167

178

130

135

Non-main-track collisions

89

101

93

106

92

69

103

101

112

67

61

Non-main-track derailments, 1 or 2 cars2

404

424

436

357

410

346

424

476

492

406

327

Non-main-track derailments, 3 to 5 cars

91

77

88

90

87

62

82

100

87

65

58

Non-main-track derailments, 6 or more cars

27

29

25

34

26

27

35

23

27

21

15

Collisions/derailments involving track units

34

25

41

27

43

23

45

48

50

39

50

Employee/passenger accidents

11

7

8

13

15

16

17

13

15

9

10

Trespasser accidents

65

71

56

54

50

68

77

68

56

60

64

Fires/Explosions

23

17

11

36

32

35

33

34

100

79

189

Other accident types

43

33

65

37

46

55

45

46

42

35

50

Reportable incidents

233

238

224

407

372

301

235

286

243

229

194

Main-track derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage)

n/a

n/a

n/a

2

3

5

3

4

3

1

2

Non-main-track train collisions (no derailment, no damage)

n/a

n/a

n/a

8

4

4

2

2

0

1

2

Non-main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage)

n/a

n/a

n/a

166

125

97

67

96

58

32

39

Dangerous goods leaker3

79

93

94

63

33

7

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Main-track switch in abnormal position

10

5

7

6

12

7

12

7

15

3

13

Movement exceeds limits of authority

118

120

98

129

142

133

122

138

136

149

109

Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock

16

13

14

11

14

10

14

15

16

19

13

Other reportable incidents

10

7

11

22

39

38

15

24

15

24

16

Main-track accidents4

201

135

184

198

199

173

195

212

277

208

353

Million main-track train miles5

78.4

80.1

78.5

81.6

79.6

74.7

78.0

82.6

83.3

74.9

74.1

Main-track accidents per million main-track train miles

2.6

1.7

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.3

2.5

2.6

3.3

2.8

4.8

Accidents involving dangerous goods

121

120

143

143

127

101

115

125

171

82

86

Main-track derailments

20

6

11

25

12

10

10

17

19

7

16

Crossing accidents

1

4

5

5

4

4

6

7

7

3

2

Non-main-track collisions

21

21

26

36

32

19

39

33

44

13

19

Non-main-track derailments

73

88

96

68

75

60

54

62

95

56

45

Other accident types

6

1

5

9

4

8

6

6

6

3

4

Accidents with a dangerous goods release

3

2

7

4

6

1

5

4

8

3

2

Accidents involving an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock

35

43

57

43

41

33

48

47

62

30

33

Persons fatally injured in reportable occurrences

71

81

124

56

46

66

76

57

72

60

60

Crossing accidents

25

33

30

21

15

19

19

19

28

18

16

Trespasser accidents

43

44

42

32

30

47

53

34

38

40

42

Other occurrence types6

3

4

52

3

1

0

4

4

6

2

2

Persons seriously injured in reportable occurrences

52

73

39

53

50

56

65

91

65

40

51

Crossing accidents

22

32

27

29

18

24

22

42

31

12

24

Trespasser accidents

21

22

10

21

17

20

22

30

17

20

17

Other occurrence types6

9

19

2

3

15

12

21

19

17

8

10

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2Under 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.

3TSB 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.

4Accidents that occurred on main track or spurs, excluding crossing and trespasser accidents, and excluding non-main-track collisions and derailments.

5Main-track (i.e., non-yard) train miles are estimated (Source: Transport Canada email communication 14 March 2022).

6See Table 2 for details on occurrences by type.

Table 2. Casualties, by accident/incident type and category of person, 1 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Persons fatally injured in reportable occurrences

71

81

124

56

46

66

76

57

72

60

60

Main-track collisions

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Main-track derailments

0

3

47

0

0

0

0

1

3

0

0

Crossing accidents

25

33

30

21

15

19

19

19

28

18

16

Non-main-track collisions

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

0

Non-main-track derailments

0

1

0

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

0

4

2

1

0

3

1

2

2

2

Trespasser accidents

43

44

42

32

30

47

53

34

38

40

42

Other accident types

2

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

Reportable incidents

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

Persons seriously injured in reportable occurrences

52

73

39

53

50

56

65

91

65

40

51

Main-track collisions

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Main-track derailments

0

10

0

0

0

0

0

3

1

0

0

Crossing accidents

22

32

27

29

18

24

22

42

31

12

24

Non-main-track collisions

0

1

0

0

0

0

2

0

2

0

0

Non-main-track derailments

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Collisions/derailments involving track units

1

0

0

0

0

3

0

0

2

1

1

Employee/passenger accidents

7

6

1

2

11

8

16

12

11

6

7

Trespasser accidents

21

22

10

21

17

20

22

30

17

20

17

Other accident types

1

0

0

0

2

1

3

0

1

0

2

Reportable incidents

0

1

1

1

2

0

0

4

0

1

0

Persons fatally injured

71

81

124

56

46

66

76

57

72

60

60

Employees

1

4

5

2

1

0

3

4

5

2

1

Passengers

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

Pedestrians

6

17

13

8

3

7

8

10

13

7

5

Vehicle occupants

22

16

17

12

11

12

11

9

16

14

10

Trespassers

42

44

42

32

31

47

53

34

38

36

43

Other categories of persons

0

0

47

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

Persons seriously injured

52

73

39

53

50

56

65

91

65

40

51

Employees

8

9

2

7

8

15

19

17

16

8

6

Passengers

0

14

1

1

8

2

3

3

1

0

2

Pedestrians

5

5

3

1

2

0

2

8

6

3

8

Vehicle occupants

18

23

23

21

16

18

18

33

25

9

20

Trespassers

21

22

10

23

16

21

23

30

17

20

15

Other categories of persons

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data 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 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Freight trains

822

800

834

545

413

338

402

389

448

362

422

Main-track collisions

4

8

7

8

6

6

6

5

4

8

6

Main-track derailments

102

62

79

90

66

48

75

75

78

64

66

Non-main-track collisions

95

94

85

42

27

11

28

20

26

15

12

Non-main-track derailments

401

382

423

187

108

88

95

96

78

56

36

Crossing accidents

132

160

144

139

117

86

94

106

117

94

90

Trespasser accidents

42

51

38

39

36

48

51

40

42

49

51

Other accident types

46

43

58

40

53

51

53

47

103

76

161

Passenger trains

72

47

46

50

46

57

55

68

47

42

42

Main-track collisions

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

Main-track derailments

2

1

3

3

2

4

2

2

2

1

3

Non-main-track collisions

5

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

5

0

Non-main-track derailments

5

5

4

1

2

1

4

6

3

13

3

Crossing accidents

20

15

17

18

16

11

13

19

15

7

11

Trespasser accidents

23

17

16

12

10

13

23

24

12

4

11

Other accident types

17

8

6

14

16

28

13

16

14

11

14

Track units

61

41

76

50

78

41

71

81

85

63

91

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

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Crossing accidents

7

2

7

2

5

4

5

6

4

3

7

Trespasser accidents

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Other accident types

54

39

69

48

73

37

66

75

81

60

84

Single car/cut of cars

121

131

126

378

476

416

527

595

620

469

413

Main-track collisions

1

2

0

6

0

1

0

2

2

3

1

Main-track derailments

5

1

2

8

2

4

2

7

5

4

3

Non-main-track collisions

53

70

59

114

103

93

119

133

141

82

81

Non-main-track derailments

51

49

51

222

333

278

362

402

415

339

294

Crossing accidents

0

1

1

9

17

17

21

26

25

13

15

Trespasser accidents

0

0

0

1

4

6

1

3

2

2

1

Other accident types

11

8

13

18

17

17

22

22

30

26

18

Other types of train/rolling stock

107

150

111

138

132

126

117

151

169

133

150

Main-track collisions

0

1

0

0

0

2

0

0

1

1

0

Main-track derailments

3

3

1

1

5

2

2

3

8

1

4

Non-main-track collisions

15

27

13

26

15

21

14

18

18

9

8

Non-main-track derailments

69

98

73

78

92

72

82

103

113

88

69

Crossing accidents

12

14

15

17

10

15

10

12

17

13

13

Trespasser accidents

0

3

2

2

0

1

2

1

0

5

1

Other accident types

8

4

7

14

10

13

7

14

12

16

55

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2As 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.

3Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

Table 4. Main-track derailments, by province and territory and number of derailed cars,1,2 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Main-track derailments

110

67

84

100

75

58

81

87

93

70

76

Newfoundland and Labrador

1

1

1

0

0

0

2

0

0

1

2

Nova Scotia

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

New Brunswick

0

0

1

3

2

1

0

0

1

0

3

Quebec

10

8

8

11

9

6

6

9

10

9

3

Ontario

24

7

19

20

21

15

11

14

17

14

13

Manitoba

19

9

3

10

4

4

6

8

14

8

5

Saskatchewan

11

4

13

10

8

6

14

18

12

6

9

Alberta

21

17

19

30

17

13

21

20

17

11

17

British Columbia

24

21

19

16

14

12

21

18

22

21

24

Northwest Territories and Yukon

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Main-track derailments per million main-track train miles3

1.40

0.84

1.07

1.23

0.94

0.78

1.04

1.05

1.12

0.93

1.03

Main-track derailments per billion gross ton miles4

0.24

0.14

0.17

0.18

0.14

0.11

0.14

0.15

0.16

0.12

n/a

Main-track derailments by number of derailed cars

110

67

84

100

75

58

81

87

93

70

76

1 car

39

29

47

29

30

26

39

29

43

32

33

2 cars

10

6

5

15

10

7

9

10

11

8

6

3 cars

6

3

5

4

4

2

1

4

2

2

1

4 cars

6

2

6

6

2

2

3

4

3

1

1

5 to 10 cars

29

16

7

22

16

10

13

21

11

10

10

11 cars or more

20

11

14

24

13

11

16

19

23

17

25

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

3Source of estimated million main-track train miles: Transport Canada email communication 14 March 2022.

4Source of billion gross ton miles: Rail Trends 2021, Railway Association of Canada.

Table 5. Main-track derailments, by assigned factors,1,2 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Assigned factors3,4

126

68

96

109

80

63

84

89

89

68

65

Environmental

6

4

5

10

2

3

4

7

8

10

9

Equipment

48

19

33

27

23

20

30

24

25

18

15

Axle

11

6

8

4

6

6

10

2

6

3

4

Brakes

7

3

3

4

4

4

4

4

7

4

1

Draft system

4

4

2

5

5

1

4

7

2

2

4

Superstrucure

3

2

7

3

1

2

1

4

2

2

0

Truck

7

2

5

6

2

1

5

0

1

0

3

Wheel

16

2

8

5

5

6

6

7

7

7

3

Track

45

28

30

49

33

18

32

24

37

21

27

Geometry

18

14

10

11

8

8

14

11

10

9

9

Object on track

2

0

2

1

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

Other track material

4

2

0

7

2

1

3

2

3

1

1

Rail

12

8

12

17

12

4

9

4

13

4

10

Roadbed

6

4

4

5

7

2

4

4

6

5

5

Switch

1

0

0

6

1

3

0

1

1

1

1

Turnouts

1

0

1

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

Actions

19

15

26

18

14

18

17

27

17

17

12

Failure to protect

5

5

5

4

2

4

5

10

9

6

4

Failure to secure

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Failure to use equipment properly

7

2

10

6

5

9

8

13

6

8

5

Improper loading/lifting

0

2

2

3

2

0

2

1

0

0

2

Improper placement/position for task

2

2

6

3

1

4

2

2

1

3

0

Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

Operating at improper speed

3

2

2

2

3

0

0

1

0

0

1

Vandalism

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

Other actions

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

Other assigned factors

8

2

2

5

8

4

1

7

2

2

2

Main-track derailments

110

67

84

100

75

58

81

87

93

70

76

One factor assigned

98

66

74

94

70

53

76

81

85

66

63

More than one factor assigned

12

1

10

6

4

4

4

3

2

1

1

No factors assigned

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

3

6

3

12

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

3Since 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.

4Some 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 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Non-main-track collisions

89

101

93

106

92

69

103

101

112

67

61

Newfoundland and Labrador

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

Nova Scotia

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

New Brunswick

1

1

1

4

0

1

1

2

0

2

1

Quebec

12

8

10

4

10

7

9

5

9

4

3

Ontario

17

10

16

23

20

19

25

19

26

15

9

Manitoba

15

21

14

18

15

10

14

8

15

11

7

Saskatchewan

8

12

11

21

8

5

7

13

11

5

4

Alberta

16

34

28

19

17

19

23

26

29

13

16

British Columbia

20

15

13

17

21

8

23

27

22

16

21

Northwest Territories and Yukon

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

Non-main-track collisions

89

101

93

106

92

69

103

101

112

67

61

No cars derailed

50

63

63

63

63

38

64

54

63

34

34

1 car

21

14

18

19

21

14

16

27

27

16

11

2 cars

8

10

7

13

1

7

11

6

11

4

6

3 cars

3

6

2

4

3

4

5

4

6

6

3

4 cars

5

5

0

3

2

2

3

2

0

2

2

5 to 10 cars

2

3

3

3

2

3

4

7

3

5

4

11 cars or more

0

0

0

1

0

1

0

1

2

0

1

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data 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 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Assigned factors2,3

105

114

113

118

103

81

113

106

115

68

56

Environmental

2

4

1

2

2

2

1

2

3

2

4

Equipment

3

4

5

4

3

3

1

3

3

1

2

Track

1

3

6

8

7

1

3

3

3

3

3

Actions

92

100

95

102

88

70

102

94

102

58

44

Failure to protect

64

63

54

61

59

43

66

59

66

39

26

Failure to secure

10

16

13

11

4

5

7

9

7

7

7

Failure to use equipment properly

9

10

14

16

14

11

19

18

21

7

7

Improper placement/position for task

0

0

2

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

Inadequate/Inappropriate communications

4

2

3

2

3

3

1

1

2

2

3

Inadequate/Inappropriate maintenance of equipment

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Operating at improper speed

5

8

8

12

7

8

9

7

4

3

1

Vandalism

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Other actions

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

0

Other assigned factors

7

3

6

2

3

5

6

4

4

4

3

Non-main-track collisions

89

101

93

106

92

69

103

101

112

67

61

One assigned factor

73

88

73

97

83

60

96

97

109

66

52

More than one assigned factor

16

13

20

9

9

9

7

4

3

1

2

No assigned factor

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

7

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2Since 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.

3Some 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 2011 to 2021
  2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Non-main-track derailment accidents

522

530

549

481

523

435

541

599

606

492

400

Newfoundland and Labrador

0

1

1

0

6

12

11

9

7

7

10

Nova Scotia

3

4

2

4

3

2

5

6

3

8

6

New Brunswick

14

8

4

12

13

9

9

5

12

7

6

Quebec

64

75

55

48

81

67

85

60

111

70

60

Ontario

108

95

93

93

109

85

115

119

136

93

89

Manitoba

75

68

70

68

71

58

70

65

68

59

44

Saskatchewan

79

68

87

50

49

55

49

83

55

47

42

Alberta

103

144

145

125

91

68

93

131

115

101

71

British Columbia

74

67

91

80

100

79

103

121

99

100

72

Northwest Territories and Yukon

2

0

1

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

Non-main-track derailment accidents

522

530

549

481

523

435

541

599

606

492

400

1 car

291

301

334

260

319

265

333

383

403

323

250

2 cars

113

123

102

97

91

81

91

93

89

83

77

3 cars

47

39

48

49

53

31

46

54

39

36

30

4 cars

29

22

25

23

26

22

25

28

32

19

18

5 to 10 cars

37

40

37

46

29

31

43

35

32

29

24

11 cars or more

5

5

3

6

5

5

3

6

11

2

1

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

Table 9. Non main-track derailment accidents, by assigned factors,1,2 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Assigned factors3,4

578

563

622

517

560

465

572

610

610

495

374

Environmental

58

29

82

30

36

40

59

77

131

63

52

Equipment

57

51

39

41

31

31

34

31

23

28

24

Axle

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

Brakes

14

6

7

9

7

4

6

11

1

6

5

Draft system

11

10

5

8

3

5

5

5

5

5

7

Superstrucure

11

8

7

7

5

4

8

10

6

5

2

Truck

7

17

14

11

8

11

12

5

6

8

7

Wheel

13

8

6

6

8

7

3

0

4

4

3

Track

175

207

205

202

194

164

162

190

165

143

101

Appurtenances

0

4

1

2

1

1

3

3

2

0

1

Geometry

71

80

73

77

61

72

67

78

76

63

44

Object on track

2

3

2

0

2

1

1

3

3

2

1

Other track material

7

6

5

3

5

6

6

7

2

1

4

Rail

19

30

38

30

30

19

38

24

24

18

14

Roadbed

25

13

10

8

9

4

6

6

6

4

3

Signals

0

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

Switch

35

54

58

59

64

50

30

52

40

41

29

Turnouts

13

12

12

19

16

4

8

12

11

11

3

Actions

255

255

269

226

276

216

301

307

280

255

189

Failure to protect

147

140

140

130

158

109

163

209

176

148

106

Failure to secure

3

11

6

5

2

1

9

10

14

5

7

Failure to use equipment properly

76

77

84

67

72

81

98

66

72

68

59

Improper loading/lifting

8

4

7

3

8

1

7

2

6

7

2

Improper placement/position for task

8

11

8

7

7

6

11

4

6

10

5

Inadequate/inappropriate communications

2

2

3

1

4

1

2

4

0

3

2

Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment

0

0

1

0

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

Operating at improper speed

4

3

10

13

16

8

8

6

3

9

7

Vandalism

6

3

5

0

5

6

3

5

0

4

1

Other actions

1

4

5

0

1

3

0

1

3

1

0

Other assigned factors

33

21

27

18

23

14

16

5

11

6

8

Non-main-track derailment accidents

522

530

549

481

523

435

541

599

606

492

400

One assigned factor

458

497

479

450

498

414

517

584

602

485

368

More than one assigned factor

60

33

70

31

25

21

24

12

4

5

3

No assigned factor

4

0

0

0

0

0

0

3

0

2

29

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

3Since 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.

4Some 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 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Crossing accidents

171

192

184

185

165

133

143

167

178

130

135

Public crossings

148

170

172

154

131

105

117

136

135

110

113

Passive warnings

59

73

65

68

52

36

47

50

49

56

56

Automated warnings

89

97

107

86

79

69

70

86

86

54

57

Flashing lights and bells

52

48

56

47

37

39

30

44

43

17

24

Gates

36

49

44

38

42

29

38

41

42

36

33

Other automated warnings

1

0

7

1

0

1

2

1

1

1

0

Private crossings

15

18

10

27

28

24

21

30

40

18

22

Farm crossings

8

4

2

4

6

4

5

1

3

2

0

Fatal accidents

24

28

22

20

15

16

19

18

26

16

15

Persons fatally injured

25

33

30

21

15

19

19

19

28

18

16

Public crossings

21

32

30

20

13

19

19

18

25

18

16

Passive warnings

5

14

3

2

2

7

4

2

6

12

5

Automated warnings

16

18

27

18

11

12

15

16

19

6

11

Flashing lights and bells

9

7

7

3

2

5

3

4

5

1

5

Gates

7

11

20

15

9

7

12

12

14

5

6

Other automated warnings

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Private crossings

1

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

3

0

0

Farm crossings

3

1

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

Persons seriously injured

22

32

27

29

18

24

22

42

31

12

24

Public crossings

20

29

26

22

18

21

18

37

25

11

23

Passive warnings

3

15

7

11

4

5

9

17

6

3

11

Automated warnings

17

14

19

11

14

16

9

20

19

8

12

Flashing lights and bells

9

6

4

6

4

8

3

6

9

2

6

Gates

8

8

13

5

10

8

6

14

10

6

6

Other automated warnings

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Private crossings

1

3

0

7

0

3

3

5

6

1

1

Farm crossings

1

0

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

Number of public crossings2

16413

16229

   16113

15950

15724

15656

16524

16447

16497

16366

15434

Passive warnings

10826

10628

10548

10397

10173

10109

10833

10671

10608

10506

9561

Automated warnings

5587

5601

5565

5553

5551

5547

5691

5776

5889

5860

5873

Flashing lights and bells

3308

3288

3235

3189

3156

3118

3268

3267

3277

3208

3163

Gates

2220

2254

2275

2317

2351

2386

2399

2484

2585

2627

2685

Other automated warnings

59

59

55

47

44

43

24

25

27

25

25

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2Source: Transport Canada IRIS database. The data for 2021 are from 14 March 2022. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.

Table 11. Crossing accidents and casualties, by province and territory,1 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Crossing accidents

171

192

184

185

165

133

143

167

178

130

Newfoundland and Labrador

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Nova Scotia

0

1

0

0

2

1

3

3

2

4

New Brunswick

6

3

2

6

7

4

1

3

2

1

Quebec

27

18

16

23

28

29

26

24

25

20

Ontario

39

41

40

44

29

26

26

43

50

20

Manitoba

7

26

19

17

19

14

15

15

20

22

Saskatchewan

23

32

37

34

23

19

26

22

24

13

Alberta

47

49

50

40

38

21

28

35

35

31

British Columbia

20

22

19

21

19

19

18

22

20

19

Northwest Territories and Yukon

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Crossing accidents on main track2

167

182

171

173

159

122

136

156

166

124

Crossing accidents per million main-track train miles3

2.1

2.3

2.2

2.1

2.0

1.6

1.7

1.9

2.0

1.7

Crossing accidents with derailment

4

3

6

9

6

6

5

7

1

3

Persons fatally injured

25

33

30

21

15

19

19

19

28

18

Newfoundland and Labrador

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Nova Scotia

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

New Brunswick

2

1

1

0

0

2

0

0

0

0

Quebec

4

1

2

9

4

3

7

3

2

3

Ontario

9

12

13

5

5

3

7

7

11

2

Manitoba

2

3

0

1

1

2

2

0

5

5

Saskatchewan

1

8

3

2

0

4

0

1

4

1

Alberta

5

6

7

2

3

3

2

3

2

5

British Columbia

2

2

4

2

2

2

1

5

4

2

Northwest Territories and Yukon

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Persons seriously injured

22

32

27

29

18

24

22

42

31

12

Newfoundland and Labrador

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Nova Scotia

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

1

New Brunswick

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Quebec

4

1

1

3

2

8

3

10

1

2

Ontario

7

8

15

3

0

4

2

8

7

1

Manitoba

1

7

0

7

2

3

3

8

0

2

Saskatchewan

2

6

5

7

2

2

2

9

7

1

Alberta

4

7

5

5

6

6

5

2

9

3

British Columbia

4

3

1

4

6

1

7

5

5

2

Northwest Territories and Yukon

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Number of public crossings4

16413

16229

16113

15950

15724

15656

16524

16447

16497

16366

Newfoundland and Labrador

5

5

5

5

5

5

4

5

5

5

Nova Scotia

180

180

182

182

182

182

181

181

183

168

New Brunswick

340

340

342

343

344

344

471

472

432

432

Quebec

1966

1968

1967

1921

1902

1902

1694

1693

1786

1788

Ontario

3915

3884

3792

3782

3743

3728

4126

4131

4158

4074

Manitoba

2002

1939

1929

1914

1862

1858

2046

2006

1987

1983

Saskatchewan

3710

3656

3652

3597

3509

3504

3607

3573

3546

3526

Alberta

2783

2777

2767

2731

2724

2707

2881

2894

2883

2895

British Columbia

1486

1454

1451

1449

1432

1404

1498

1476

1502

1480

Northwest Territories and Yukon

26

26

26

26

21

22

16

16

15

15

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2Includes crossing accidents on main track or on spurs.

3Source of estimated million main-track train miles: Transport Canada email communication 14 March 2022.

4Source: Transport Canada IRIS database. The data for 2021 are from 14 March 2022. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.

Table 12. Trespasser accidents and casualties, by province and territory,1 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Trespasser accidents

65

71

56

54

50

68

77

68

56

60

64

Newfoundland and Labrador

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Nova Scotia

1

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

2

1

New Brunswick

2

1

0

0

1

1

0

0

1

1

1

Quebec

8

11

7

6

5

3

12

12

6

8

7

Ontario

32

31

30

21

23

25

34

30

21

21

35

Manitoba

1

2

2

2

1

4

4

3

2

3

1

Saskatchewan

2

6

2

2

4

3

1

1

4

1

2

Alberta

6

9

7

10

4

10

8

10

14

12

6

British Columbia

13

11

8

13

12

21

17

12

8

12

11

Northwest Territories and Yukon

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Fatal accidents

43

43

42

31

30

46

52

34

38

40

42

Persons fatally injured

43

44

42

32

30

47

53

34

38

40

42

Newfoundland and Labrador

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Nova Scotia

0

0

0

0

0

2

1

0

0

0

0

New Brunswick

1

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

Quebec

6

8

4

2

5

2

9

7

4

8

5

Ontario

26

18

26

15

13

19

26

14

16

14

28

Manitoba

1

2

2

1

1

2

1

2

2

1

1

Saskatchewan

1

4

2

1

1

2

1

0

4

1

1

Alberta

2

6

4

5

3

5

5

4

9

10

2

British Columbia

6

5

4

8

6

15

10

7

3

6

5

Northwest Territories and Yukon

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Persons seriously injured

21

22

10

21

17

20

22

30

17

20

17

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

2

0

New Brunswick

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

1

1

1

Quebec

2

2

3

4

0

1

3

5

2

0

1

Ontario

6

13

3

6

8

6

8

13

5

7

6

Manitoba

0

0

0

1

0

2

2

1

0

2

0

Saskatchewan

1

0

0

0

4

1

0

1

0

0

0

Alberta

4

2

1

4

1

4

2

6

4

2

2

British Columbia

7

5

3

6

4

5

7

4

5

6

7

Northwest Territories and Yukon

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data 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 2011 to 2021
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Reportable incidents

233

238

224

407

372

301

235

286

243

229

194

Main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage)

n/a

n/a

n/a

2

3

5

3

4

3

1

2

Non-main-track train collisions2 (no derailment, no damage)

n/a

n/a

n/a

8

4

4

2

2

0

1

2

Non-main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage)

n/a

n/a

n/a

166

125

97

67

96

58

32

39

Dangerous goods leaker3

79

93

94

63

33

7

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Main-track switch in abnormal position

10

5

7

6

12

7

12

7

15

3

13

Movement exceeds limits of authority

118

120

98

129

142

133

122

138

136

149

109

Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock

16

13

14

11

14

10

14

15

16

19

13

Signal less restrictive than required

3

1

1

2

5

1

1

2

0

1

0

Unprotected overlap of authorities

7

5

4

5

6

4

2

11

6

5

4

Crew member incapacitated

0

1

6

1

2

1

4

5

0

1

0

Derailment involving track unit (no damage)

n/a

n/a

n/a

7

10

13

5

5

7

9

4

Rolling stock collision with abandoned vehicle (no derailment, no damage)

n/a

n/a

n/a

1

5

5

0

1

0

1

1

Rolling stock collision with object (no derailment, no damage) 

n/a

n/a

n/a

6

10

14

3

0

1

2

6

Assigned factors4,5

240

245

229

424

392

324

245

291

248

229

169

Dangerous goods leaker location/component

78

92

92

61

32

9

0

0

0

0

0

Equipment

1

2

4

13

8

10

9

8

7

9

6

Individual/Personal

0

1

4

1

3

0

3

4

0

0

0

Track

5

2

2

25

36

29

7

13

7

13

12

Actions

144

139

116

250

264

241

191

209

185

176

137

Failure to protect

55

38

33

95

94

88

73

90

66

46

54

Failure to secure

11

4

7

5

11

4

9

2

7

8

4

Failure to use equipment properly

5

1

9

29

25

34

20

20

9

15

11

Inadequate/Inappropriate communication

11

14

8

18

13

14

8

14

12

15

4

Lap of authority

59

75

54

83

98

82

74

72

87

88

58

Vandalism

2

5

1

5

6

6

1

3

2

1

2

Other actions

1

2

4

15

17

13

6

8

2

3

4

Other assigned factors

12

9

11

74

49

35

35

57

49

31

14

Reportable incidents

233

238

224

407

372

301

235

286

243

229

194

One factor assigned

226

230

220

391

358

279

225

280

238

222

169

More than one factor assigned

7

7

4

16

14

21

9

5

5

3

0

No factor assigned

0

1

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

4

25

Data extracted 15 March 2022

1Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.

2Under 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.

3TSB 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.

4Since 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.

5Some 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 are based on the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the associated regulations, and apply to the rail transportation occurrences reported pursuant to them.

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.