Rail transportation occurrences in 2022

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

    This summary serves to describe the accident, incident, and injury countsFootnote 1 that are presented in the included tables. It provides limited discussion and some context but is not intended to be an in-depth analysis of the data.

    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 2022 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) data at 27 February 2023. Since the occurrence data are constantly being updated in the live database, the statistics may change slightly over time.

    Also, as many occurrences are limited to data gathering, information recorded on some occurrences may not have been verified.

    Accidents

    Overview of accidents and casualties

    In 2022, 995Footnote 2 rail accidentsFootnote 3 were reported to the TSB (Figure 1 and Table 1), up from the 2021 total of 898, but a 5% decrease from the previous 10-year (2012 to 2021) average of 1043.

    Figure 1. Rail accidents, 2012 to 2022
    Image
    Rail accidents, 2012 to 2022
    Figure 1. Data table
    Rail accidents, 2012 to 2022
    Year Accidents
    2012 1049
    2013 1094
    2014 1042
    2015 1042
    2016 896
    2017 1087
    2018 1167
    2019 1214
    2020 942
    2021 898
    2022 995

    Freight trains accounted for 32% of all rolling stock involved in rail accidents in 2022. Five percent (54 in total) were passenger trains, with the remaining 63% comprising mainly single cars/cuts of cars, locomotives, and track units (Table 3).

    The largest proportion of reported rail accidents comprised non-main-track derailmentsFootnote 4 (44%) (Figure 2 and Table 1). Typically, most non-main-track derailment accidents are minor, occurring during switching operations at speeds of less than 10 mph.

    Figure 2. Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2022*
    Image
    Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2022*
    Figure 2. Data table
    Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2022*
    Type of accident Accidents
    Main-track collisions 8
    Main-track derailments 68
    Crossing accidents 160
    Trespasser accidents 73
    Non-main-track collisions 63
    Non-main-track derailments 440
    Other 183

    * Due to rounding of percentages within categories, 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 2022 (7%) was approximately the same as both the previous year and the 10-year average.

    In 2022, 16% of rail accidents involved vehicles or pedestrians at rail crossings, comparable to the 15% average of the previous 10 years.

    In 2022, 111 accidents involved dangerous goods (Table 1),Footnote 5 up from 86 in 2021 but below the 10-year average of 121. Two accidents resulted in a dangerous goods release in 2022, the same as the previous year, but below the 10-year average of 4.

    Rail fatalities (Figure 3 and Table 1) totalled 66 in 2022, up from 60 last year but below the 10-year average of 70. Crossing fatalities totalled 14 in 2022, down from 17 in 2021 and below the 10-year average of 22. TrespasserFootnote 6 fatalities totalled 52 in 2022, up from 41 in the previous year and above the 10-year average of 40. In 2022, no railway employee was fatally injured, below the 10-year average of 3 employee fatalities per year.

    Figure 3. Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2012 to 2022
    Image
    Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2012 to 2022
    Figure 3. Data table
    Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2012 to 2022
    Year Crossing accidents Trespasser accidents All others
    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 17 41 2
    2022 14 52 0

    A total of 57 serious injuriesFootnote 7 resulted from rail occurrences in 2022 (Figure 4 and Table 1), up from 52 in 2021 but below the 10-year average of 58. Crossing accidentsFootnote 8 resulted in 27 serious injuries, up from 24 in 2021 and above the 10-year average of 26. Serious injuries to trespassers totalled 16 in 2022, down from 17 last year and below the 10-year average of 20. Ten railway employees were seriously injured in 2022, up from 7 in 2021 but below the 10-year average of 11 (Table 2).

    Figure 4. Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2012 to 2022
    Image
    Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2012 to 2022
    Figure 4. Data table
    Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2012 to 2022
    Year Crossing accidents Trespasser accidents All others
    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 11
    2022 27 16 14

    The number of main-track accidentsFootnote 9 totalled 225 in 2022 (Figure 5 and Table 1), up from 213 in 2021 and 18% above the 10-year average of 190. Rail activityFootnote 10 on main track (i.e., non-yard activity) increased by 2% from the previous year. The main-track accident rate in 2022 was 3.0 accidents per million main-track train miles, up from 2.9 in 2021 and 24% above the 10-year average of 2.4.

    To test whether the change in rate was statistically significant, Kendall’s tau-b (τb) correlation and Sen’s estimate of slope were used to quantify the trend in accident rate. 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 2012 to 2022. There was a strong, positive correlation that indicates an upward trend in accidents per million main-track train miles over the period (τb = 0.63, p < 0.01). Sen’s estimate of slope, the amount of upward rate change per year, was 0.079 occurrences per million main-track miles per year.

    Figure 5. Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2012 to 2022
    Image
    Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2012 to 2022
    Figure 5. Data table
    Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2012 to 2022
    Year Main-track accidents Main-track accidents per million main-track train miles Sen's estimate of slope (0.079)
    2012 137 1.710738 2.162611
    2013 184 2.344528 2.24162
    2014 192 2.353581 2.32063
    2015 197 2.4764 2.39964
    2016 172 2.301383 2.47865
    2017 194 2.4872 2.557659
    2018 212 2.565316 2.636669
    2019 236 2.834716 2.715679
    2020 163 2.175428 2.794689
    2021 213 2.873698 2.873698
    2022 225 2.985659 2.952708

    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 8 main-track collisions (Table 1 and Figure 6) in 2022, up from the 2021 total of 3 and also above the 10-year average of 5. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track collisions in 2022. There was no release of dangerous goods as a result of main-track collisions in 2022.

    A total of 68 main-track derailments (Table 4) were reported in 2022, a decrease from the 2021 total of 76, and 14% below the 10-year average of 79 (Figure 6). Twenty-six percent of the 68 main-track derailments occurred in British Columbia, 18% occurred in Saskatchewan, and 15% occurred in each of Alberta and Quebec.

    The number of main-track derailments per million main-track (i.e., non-yard) train miles (Table 4) decreased to 0.90 in 2022 from 1.03 the previous year and was below the 10-year average of 1.00.

    Figure 6. Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2012 to 2022
    Image
    Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2012 to 2022
    Figure 6. Data table
    Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2012 to 2022
    Year Main-track collisions Main-track derailments
    2012 6 67
    2013 4 84
    2014 9 100
    2015 4 74
    2016 5 58
    2017 3 81
    2018 5 87
    2019 4 93
    2020 7 70
    2021 3 76
    2022 8 68

    No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track derailments in 2022 (Table 2). Eleven main-track derailments involved dangerous goods, down from the 2021 total of 16 and below the 10-year average of 13. One of these derailments resulted in the release of dangerous goods (liquefied petroleum gas).

    In 2022, 17% of assigned factorsFootnote 11 for main-track derailments (Table 5) were equipment-related, down from the 10-year average of 29%. Actions-related factorsFootnote 12 accounted for 46% of assigned factors in 2022, up from the 10-year average of 22%. Track-related factors were reported in 22% of main-track derailments in 2022, below the 10-year average of 37%.

    Non-main-track collisions (Table 6 and Figure 7) totalled 63 in 2022, up from the 2021 total of 62, but below the 10-year average of 91. Derailments occurred in 31 non-main-track collisions (49%), and 13 of those collisions involved the derailment of a single car.

    Non-main-track collisions resulted in no fatalities and 1 serious injury in 2022 (Table 2). Dangerous goods were involved in 48% 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 (86%), 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 (54%) as a factor.

    Figure 7. Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2012 to 2022
    Image
    Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2012 to 2022
    Figure 7. Data table
    Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2012 to 2022
    Year Non-main-track collisions Non-main-track derailments
    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 62 400
    2022 63 440

    There were 440 non-main-track derailmentsFootnote 13 in 2022 (Table 8 and Figure 7), up from 400 last year but 15% below the 10-year average of 516. In 82% of 2022 accidents, 1 or 2 cars derailed. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track derailments in 2022 (Table 2).

    Dangerous goods cars were involved in 14% of non-main-track derailment accidents, none of which resulted in a release of product.

    In 2022, actions-related factors represented 50% of all assigned factors for non-main-track derailment accidents, above the 10-year average of 48% (Table 9). Track-related factors represented 26% of all assigned factors, below the 10-year average of 32%. Environmental-related factors represented 18% of all assigned factors in 2022, above the 10-year average of 11%.

    Crossing accidents (tables 10 and 11) represented one of the more serious types of rail accidents in 2022, with 23% of these resulting in serious or fatal injuries.

    There were 160 crossing accidents in 2022, an 18% increase from the 2021 total of 136 and comparable to the 10-year average of 161. The number of accidents at public automated crossings (77) was up from the 2021 total of 58, but below the 10-year average of 79. The number of accidents at public passive crossings (55) was 1 fewer than the 2021 total but the same as the 10-year average. Accidents at private and farm crossings (28) increased from the 2021 total of 22 and were comparable to the 10-year average of 27.

    In 2022, 48% of crossing accidents occurred at public automated crossings, and 34% at public passive crossings (Figure 8). Although there are nearly one and a half times as many public passive crossings as public automated crossings, the higher number of accidents occurring at automated crossings is due, in part, to higher vehicle and train traffic volumes at the automated crossings.

    Figure 8. Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2022
    Image
    Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2022
    Figure 8. Data table
    Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2022
    Type of crossing Accidents
    Public passive 55
    Public automated 77
    Private 25
    Farm 3

    There were 14 fatal crossing accidents in 2022, down from 16 reported in 2021 and below the 10-year average of 20. Crossing-related fatalities totalled 14 in 2022, down from 17 reported in 2021 and below the 10-year average of 22.

    Crossing accidents involving pedestrians accounted for 6% (9) of all crossing accidents in 2022, but accounted for 36% (5) of fatal crossing accidents and 36% of crossing-related fatalities.

    Crossing-related serious injuries totalled 27 in 2022, up from the 2021 total of 24 and above the 10-year average of 26.

    In 2022, 4 crossing accidents resulted in a train derailment, up from 2 in 2021 but below the 10-year average (5).

    One crossing accident resulted in the release of dangerous goods (gasoline) in 2022.

    Ontario had the highest proportion (23%) of all crossing accidents in 2022. Alberta 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, 2022
    Image
    Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2022
    Figure 9. Data table
    Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2022
    Province or territory 2012 to 2021 average
    BC 20
    AB 35.8
    SK 25.4
    MB 18.3
    ON 34.6
    QC 22.3
    NB 3.1
    NS 1.6
    NL 0
    NT, YT 0.2

    Trespasser accidents (Table 12 and Figure 10) totalled 73 in 2022, up from 63 in 2021 and above the 10-year average of 62. Ontario accounted for 47% of trespasser accidents, followed by British Columbia with 18%, Quebec with 15%, and Alberta with 12%.

    Figure 10. Trespasser accidents by province/territory, 2022
    Image
    Trespasser accidents by province/territory, 2022
    Figure 10. Data table
    Trespasser accidents by province/territory, 2022
    Province or territory 2012 to 2021 average
    BC 12.5
    AB 9
    SK 2.6
    MB 2.4
    ON 27.1
    QC 7.6
    NB 0.6
    NS 0.5
    NL 0
    NT, YT 0

    In 2022, the proportion of trespasser accidents that were fatal (71%) was above the 10-year average of 64%. The proportion of trespasser accidents resulting in serious injuries (22%) was below the 10-year average of 31%.

    Incidents

    Overview of incidents

    In 2022, there were 381 reported rail incidentsFootnote 14 (Figure 11 and Table 1), up from 337 in 2021.

    Figure 11. Rail incidents,* 2012 to 2022
    Image
    Rail incidents,* 2012 to 2022

    * The amended TSB Regulations came into effect on 1 July 2014.

    Figure 11. Data table
    Rail incidents,* 2012 to 2022
    Year Incidents
    2012 238
    2013 225
    2014 413
    2015 374
    2016 302
    2017 236
    2018 287
    2019 285
    2020 275
    2021 337
    2022 381

    * The amended TSB Regulations came into effect on 1 July 2014.

    The movement exceeds limits of authorityFootnote 15 incident type accounted for 35% of reportable incidents in 2022 (Table 13), followed by non-main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars (no damage) at 32%, and fires on railway right-of-way (23%).

    In 2022, there were 9 uncontrolled movement of rolling stock incidents, as well as 3 derailment incidents, 2 collision incidents, and 1 movement exceeds limits of authority incident that involved an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock. In addition, 37 accidents involved an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock (Table 1), for a total of 52 occurrences. This is up compared to the total of these occurrences in 2021 (48), but a 14% decrease from the 10-year average of 61.

    There were 134 movement exceeds limits of authority incidents in 2022, an increase from 109 reported in 2021 and 5% above the 10-year average of 128 (Table 1).

    Data tables

    Table 1. Rail transportation occurrences, by accident/incident type and casualties,1 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Accidents 1049 1094 1042 1042 896 1087 1167 1214 942 898 995
    Main-track collisions 6 4 9 4 5 3 5 4 7 3 8
    Main-track derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 35 52 44 39 33 48 39 54 40 39 32
    Main-track train derailments, 3 to 5 cars 9 13 15 8 7 5 10 6 3 3 8
    Main-track train derailments, 6 or more cars 23 19 41 27 18 28 38 33 27 34 28
    Crossing accidents 192 184 185 165 133 143 167 178 130 136 160
    Non-main-track collisions  101 93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67 62 63
    Non-main-track derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 424 436 357 410 346 424 476 492 406 327 360
    Non-main-track derailments, 3 to 5 cars 77 88 90 87 62 82 100 87 65 58 57
    Non-main-track derailments, 6 or more cars 29 25 34 26 27 35 23 27 21 15 23
    Collisions/derailments involving track units 25 41 27 43 23 45 48 50 39 50 64
    Employee/passenger accidents 7 8 13 15 16 17 13 15 9 11 10
    Trespasser accidents 71 56 54 50 68 77 68 56 60 63 73
    Fires/explosions on board rolling stock 17 10 30 30 34 32 33 58 33 46 46
    Other accident types 33 65 37 46 55 45 46 42 35 51 63
    Reportable incidents 238 225 413 374 302 236 287 285 275 337 381
    Main-track derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage) n/a n/a 2 3 5 3 4 3 1 2 1
    Non-main-track train collisions (no derailment, no damage) n/a n/a 8 4 4 2 2 0 1 2 4
    Non-main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage) n/a n/a 166 125 97 67 96 58 32 39 121
    Fires on railway right-of-way 0 1 6 2 1 1 1 42 46 143 87
    Main-track switch in abnormal position 5 7 6 12 7 12 7 15 3 13 8
    Movement exceeds limits of authority 120 98 129 142 133 122 138 136 149 109 134
    Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock 13 14 11 14 10 14 15 16 19 13 9
    Other reportable incidents 100 105 85 72 45 15 24 15 24 16 17
    Main-track accidents3 137 184 192 197 172 194 212 236 163 213 225
    Million main-track train miles4 80.1 78.5 81.6 79.6 74.7 78.0 82.6 83.3 74.9 74.1 75.4
    Main-track accidents per million main-track train miles 1.7 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.8 2.2 2.9 3.0
    Accidents involving dangerous goods 120 143 143 127 101 115 125 171 82 86 111
    Main-track derailments 6 11 25 12 10 10 17 19 7 16 11
    Crossing accidents 4 5 5 4 4 6 7 7 3 2 5
    Non-main-track collisions 21 26 36 32 19 39 33 44 13 19 30
    Non-main-track derailments 88 96 68 75 60 54 62 95 56 45 60
    Other accident types 1 5 9 4 8 6 6 6 3 4 5
    Accidents with a dangerous goods release 2 7 4 6 1 5 4 8 3 2 2
    Accidents involving an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock 43 57 43 41 33 48 47 62 28 32 37
    Persons fatally injured in reportable occurrences 81 124 56 46 66 76 57 72 60 60 66
    Crossing accidents 33 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18 17 14
    Trespasser accidents 44 42 32 30 47 53 34 38 40 41 52
    Other occurrence types5 4 52 3 1 0 4 4 6 2 2 0
    Persons seriously injured in reportable occurrences 73 39 53 50 56 65 91 65 40 52 57
    Crossing accidents 32 27 29 18 24 22 42 31 12 24 27
    Trespasser accidents 22 10 21 17 20 22 30 17 20 17 16
    Other occurrence types5 19 2 3 15 12 21 19 17 8 11 14

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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; they also include 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. Accidents that occurred on the main track or spurs, excluding crossing and trespasser accidents, and excluding non-main-track collisions and derailments.
    4. Main-track (i.e., non-yard) train miles are estimated (Source: Transport Canada email communication 13 March 2023).
    5. See Table 2 for details on occurrences by type.
    Table 2. Casualties, by accident/incident type and category of person,1 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Persons fatally injured in reportable occurrences 81 124 56 46 66 76 57 72 60 60 66
    Main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Main-track derailments 3 47 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0
    Crossing accidents  33 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18 17 14
    Non-main-track collisions 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
    Non-main-track derailments 1 0 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 0 4 2 1 0 3 1 2 2 2 0
    Trespasser accidents 44 42 32 30 47 53 34 38 40 41 52
    Other accident types 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
    Reportable incidents 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
    Persons seriously injured in reportable occurrences 73 39 53 50 56 65 91 65 40 52 57
    Main-track collisions 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Main-track derailments 10 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0
    Crossing accidents  32 27 29 18 24 22 42 31 12 24 27
    Non-main-track collisions 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1
    Non-main-track derailments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Collisions/derailments involving track units 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 1 1 1
    Employee/passenger accidents 6 1 2 11 8 16 12 11 6 8 10
    Trespasser accidents 22 10 21 17 20 22 30 17 20 17 16
    Other accident types 0 0 0 2 1 3 0 1 0 2 2
    Reportable incidents 1 1 1 2 0 0 4 0 1 0 0
    Persons fatally injured 81 124 56 46 66 76 57 72 60 60 66
    Employees 4 5 2 1 0 3 4 5 2 1 0
    Passengers 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
    Pedestrians 17 13 8 3 7 8 10 13 7 5 5
    Vehicle occupants 16 17 12 11 12 11 9 16 14 10 9
    Trespassers 44 42 32 31 47 53 34 38 36 43 52
    Other categories of persons 0 47 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
    Persons seriously injured 73 39 53 50 56 65 91 65 40 52 57
    Employees 9 2 7 8 15 19 17 16 8 7 10
    Passengers 14 1 1 8 2 3 3 1 0 2 2
    Pedestrians 5 3 1 2 0 2 8 6 3 8 6
    Vehicle occupants 23 23 21 16 18 18 33 25 9 20 23
    Trespassers 22 10 23 16 21 23 30 17 20 15 16
    Other categories of persons 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Freight trains 800 833 542 412 338 402 389 418 328 329 341
    Main-track collisions 8 7 8 6 6 6 5 4 8 6 13
    Main-track derailments 62 79 90 66 48 75 75 78 64 66 57
    Non-main-track collisions 94 85 42 27 11 28 20 26 15 12 7
    Non-main-track derailments 382 423 187 108 88 95 96 78 56 36 31
    Crossing accidents 160 144 139 117 86 94 106 117 94 90 116
    Trespasser accidents 51 38 39 36 48 51 40 42 49 51 51
    Other accident types 43 57 37 52 51 53 47 73 42 68 66
    Passenger trains 47 46 50 46 56 55 68 47 40 42 54
    Main-track collisions 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
    Main-track derailments 1 3 3 2 4 2 2 2 1 3 0
    Non-main-track collisions 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 1
    Non-main-track derailments 5 4 1 2 1 4 6 3 13 3 2
    Crossing accidents 15 17 18 16 11 13 19 15 7 12 9
    Trespasser accidents 17 16 12 10 13 23 24 12 4 10 18
    Other accident types 8 6 14 16 27 13 16 14 9 14 24
    Track units 41 76 48 77 41 71 81 81 63 91 99
    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 2 7 2 5 4 5 6 4 3 7 9
    Trespasser accidents 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Other accident types 39 69 46 72 37 66 75 77 60 84 90
    Single car/cut of cars 131 126 378 476 416 526 594 616 467 413 468
    Main-track collisions 2 0 6 0 1 0 2 2 3 1 1
    Main-track derailments 1 2 8 2 4 2 7 5 4 3 5
    Non-main-track collisions 70 59 114 103 93 119 133 141 82 83 83
    Non-main-track derailments 49 51 222 333 278 362 402 415 339 294 343
    Crossing accidents 1 1 9 17 17 21 26 25 13 15 10
    Trespasser accidents 0 0 1 4 6 1 3 2 2 1 0
    Other accident types 8 13 18 17 17 21 21 26 24 16 26
    Other types of train/rolling stock 150 111 137 131 126 117 151 165 125 104 118
    Main-track collisions 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 1
    Main-track derailments 3 1 1 4 2 2 3 8 1 4 7
    Non-main-track collisions 27 13 26 15 21 14 18 18 9 8 15
    Non-main-track derailments 98 73 78 92 72 82 103 113 88 69 64
    Crossing accidents 14 15 17 10 15 10 12 17 13 13 16
    Trespasser accidents 3 2 2 0 1 2 1 0 5 1 4
    Other accident types 4 7 13 10 13 7 14 8 8 9 11

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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 derailment accidents, by province and territory and number of derailed cars,1,2 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Main-track derailment accidents 67 84 100 74 58 81 87 93 70 76 68
    Newfoundland and Labrador 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 2
    Nova Scotia 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
    New Brunswick 0 1 3 2 1 0 0 1 0 3 1
    Quebec 8 8 11 9 6 6 9 10 9 3 10
    Ontario 7 19 20 21 15 11 14 17 14 13 9
    Manitoba 9 3 10 4 4 6 8 14 8 5 5
    Saskatchewan 4 13 10 8 6 14 18 12 6 9 12
    Alberta 17 19 30 16 13 21 20 17 11 17 10
    British Columbia 21 19 16 14 12 21 18 22 21 24 18
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Main-track derailment accidents per million main-track train miles3 0.84 1.07 1.23 0.93 0.78 1.04 1.05 1.12 0.93 1.03 0.90
    Main-track derailment accidents per billion gross ton miles4 0.14 0.17 0.18 0.14 0.11 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.12 0.13 n/a
    Main-track derailment accidents by number of derailed cars 67 84 100 74 58 81 87 93 70 76 68
    1 car 29 47 29 29 26 39 29 43 32 33 26
    2 cars 6 5 15 10 7 9 10 11 8 6 6
    3 cars 3 5 4 4 2 1 4 2 2 1 1
    4 cars 2 6 6 2 2 3 4 3 1 1 4
    5 to 10 cars 16 7 22 16 10 13 21 11 10 10 17
    11 cars or more 11 14 24 13 11 16 19 23 17 25 14

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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 13 March 2023.
    4. Source of billion gross ton miles: Rail Trends 2022, Railway Association of Canada.
    Table 5. Main-track derailment accidents, by assigned factors,1,2 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Assigned factors3,4 68 96 109 80 63 84 89 89 68 75 69
    Environmental 4 5 10 2 3 4 7 8 10 9 7
    Equipment 19 33 27 23 20 30 24 25 18 19 12
    Axle 6 8 4 6 6 10 2 6 3 6 1
    Brakes 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 7 4 1 2
    Draft system 4 2 5 5 1 4 7 2 2 4 0
    Superstructure 2 7 3 1 2 1 4 2 2 0 3
    Truck 2 5 6 2 1 5 0 1 0 4 3
    Wheel 2 8 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 4 3
    Track 28 30 49 33 18 32 24 37 21 32 15
    Geometry 14 10 11 8 8 14 11 10 9 9 4
    Object on track 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
    Other track material 2 0 7 2 1 3 2 3 1 2 0
    Rail 8 12 17 12 4 9 4 13 4 13 6
    Roadbed 4 4 5 7 2 4 4 6 5 6 1
    Switch 0 0 6 1 3 0 1 1 1 1 2
    Turnouts 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0
    Actions 15 26 18 14 18 17 27 17 17 13 32
    Failure to protect 5 5 4 2 4 5 10 9 6 4 14
    Failure to secure 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Failure to use equipment properly 2 10 6 5 9 8 13 6 8 5 14
    Improper loading/lifting 2 2 3 2 0 2 1 0 0 2 1
    Improper placement/position for task 2 6 3 1 4 2 2 1 3 1 2
    Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Operating at improper speed 2 2 2 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 1
    Vandalism 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Other actions 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
    Other assigned factors 2 2 5 8 4 1 7 2 2 2 3
    Main-track derailment accidents  67 84 100 74 58 81 87 93 70 76 68
    One factor assigned 66 74 94 70 53 76 81 85 66 73 61
    More than one factor assigned 1 10 6 4 4 4 3 2 1 1 4
    No factors assigned 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 6 3 2 3

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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 collision accidents, by province and territory and number of derailed cars,1 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Non-main-track collision accidents  101 93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67 62 63
    Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
    Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1
    New Brunswick 1 1 4 0 1 1 2 0 2 1 0
    Quebec 8 10 4 10 7 9 5 9 4 3 5
    Ontario 10 16 23 20 19 25 19 26 15 9 24
    Manitoba 21 14 18 15 10 14 8 15 11 8 7
    Saskatchewan 12 11 21 8 5 7 13 11 5 4 2
    Alberta 34 28 19 17 19 23 26 29 13 16 12
    British Columbia 15 13 17 21 8 23 27 22 16 21 12
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Non-main-track collision accidents by number of derailed cars 101 93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67 62 63
    No cars derailed 63 63 63 63 38 64 54 63 34 35 32
    1 car 14 18 19 21 14 16 27 27 16 11 13
    2 cars 10 7 13 1 7 11 6 11 4 6 9
    3 cars 6 2 4 3 4 5 4 6 6 3 2
    4 cars 5 0 3 2 2 3 2 0 2 2 1
    5 to 10 cars 3 3 3 2 3 4 7 3 5 4 6
    11 cars or more 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 0

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    1. Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
    Table 7. Non-main-track collision accidents, by assigned factors,1 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Assigned factors2,3 114 113 118 103 81 113 106 115 68 63 69
    Environmental 4 1 2 2 2 1 2 3 2 4 1
    Equipment 4 5 4 3 3 1 3 3 1 3 2
    Track 3 6 8 7 1 3 3 3 3 3 7
    Actions 100 95 102 88 70 102 94 102 58 50 59
    Failure to protect 63 54 61 59 43 66 59 66 39 29 37
    Failure to secure 16 13 11 4 5 7 9 7 7 8 6
    Failure to use equipment properly 10 14 16 14 11 19 18 21 7 7 7
    Improper placement/position for task 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
    Inadequate/inappropriate communications 2 3 2 3 3 1 1 2 2 3 0
    Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Operating at improper speed 8 8 12 7 8 9 7 4 3 1 8
    Vandalism 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
    Other actions 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
    Other assigned factors 3 6 2 3 5 6 4 4 4 3 0
    Non-main-track collision accidents 101 93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67 62 63
    One assigned factor  88 73 97 83 60 96 97 109 66 59 58
    More than one assigned factor  13 20 9 9 9 7 4 3 1 2 5
    No assigned factor  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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., Actions is the parent of Failure to protect); 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 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Non-main-track derailment accidents 530 549 481 523 435 541 599 606 492 400 440
    Newfoundland and Labrador 1 1 0 6 12 11 9 7 7 10 6
    Nova Scotia 4 2 4 3 2 5 6 3 8 6 7
    New Brunswick 8 4 12 13 9 9 5 12 7 6 10
    Quebec 75 55 48 81 67 85 60 111 70 60 79
    Ontario 95 93 93 109 85 115 119 136 93 89 84
    Manitoba 68 70 68 71 58 70 65 68 59 44 53
    Saskatchewan 68 87 50 49 55 49 83 55 47 42 60
    Alberta 144 145 125 91 68 93 131 115 101 71 75
    British Columbia 67 91 80 100 79 103 121 99 100 72 65
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
    Non-main-track derailment accidents by number of derailed cars 530 549 481 523 435 541 599 606 492 400 440
    1 car 301 334 260 319 265 333 383 403 323 250 263
    2 cars 123 102 97 91 81 91 93 89 83 77 97
    3 cars 39 48 49 53 31 46 54 39 36 30 34
    4 cars 22 25 23 26 22 25 28 32 19 18 16
    5 to 10 cars 40 37 46 29 31 43 35 32 29 24 27
    11 cars or more 5 3 6 5 5 3 6 11 2 1 3

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Assigned factors3,4 563 622 517 560 465 572 610 610 496 399 449
    Environmental 29 82 30 36 40 59 77 131 63 53 79
    Equipment 51 39 41 31 31 34 31 23 29 25 26
    Axle 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
    Brakes 6 7 9 7 4 6 11 1 6 5 3
    Draft system 10 5 8 3 5 5 5 5 5 7 4
    Superstructure 8 7 7 5 4 8 10 6 6 2 3
    Truck 17 14 11 8 11 12 5 6 8 7 12
    Wheel 8 6 6 8 7 3 0 4 4 4 4
    Track 207 205 202 194 164 162 190 165 143 115 116
    Appurtenances 4 1 2 1 1 3 3 2 0 1 1
    Geometry 80 73 77 61 72 67 78 76 63 56 63
    Object on track 3 2 0 2 1 1 3 3 2 1 0
    Other track material 6 5 3 5 6 6 7 2 1 4 4
    Rail 30 38 30 30 19 38 24 24 18 14 16
    Roadbed 13 10 8 9 4 6 6 6 4 4 3
    Signals 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Switch 54 58 59 64 50 30 52 40 41 30 23
    Turnouts 12 12 19 16 4 8 12 11 11 3 3
    Actions 255 269 226 276 216 301 307 280 255 197 223
    Failure to protect 140 140 130 158 109 163 209 176 148 111 128
    Failure to secure 11 6 5 2 1 9 10 14 5 7 9
    Failure to use equipment properly 77 84 67 72 81 98 66 72 68 60 73
    Improper loading/lifting 4 7 3 8 1 7 2 6 7 2 2
    Improper placement/position for task 11 8 7 7 6 11 4 6 10 7 3
    Inadequate/inappropriate communications 2 3 1 4 1 2 4 0 3 2 2
    Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Operating at improper speed 3 10 13 16 8 8 6 3 9 7 4
    Vandalism 3 5 0 5 6 3 5 0 4 1 2
    Other actions 4 5 0 1 3 0 1 3 1 0 0
    Other assigned factors 21 27 18 23 14 16 5 11 6 9 5
    Non-main-track derailment accidents 530 549 481 523 435 541 599 606 492 400 440
    One assigned factor  497 479 450 498 414 517 584 602 486 393 428
    More than one assigned factor  33 70 31 25 21 24 12 4 5 3 10
    No assigned factor  0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 4 2

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Crossing accidents 192 184 185 165 133 143 167 178 130 136 160
    Public crossings 170 172 154 131 105 117 136 135 110 114 132
    Passive warnings 73 65 68 52 36 47 50 49 56 56 55
    Automated warnings 97 107 86 79 69 70 86 86 54 58 77
    Flashing lights and bells 48 56 47 37 39 30 44 43 17 24 27
    Gates 49 44 38 42 29 38 41 42 36 34 50
    Other automated warnings 0 7 1 0 1 2 1 1 1 0 0
    Private crossings 18 10 27 28 24 21 30 40 18 22 25
    Farm crossings 4 2 4 6 4 5 1 3 2 0 3
    Fatal accidents 28 22 20 15 16 19 18 26 16 16 14
    Persons fatally injured 33 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18 17 14
    Public crossings 32 30 20 13 19 19 18 25 18 17 14
    Passive warnings 14 3 2 2 7 4 2 6 12 5 2
    Automated warnings 18 27 18 11 12 15 16 19 6 12 12
    Flashing lights and bells 7 7 3 2 5 3 4 5 1 5 2
    Gates 11 20 15 9 7 12 12 14 5 7 10
    Other automated warnings 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Private crossings 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
    Farm crossings 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
    Persons seriously injured 32 27 29 18 24 22 42 31 12 24 27
    Public crossings 29 26 22 18 21 18 37 25 11 23 26
    Passive warnings 15 7 11 4 5 9 17 6 3 11 6
    Automated warnings 14 19 11 14 16 9 20 19 8 12 20
    Flashing lights and bells 6 4 6 4 8 3 6 9 2 6 6
    Gates 8 13 5 10 8 6 14 10 6 6 14
    Other automated warnings 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Private crossings 3 0 7 0 3 3 5 6 1 1 1
    Farm crossings 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
    Number of public crossings2 16229 16113 15950 15724 15656 16524 16447 16497 16366 15434 14124
    Passive warnings 10628 10548 10397 10173 10109 10833 10671 10608 10506 9561 8210
    Automated warnings 5601 5565 5553 5551 5547 5691 5776 5889 5860 5873 5914
    Flashing lights and bells 3288 3235 3189 3156 3118 3268 3267 3277 3208 3163 3136
    Gates 2254 2275 2317 2351 2386 2399 2484 2585 2627 2685 2760
    Other automated warnings 59 55 47 44 43 24 25 27 25 25 18

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    1. Data are for federally regulated railways, and include only those occurrences that are reportable under the TSB Regulations.
    2. Source: Transport Canada Rail Safety Integrated Gateway (RSIG) database. The data for 2022 are from 13 March 2023. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.
    Table 11. Crossing accidents and casualties, by province and territory,1 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Crossing accidents 192 184 185 165 133 143 167 178 130 136 160
    Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Nova Scotia 1 0 0 2 1 3 3 2 4 0 2
    New Brunswick  3 2 6 7 4 1 3 2 1 2 3
    Quebec  18 16 23 28 29 26 24 25 20 14 18
    Ontario 41 40 44 29 26 26 43 50 20 27 37
    Manitoba  26 19 17 19 14 15 15 20 22 16 13
    Saskatchewan  32 37 34 23 19 26 22 24 13 24 29
    Alberta  49 50 40 38 21 28 35 35 31 31 32
    British Columbia  22 19 21 19 19 18 22 20 19 21 26
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
    Crossing accidents on main track2 184 178 173 159 122 137 156 166 124 127 148
    Crossing accidents per million main-track train miles3 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.0 1.6 1.8 1.9 2.0 1.7 1.7 2.0
    Crossing accidents with derailment 3 6 9 6 6 5 7 1 3 2 4
    Persons fatally injured 33 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18 17 14
    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 0
    New Brunswick 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Quebec 1 2 9 4 3 7 3 2 3 3 0
    Ontario 12 13 5 5 3 7 7 11 2 7 4
    Manitoba 3 0 1 1 2 2 0 5 5 1 0
    Saskatchewan 8 3 2 0 4 0 1 4 1 0 5
    Alberta 6 7 2 3 3 2 3 2 5 6 0
    British Columbia 2 4 2 2 2 1 5 4 2 0 5
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Persons seriously injured 32 27 29 18 24 22 42 31 12 24 27
    Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
    New Brunswick 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Quebec 1 1 3 2 8 3 10 1 2 1 2
    Ontario 8 15 3 0 4 2 8 7 1 7 4
    Manitoba 7 0 7 2 3 3 8 0 2 3 4
    Saskatchewan 6 5 7 2 2 2 9 7 1 1 6
    Alberta 7 5 5 6 6 5 2 9 3 8 8
    British Columbia 3 1 4 6 1 7 5 5 2 4 3
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Number of public crossings4 16229 16113 15950 15724 15656 16524 16447 16497 16366 15434 14124
    Newfoundland and Labrador 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 6 6
    Nova Scotia 180 182 182 182 182 181 181 183 168 103 103
    New Brunswick 340 342 343 344 344 471 472 432 432 274 274
    Quebec 1968 1967 1921 1902 1902 1694 1693 1786 1788 1664 1417
    Ontario 3884 3792 3782 3743 3728 4126 4131 4158 4074 3797 3048
    Manitoba 1939 1929 1914 1862 1858 2046 2006 1987 1983 1970 1925
    Saskatchewan 3656 3652 3597 3509 3504 3607 3573 3546 3526 3518 3473
    Alberta 2777 2767 2731 2724 2707 2881 2894 2883 2895 2852 2644
    British Columbia 1454 1451 1449 1432 1404 1498 1476 1502 1480 1220 1204
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 26 26 26 21 22 16 16 15 15 30 30

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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 13 March 2023.
    4. Source: Transport Canada RSIG database. The data for 2022 are from 13 March 2023. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.
    Table 12. Trespasser accidents and casualties, by province and territory,1 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Trespasser accidents 71 56 54 50 68 77 68 56 60 63 73
    Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
    Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 2
    New Brunswick 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0
    Quebec 11 7 6 5 3 12 12 6 8 6 11
    Ontario 31 30 21 23 25 34 30 21 21 35 34
    Manitoba 2 2 2 1 4 4 3 2 3 1 3
    Saskatchewan 6 2 2 4 3 1 1 4 1 2 0
    Alberta 9 7 10 4 10 8 10 14 12 6 9
    British Columbia 11 8 13 12 21 17 12 8 12 11 13
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Fatal accidents 43 42 31 30 46 52 34 38 40 41 52
    Persons fatally injured 44 42 32 30 47 53 34 38 40 41 52
    Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0
    New Brunswick 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Quebec 8 4 2 5 2 9 7 4 8 4 8
    Ontario 18 26 15 13 19 26 14 16 14 28 30
    Manitoba 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2
    Saskatchewan 4 2 1 1 2 1 0 4 1 1 0
    Alberta 6 4 5 3 5 5 4 9 10 2 8
    British Columbia 5 4 8 6 15 10 7 3 6 5 4
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Persons seriously injured 22 10 21 17 20 22 30 17 20 17 16
    Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
    Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1
    New Brunswick 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0
    Quebec 2 3 4 0 1 3 5 2 0 1 2
    Ontario 13 3 6 8 6 8 13 5 7 6 3
    Manitoba 0 0 1 0 2 2 1 0 2 0 1
    Saskatchewan 0 0 0 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
    Alberta 2 1 4 1 4 2 6 4 2 2 1
    British Columbia 5 3 6 4 5 7 4 5 6 7 7
    Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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 2012 to 2022
      2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
    Reportable incidents 238 225 413 374 302 236 287 285 275 337 381
    Main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage) n/a n/a 2 3 5 3 4 3 1 2 1
    Non-main-track train collisions2 (no derailment, no damage) n/a n/a 8 4 4 2 2 0 1 2 4
    Non-main-track train derailments, 1 or 2 cars2 (no damage) n/a n/a 166 125 97 67 96 58 32 39 121
    Dangerous goods leaker3 93 94 63 33 7 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
    Main-track switch in abnormal position 5 7 6 12 7 12 7 15 3 13 8
    Movement exceeds limits of authority 120 98 129 142 133 122 138 136 149 109 134
    Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock 13 14 11 14 10 14 15 16 19 13 9
    Signal less restrictive than required 1 1 2 5 1 1 2 0 1 0 6
    Unprotected overlap of authorities 5 4 5 6 4 2 11 6 5 4 2
    Crew member incapacitated  1 6 1 2 1 4 5 0 1 0 0
    Derailment involving track unit (no damage) n/a n/a 7 10 13 5 5 7 9 4 4
    Rolling stock collision with abandoned vehicle (no derailment, no damage) n/a n/a 1 5 5 0 1 0 1 1 0
    Rolling stock collision with object (no derailment, no damage) n/a n/a 6 10 14 3 0 1 2 6 5
    Fires on railway right-of-way 0 1 6 2 1 1 1 42 46 143 87
    Assigned factors4,5 245 230 430 394 325 246 292 290 278 337 394
    Dangerous goods leaker location/component 92 92 61 32 9 0 0 0 0 0 0
    Equipment 2 5 17 10 11 10 8 48 49 113 35
    Individual/personal 1 4 1 3 0 3 4 0 0 0 2
    Track 2 2 25 36 29 7 13 7 13 16 28
    Actions 139 116 250 264 241 191 209 185 176 154 213
    Failure to protect 38 33 95 94 88 73 90 66 46 65 98
    Failure to secure 4 7 5 11 4 9 2 7 8 5 6
    Failure to use equipment properly 1 9 29 25 34 20 20 9 15 11 20
    Inadequate/inappropriate communication 14 8 18 13 14 8 14 12 15 4 4
    Lap of authority 75 54 83 98 82 74 72 87 88 61 75
    Vandalism 5 1 5 6 6 1 3 2 1 3 2
    Other actions 2 4 15 17 13 6 8 2 3 5 8
    Other assigned factors 9 11 76 49 35 35 58 50 40 54 116
    Reportable incidents 238 225 413 374 302 236 287 285 275 337 381
    One factor assigned 230 221 397 360 280 226 281 280 271 337 368
    More than one factor assigned 7 4 16 14 21 9 5 5 3 0 11
    No factor assigned 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 2

    Data extracted 27 February 2023

    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. 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., Actions is the parent of Failure to protect); 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, as well as the TSB Policy on Occurrence Classification, and apply to the rail transportation occurrences reported pursuant to them.

    Occurrence

    • Any accident or incident associated with the operation of rolling stock on a railway
    • Any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an accident or incident described below

    Reportable accident

    • A person is killed or sustains a serious injury as a result of
      • getting on or off or being on board the rolling stock, or
      • coming into direct contact with any part of the rolling stock or its contents
    • The rolling stock or its contents
      • are involved in a collision and/or a derailment resulting in damages to rolling stock and/or track infrastructure,
      • sustain damage that affects the safe operation of the rolling stock,
      • sustain a fire or explosion, or
      • cause damage to the railway that poses a threat to the safe passage of rolling stock or to the safety of any person, property or the environment
    • There is an accidental release on board or from rolling stock that results in any of the events listed in subsection 8.4(2) of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

    Reportable incident

    • A risk of collision occurs between rolling stock
    • An unprotected main-track switch or subdivision track switch is left in an abnormal position
    • A railway signal displays a less restrictive indication than that required for the intended movement of rolling stock
    • Rolling stock occupies a main track or subdivision track, or track work takes place, in contravention of the rules or any regulations made under the Railway Safety Act
    • Rolling stock passes a signal indicating stop in contravention of the rules or any regulations made under the Railway Safety Act
    • There is an unplanned and uncontrolled movement of rolling stock
    • A crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe operation of the rolling stock is unable to perform their duties as a result of a physical incapacitation which poses a threat to the safety of persons, property or the environment,
    • The rolling stock is involved in a minor collision and/or minor derailment (1 or 2 cars) resulting in no damages; or
    • Rolling stock or its contents cause a fire along, or adjacent to, a railway right-of-way.

    Serious injury

    • A fracture of any bone, except simple fractures of fingers, toes or the nose
    • Lacerations that cause severe hemorrhage or nerve, muscle or tendon damage
    • An injury to an internal organ
    • Second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more than 5% of the body surface
    • A verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious radiation, or
    • An injury that is likely to require hospitalization

    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.

    Footnotes

    Footnote 1

    See the Definitions section.

    Return to footnote 1 referrer

    Footnote 2

    The TSB has reviewed reported occurrences since January 2012 and recategorized fire occurrences into fires on-board rolling stock as reportable accidents and fires on railway right-of-way as reportable incidents.

    Return to footnote 2 referrer

    Footnote 3

    See the Definitions section.

    Return to footnote 3 referrer

    Footnote 4

    “Derailment” means any instance where one or more wheels of rolling stock have come off the normal running surface of the rail.

    Return to footnote 4 referrer

    Footnote 5

    Accidents involving dangerous goods can also include road vehicles carrying dangerous goods.

    Return to footnote 5 referrer

    Footnote 6

    Trespasser accidents involve persons, primarily pedestrians, who are struck by rolling stock while they are on railway rights-of-way (other than railway crossings) that they are not authorized to occupy, resulting in death, serious injury or property damage.

    Return to footnote 6 referrer

    Footnote 7

    See the Definitions section.

    Return to footnote 7 referrer

    Footnote 8

    A crossing accident occurs when railway rolling stock is involved in a grade-crossing collision with a motor vehicle or with a pedestrian, resulting in death, serious injury or property damage.

    Return to footnote 8 referrer

    Footnote 9

    Accidents that occur on the main track or spurs (not including crossing accidents, trespasser accidents, and non-main-track collisions and derailments) are combined in order to match the figures used in the activity data, which is the total of main-track and spur (i.e., non-yard) million train miles.

    Return to footnote 9 referrer

    Footnote 10

    Transport Canada, Rail Safety Directorate (email dated 13 March 2023).

    Return to footnote 10 referrer

    Footnote 11

    Occurrences are normally reported to TSB with one assigned factor. Since multiple factors can contribute to an occurrence, the TSB may assign additional factors to an occurrence. Note that, when multiple factors are assigned to an accident, they are considered to have acted in combination to contribute to the occurrence.

    Return to footnote 11 referrer

    Footnote 12

    Actions-related factors include, but are not limited to, departure from prescribed procedures, such as failure to protect or failure to secure.

    Return to footnote 12 referrer

    Footnote 13

    The amended TSB Regulations came into effect on 1 July 2014 requiring that all derailments be reported, including minor derailments where there were no injuries and no damage to track or equipment.

    Return to footnote 13 referrer

    Footnote 14

    See the Definitions section.

    Return to footnote 14 referrer

    Footnote 15

    A movement exceeds limits of authority incident occurs when rolling stock occupies a main track or subdivision track, or track work takes place, in contravention of the rules or any regulations made under the Railway Safety Act.

    Return to footnote 15 referrer