Rail transportation occurrences in 2023

Executive summary

The TSB received 1235 reports of rail transportation occurrences in 2023 (914 accidents and 321 incidents), including 67 fatalities.

The 914 accidents represent a 9% decrease from 2022 and a 12% decrease from the 10-year average of 1039.

The 67 rail transportation-related fatalities reported in 2023 are up compared to 65 in 2022 but below the 10‑year average of 68. Among the fatalities, 53 involved trespassers, compared to 51 in 2022 and the 10‑year average of 41.

The number of crossing accident fatalities decreased in 2023 (13) compared to 2022 (14) and is lower than the 10-year average of 20.

Among all rail transportation accidents, 87 involved dangerous goods. This is down from 110 accidents in 2022 and is lower than the 10-year average of 120. Six accidents in 2023 resulted in dangerous goods being released.

There were 321 rail transportation incidents reported to the TSB in 2023, a 14% decrease from 2022 (374). Incidents involving movements that exceeded limits of authority accounted for 50% (161) of all rail transportation incidents in 2023 – 27 more than in 2022 and above the 10-year average of 129.

According to Transport Canada data, 2023 main-track (non-yard) rail activity increased by 4% from 2022. The main-track accident rate in 2023 was 2.5 accidents per million main-track train-miles, down from 3.0 in 2022 and below the 10-year average of 2.6.

Rail transportation occurrences in 2023

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

This 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 2023 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 as of 15 February 2024. 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 2023, 914 rail accidentsFootnote 2 were reported to the TSB (Figure 1 and Table 1), down from the 2022 total of 1008, and 12% below the previous 10-year (2013 to 2022) average of 1039.

Figure 1. Rail accidents, 2013 to 2023
Image
Rail accidents, 2013 to 2023
Figure 1. Data table
Rail accidents, 2013 to 2023
Year Accidents
2013 1094
2014 1042
2015 1042
2016 896
2017 1086
2018 1166
2019 1214
2020 942
2021 897
2022 1008
2023 914

Freight trains accounted for 35% of all rolling stock involved in rail accidents in 2023. Four percent (36 in total) were passenger trains, with the remaining 61% 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 3 (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, 2023*
Image
Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2022*
Figure 2. Data table
Percentage of rail accidents by type, 2023*
Type of accident Accidents
Main-track collisions 9 (1%)
Main-track derailments 55 (7%)
Crossing accidents 149 (16%)
Trespasser accidents 80 (7%)
Non-main-track collisions 63 (6%)
Non-main-track derailments 404 (44%)
Other 154 (19%)

* 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.

* 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 2023 (6%) was approximately the same as both the previous year and the 10-year average.

In 2023, 16% of rail accidents involved vehicles or pedestrians at rail crossings, comparable to the 15% average of the previous 10 years.

In 2023, 87 accidents involved dangerous goods (Table 1),Footnote 4 down from 110 in 2022 and below the 10-year average of 120. Six accidents resulted in a dangerous goods release in 2023, up from 2 in the previous year, and above the 10-year average of 4.

Rail fatalities (Figure 3 and Table 1) totalled 67 in 2023, up from 65 last year but below the 10-year average of 68. Crossing fatalities totalled 13 in 2023, down from 14 in 2022 and below the 10-year average of 20. TrespasserFootnote 5 fatalities totalled 53 in 2023, up from 51 in the previous year and above the 10‑year average of 41. In 2023, 1 railway employee was fatally injured, below the 10-year average of 2 employee fatalities per year (Table 2).

Figure 3. Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2013 to 2023
Image
Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2013 to 2023
Figure 3. Data table
Rail fatalities, by type of occurrence, 2013 to 2023
Year Crossing accidents Trespasser accidents All others
2013 30 42 52
2014 21 32 3
2015 15 30 1
2016 19 47 0
2017 19 52 4
2018 19 34 4
2019 28 38 6
2020 18 40 2
2021 17 41 2
2022 14 51 0
2023 13 53 1

A total of 45 serious injuriesFootnote 6 resulted from rail occurrences in 2023 (Figure 4 and Table 1), down from 58 in 2022 and below the 10-year average of 57. Crossing accidentsFootnote 7 resulted in 19 serious injuries, down from 28 in 2022 and below the 10-year average of 26. Serious injuries to trespassers totalled 20 in 2023, up from 16 last year and above the 10-year average of 19. Three railway employees were seriously injured in 2023, down from 10 in 2022 and below the 10-year average of 11 (Table 2).

Figure 4. Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2013 to 2023
Image
Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2013 to 2023
Figure 4. Data table
Rail serious injuries, by type of occurrence, 2013 to 2023
Year Crossing accidents Trespasser accidents All others
2013 27 10 2
2014 29 21 3
2015 18 17 15
2016 24 20 12
2017 22 22 21
2018 41 30 19
2019 31 17 17
2020 12 20 8
2021 24 17 11
2022 28 16 14
2023 19 20 6

The number of main-track accidentsFootnote 8 totalled 199 in 2023 (Figure 5 and Table 1), down from 224 in 2022 but the same as the 10-year average of 199. Rail activityFootnote 9 on main track (i.e., non-yard activity) increased by 4% from the previous year. The main-track accident rate in 2023 was 2.5 accidents per million main-track train miles, down from 3.0 in 2022 and below the 10-year average of 2.6.

Figure 5. Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2013 to 2023
Image
Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2013 to 2023
Figure 5. Data table
Main-track accidents and accident rates, 2013 to 2023
Year Main-track accidents Main-track accidents per million main-track train miles Sen's estimate of slope (1)
2013 184 2.344528 1
2014 192 2.509017 1
2015 197 2.4764 1
2016 172 2.301383 1
2017 194 2.4872 1
2018 212 2.565316 1
2019 236 2.834716 1
2020 163 2.175428 1
2021 212 2.860207 1
2022 224 2.97239 1
2023 199 2.527658 1

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 the environment (e.g., when passenger trains are involved or dangerous goods are released from trains that derail in populated areas).

There were 9 main-track collisions (Table 1 and Figure 6) in 2023, up from the 2022 total of 8 and also above the 10-year average of 5. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track collisions in 2023. There was no release of dangerous goods as a result of main-track collisions in 2023.

A total of 55 main-track derailments (Table 4) were reported in 2023, a decrease from the 2022 total of 68, and 30% below the 10-year average of 79 (Figure 6). Thirty-one percent of the 55 main-track derailments occurred in British Columbia, 16% occurred in each of Ontario and Saskatchewan, and 15% occurred in Alberta.

The number of main-track derailments per million main-track (i.e., non-yard) train miles (Table 4) decreased to 0.70 in 2023 from 0.90 the previous year and was below the 10-year average of 1.02.

Figure 6. Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2013 to 2023
Image
Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2013 to 2023
Figure 6. Data table
Main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2013 to 2023
Year Main-track collisions Main-track derailments
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
2023 9 55

No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from main-track derailments in 2023 (Table 2). Ten main-track derailments involved dangerous goods, down from the 2022 total of 11 and below the 10-year average of 14 (Table 1). Two of these derailments resulted in the release of dangerous goods (gasoline, asphalt) (data not presented).

In 2023, 24% of assigned factorsFootnote 10 for main-track derailments (Table 5) were equipment-related, down from the 10-year average of 28%. Actions-related factorsFootnote 11 accounted for 24% of assigned factors in 2023, unchanged from the 10-year average. Track-related factors were reported in 43% of main-track derailments in 2023, above the 10-year average of 36%.

Non-main-track collisions (Table 6 and Figure 7) totalled 63 in 2023, down from the 2022 total of 66, and below the 10-year average of 87. Derailments occurred in 29 non-main-track collisions (46%), and 15 of those collisions involved the derailment of a single car.

Non-main-track collisions resulted in no fatalities and 1 serious injury in 2023 (Table 2). Dangerous goods were involved in 33% of non-main-track collisions, 1 of which resulted in a release of product (ammonium nitrate) (data not presented).

Factors assigned to non-main-track collisions were mostly actions-related (85%), comparable to the 10-year average of 86% (Table 7). Failure to protect, such as improper positioning of movements and handling of switches, was assigned most often (59%) as a factor.

Figure 7. Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2013 to 2023
Image
Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2013 to 2023
Figure 7. Data table
Non-main-track collision and derailment accidents, 2013 to 2023
Year Non-main-track collisions Non-main-track derailments
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 66 450
2023 63 404

There were 404 non-main-track derailmentsFootnote 12 in 2023 (Table 8 and Figure 7), down from 450 last year and 20% below the 10-year average of 508. In 79% of these accidents in 2023, 1 or 2 cars derailed. No fatalities or serious injuries resulted from non-main-track derailments in 2023 (Table 2).

Dangerous goods cars were involved in 12% of non-main-track derailments, with 1 resulting in a release of product (diesel fuel) (data not presented).

In 2023, actions-related factors represented 54% of all assigned factors for non-main-track derailments, above the 10-year average of 48% (Table 9). Track-related factors represented 25% of all assigned factors, below the 10-year average of 31%. Environmental-related factors represented 11% of all assigned factors in 2023, below the 10-year average of 12%.

Crossing accidents (Tables 10 and 11) represented one of the more serious types of rail accidents in 2023, with 19% of these resulting in serious or fatal injuries (data not presented).

There were 149 crossing accidents in 2023, a 7% decrease from the 2022 total of 161 and below the 10-year average of 158. The number of accidents at public automated crossings (76) was down from the 2022 total of 78, and below the 10-year average of 77. The number of accidents at public passive crossings (38) was down 31% from the 2022 total of 55 and below the 10-year average of 53. Accidents at private and farm crossings (35) increased from the 2022 total of 28 and were above to the 10-year average of 28 (Table 10).

In 2023, 51% of crossing accidents occurred at public automated crossings, and 26% at public passive crossings (Table 10 and 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, 2023
Image
Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2023
Figure 8. Data table
Percentage of crossing accidents by type of crossing, 2023
Type of crossing Accidents
Public passive 38 (26%)
Public automated 76 (51%)
Private 33 (22%)
Farm 2 (1%)

There were 13 fatal crossing accidents in 2023, down from 14 reported in 2022 and below the 10-year average of 18. Crossing-related fatalities totalled 13 in 2023, down from 14 reported in 2022 and below the 10-year average of 20 (Table 10).

Crossing accidents involving pedestrians accounted for 9% (13) of all crossing accidents in 2023, but accounted for 38% (5) of fatal crossing accidents and 38% of crossing-related fatalities (data not presented).

Crossing-related serious injuries totalled 19 in 2023, down from the 2022 total of 28 and below the 10‑year average of 26 (Table 11).

In 2023, 6 crossing accidents resulted in a train derailment, up from 4 in 2022 and above the 10-year average (5) (Table 11).

Two crossing accidents resulted in the release of dangerous goods (diesel fuel) in 2023 (data not presented).

Ontario and Alberta had the highest proportions (19% each) of all crossing accidents in 2023. British Columbia had the third highest total with 18% of crossing accidents, followed by Manitoba and Quebec with 14%, and Saskatchewan with 13% (Table 11 and Figure 9).

Figure 9. Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2023
Image
Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2023
Figure 9. Data table
Crossing accidents by province/territory, 2023
Province or territory 2013 to 2022 average
BC 20.4 27
AB 34.2 29
SK 25.1 20
MB 17 21
ON 34.1 28
QC 22.3 21
NB 3.1 2
NS 1.7 1
NL 0 0
NT, YT 0.2 0

Trespasser accidents (Table 12 and Figure 10) totalled 80 in 2023, up from 72 in 2022 and above the 10‑year average of 62. Ontario accounted for 44% of trespasser accidents, followed by British Columbia with 21%, Quebec and Alberta with 11% each, and Manitoba with 8%.

Figure 10. Trespasser accidents by province/territory, 2023
Image
Trespasser accidents by province/territory, 2023
Figure 10. Data table
Trespasser accidents by province/territory, 2023
Province or territory 2013 to 2022 average
BC 12.7 17
AB 9 9
SK 2 4
MB 2.5 6
ON 27.2 35
QC 7.6 9
NB 0.5 0
NS 0.7 0
NL 0.1 0
NT, YT 0 0

In 2023, the proportion of trespasser accidents that were fatal (66%) was similar to the 10-year average of 65%. The proportion of trespasser accidents resulting in serious injuries (25%) was below the 10-year average of 30%.

Incidents

Overview of incidents

In 2023, there were 321 reported rail incidentsFootnote 13 (Figure 11 and Table 1), down from 374 in 2022.

Figure 11. Rail incidents,* 2013 to 2023
Image
Rail incidents,* 2013 to 2023
Figure 11. Data table
Rail incidents,* 2013 to 2023
Year Incidents
2013 225
2014 413
2015 374
2016 302
2017 236
2018 287
2019 284
2020 275
2021 338
2022 374
2023 321

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

*  The amended TSB Regulations came into effect on 01 July 2014.

The movement exceeds limits of authorityFootnote 14 incident type accounted for 50% of reportable incidents in 2023 (Table 13), followed by non-main-track train derailments involving 1 or 2 cars (with no damage) at 21%, and fires on railway right-of-way (17%).

In 2023, there were 9 uncontrolled movement of rolling stock incidents, as well as 1 derailment incident that involved an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock. In addition, 27 accidents involved an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock (Table 1), for a total of 37 occurrences (3 of which involved vandalism). This is down from the total of these occurrences in 2022 (51, two of which involved vandalism).

There were 161 movement exceeds limits of authority incidents in 2023, an increase from 134 reported in 2022 and 25% above the 10-year average of 129 (Table 1).

Data tables

Table 1. Rail transportation occurrences, by accident/incident type and casualtiesFootnote 1, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Accidents 1094 1042 1042 896 1086 1166 1214 942 897 1008 914
Main-track collisions 4 9 4 5 3 5 4 7 3 8 9
Main-track derailments, 1 or 2 carsFootnote 2 52 44 39 33 48 39 54 40 39 32 28
Main-track derailments, 3 to 5 cars 13 15 8 8 5 11 6 3 3 8 9
Main-track derailments, 6 or more cars 19 41 27 17 28 37 33 27 34 28 18
Crossing accidents 184 185 165 133 143 166 178 130 136 161 149
Non-main-track collisions  93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67 62 66 63
Non-main-track derailments, 1 or 2 carsFootnote 2 436 357 410 346 424 476 492 406 327 371 320
Non-main-track derailments, 3 to 5 cars 88 90 87 62 82 100 87 65 58 56 62
Non-main-track derailments, 6 or more cars  25 34 26 27 35 23 27 21 15 23 22
Collisions/derailments involving track units 41 27 43 23 45 48 50 39 50 65 50
Employee/passenger accidents 8 13 15 16 17 13 15 9 11 10 4
Trespasser accidents 56 54 50 68 76 68 56 60 63 72 80
Fires/explosions on board rolling stock 10 30 30 34 32 33 58 33 45 46 42
Other accident types 65 37 46 55 45 46 42 35 51 62 58
Reportable incidents 225 413 374 302 236 287 284 275 338 374 321
Main-track derailments, 1 or 2 carsFootnote 2 (no damage) n/a 2 3 5 3 4 3 1 2 1 0
Non-main-track collisions (no derailment, no damage) n/a 8 4 4 2 2 0 1 2 4 3
Non-main-track derailments, 1 or 2 carsFootnote 2 (no damage) n/a 166 125 97 67 96 58 32 39 111 66
Fires on railway right-of-way 1 6 2 1 1 1 42 46 145 88 56
Main-track switch in abnormal position 7 6 12 7 12 7 15 3 13 8 8
Movement exceeds limits of authority 98 129 142 133 122 138 136 149 109 134 161
Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock 14 11 14 10 14 15 15 19 13 9 9
Other reportable incidents 105 85 72 45 15 24 15 24 15 19 18
Main-track accidentsFootnote 3 184 192 197 172 194 212 236 163 212 224 199
Million main-track train milesFootnote 4 78.5 76.5 79.6 74.7 78.0 82.6 83.3 74.9 74.1 75.4 78.7
Main-track accidents per million main-track train miles 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.8 2.2 2.9 3.0 2.5
Accidents involving dangerous goods 143 143 127 101 116 125 171 82 86 110 87
Main-track derailments 11 25 12 10 10 17 19 7 16 11 10
Crossing accidents 5 5 4 4 6 7 7 3 2 5 4
Non-main-track collisions 26 36 32 19 39 33 44 13 19 30 21
Non-main-track derailments 96 68 75 60 55 62 95 56 45 60 47
Other accident types 5 9 4 8 6 6 6 3 4 4 5
Accidents with a dangerous goods release 7 4 6 1 5 4 8 3 2 2 6
Accidents involving an uncontrolled movement of rolling stock 57 43 41 33 48 47 61 28 33 37 27
Persons fatally injured in reportable occurrences 124 56 46 66 75 57 72 60 60 65 67
Crossing accidents 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18 17 14 13
Trespasser accidents 42 32 30 47 52 34 38 40 41 51 53
Other occurrence typesFootnote 5 52 3 1 0 4 4 6 2 2 0 1
Persons seriously injured in reportable occurrences 39 53 50 56 65 90 65 40 52 58 45
Crossing accidents 27 29 18 24 22 41 31 12 24 28 19
Trespasser accidents 10 21 17 20 22 30 17 20 17 16 20
Other occurrence typesFootnote 5 2 3 15 12 21 19 17 8 11 14 6

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 1 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 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 or 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.

Return to first footnote 2 referrer

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

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

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Main-track (i.e., non-yard) train miles are estimated (Source: Transport Canada email communication 18 March 2024).

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 5

See Table 2 for details on occurrences by type.

Return to first footnote 5 referrer

Return to footnote 5 referrer

Table 2. Casualties, by accident/incident type and category of personFootnote 1, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Persons fatally injured in reportable occurrences 124 56 46 66 75 57 72 60 60 65 67
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments 47 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0
Crossing accidents  30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18 17 14 13
Non-main-track collisions 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Non-main-track derailments 0 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 4 2 1 0 3 1 2 2 2 0 1
Trespasser accidents 42 32 30 47 52 34 38 40 41 51 53
Other accident types 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Reportable incidents 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Persons seriously injured in reportable occurrences 39 53 50 56 65 90 65 40 52 58 45
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0
Crossing accidents  27 29 18 24 22 41 31 12 24 28 19
Non-main-track collisions 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 1
Non-main-track derailments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Collisions/derailments involving track units 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 1 1 1 0
Employee/passenger accidents 1 2 11 8 16 12 11 6 8 10 3
Trespasser accidents 10 21 17 20 22 30 17 20 17 16 20
Other accident types 0 0 2 1 3 0 1 0 2 2 2
Reportable incidents 1 1 2 0 0 4 0 1 0 0 0
Persons fatally injured 124 56 46 66 75 57 72 60 60 65 67
Employees 5 2 1 0 3 4 5 2 1 0 1
Passengers 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Pedestrians 13 8 3 7 8 9 13 7 5 5 5
Vehicle occupants 17 12 11 12 11 10 16 14 10 9 8
Trespassers 42 32 31 47 52 34 38 36 43 51 53
Other categories of persons 47 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Persons seriously injured 39 53 50 56 65 90 65 40 52 58 45
Employees 2 7 8 15 19 17 16 8 7 10 3
Passengers 1 1 8 2 3 3 1 0 2 2 1
Pedestrians 3 1 2 0 2 8 6 3 8 6 6
Vehicle occupants 23 21 16 18 18 32 25 9 20 24 14
Trespassers 10 23 16 21 23 30 17 20 15 16 21
Other categories of persons 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 2 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Table 3. Trains and other rolling stock involved in accidents, by accident typeFootnote 1,Footnote 2,Footnote 3, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Freight trains 833 542 412 338 402 389 418 328 328 340 349
Main-track collisions 7 8 6 6 6 5 4 8 6 13 12
Main-track derailments 79 90 66 48 75 75 78 64 66 57 46
Non-main-track collisions 85 42 27 11 28 20 26 15 12 7 8
Non-main-track derailments 423 187 108 88 95 96 78 56 36 31 52
Crossing accidents 144 139 117 86 94 106 117 94 90 117 105
Trespasser accidents 38 39 36 48 51 40 42 49 51 51 61
Other accident types 57 37 52 51 53 47 73 42 67 64 65
Passenger trains 46 50 46 56 54 67 47 40 42 53 36
Main-track collisions 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1
Main-track derailments 3 3 2 4 2 2 2 1 3 0 0
Non-main-track collisions 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 0
Non-main-track derailments 4 1 2 1 4 6 3 13 3 2 1
Crossing accidents 17 18 16 11 13 18 15 7 12 9 10
Trespasser accidents 16 12 10 13 22 24 12 4 10 17 16
Other accident types 6 14 16 27 13 16 14 9 14 24 8
Track units 76 48 77 41 71 81 81 63 91 100 85
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 5 4 5 6 4 3 7 9 7
Trespasser accidents 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other accident types 69 46 72 37 66 75 77 60 84 91 78
Single car/cut of cars 126 378 476 416 526 594 616 467 413 482 409
Main-track collisions 0 6 0 1 0 2 2 3 1 1 3
Main-track derailments 2 8 2 4 2 7 5 4 3 5 4
Non-main-track collisions 59 114 103 93 119 133 141 82 83 89 80
Non-main-track derailments 51 222 333 278 362 402 415 339 294 349 284
Crossing accidents 1 9 17 17 21 26 25 13 15 10 17
Trespasser accidents 0 1 4 6 1 3 2 2 1 0 1
Other accident types 13 18 17 17 21 21 26 24 16 28 20
Other types of train/rolling stock 111 137 131 126 117 151 165 125 104 122 105
Main-track collisions 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 1
Main-track derailments 1 1 4 2 2 3 8 1 4 7 5
Non-main-track collisions 13 26 15 21 14 18 18 9 8 15 12
Non-main-track derailments 73 78 92 72 82 103 113 88 69 68 68
Crossing accidents 15 17 10 15 10 12 17 13 13 16 10
Trespasser accidents 2 2 0 1 2 1 0 5 1 4 2
Other accident types 7 13 10 13 7 14 8 8 9 11 7

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 3 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Table 4. Main-track derailments, by province and territory and number of derailed carsFootnote 1,Footnote 2, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Main-track derailments 84 100 74 58 81 87 93 70 76 68 55
Newfoundland and Labrador 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 2 1
Nova Scotia 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
New Brunswick 1 3 2 1 0 0 1 0 3 1 1
Quebec 8 11 9 6 6 9 10 9 3 10 4
Ontario 19 20 21 15 11 14 17 14 13 9 9
Manitoba 3 10 4 4 6 8 14 8 5 5 6
Saskatchewan 13 10 8 6 14 18 12 6 9 12 9
Alberta 19 30 16 13 21 20 17 11 17 10 8
British Columbia 19 16 14 12 21 18 22 21 24 18 17
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Main-track derailments per million main-track train milesFootnote 3 1.07 1.31 0.93 0.78 1.04 1.05 1.12 0.93 1.03 0.90 0.70
Main-track derailments per billion gross ton milesFootnote 4 0.17 0.18 0.14 0.11 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.12 0.13 0.12 n/a
Main-track derailments by cars derailed 84 100 74 58 81 87 93 70 76 68 55
1 car 47 29 29 26 39 29 43 32 33 26 21
2 cars 5 15 10 7 9 10 11 8 6 6 7
3 cars 5 4 4 2 2 4 2 2 1 1 3
4 cars 6 6 2 2 2 4 3 1 1 4 2
5 to 10 cars 7 22 16 10 13 21 11 10 10 17 8
11 cars or more 14 24 13 11 16 19 23 17 25 14 14

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 4 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Source of estimated million main-track train miles: Transport Canada email communication 18 March 2024.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Source of billion gross ton miles: Rail Trends 2023, Railway Association of Canada.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Table 5. Main-track derailments, by assigned factorsFootnote 1,Footnote 2, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Assigned factorsFootnote 3,Footnote 4 96 109 80 63 84 89 91 72 75 72 51
Environmental 5 10 2 3 4 7 8 10 9 7 3
Equipment 33 27 23 20 30 24 26 18 20 12 12
Axle 8 4 6 6 10 2 6 3 6 1 3
Brakes 3 4 4 4 4 4 7 4 1 2 2
Draft system 2 5 5 1 4 7 2 1 5 0 0
Superstructure 7 3 1 2 1 4 3 2 0 3 2
Truck 5 6 2 1 5 0 1 0 4 3 1
Wheel 8 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 4 3 4
Track 30 49 33 18 32 24 37 25 32 16 22
Geometry 10 11 8 8 14 11 10 10 9 4 9
Object on track 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2
Other track material 0 7 2 1 3 2 3 2 2 0 1
Rail 12 17 12 4 9 4 13 4 13 7 7
Roadbed 4 5 7 2 4 4 6 6 6 1 1
Switch 0 6 1 3 0 1 1 1 1 2 0
Turnouts 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 2
Actions 26 18 14 18 17 27 18 17 13 34 12
Failure to protect 5 4 2 4 5 10 9 6 4 14 1
Failure to secure 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1
Failure to use equipment properly 10 6 5 9 8 13 6 8 5 14 8
Improper loading/lifting 2 3 2 0 2 1 0 0 2 1 1
Improper placement/position for task 6 3 1 4 2 2 1 3 1 2 0
Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Operating at improper speed 2 2 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1
Vandalism 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other actions 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
Other assigned factors 2 5 8 4 1 7 2 2 1 3 2
Main-track derailments  84 100 74 58 81 87 93 70 76 68 55
One factor assigned 74 94 70 53 76 81 87 67 73 64 51
More than one factor assigned 10 6 4 4 4 3 2 2 1 4 0
No factors assigned 0 0 0 1 1 3 4 1 2 0 4

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 5 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Table 6. Non-main-track collisions, by province and territory and number of derailed carsFootnote 1, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Non-main-track collisions  93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67 62 66 63
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 2
New Brunswick 1 4 0 1 1 2 0 2 1 0 1
Quebec 10 4 10 7 9 5 9 4 3 5 6
Ontario 16 23 20 19 25 19 26 15 9 24 19
Manitoba 14 18 15 10 14 8 15 11 8 10 9
Saskatchewan 11 21 8 5 7 13 11 5 4 2 1
Alberta 28 19 17 19 23 26 29 13 16 12 11
British Columbia 13 17 21 8 23 27 22 16 21 12 14
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Non-main-track collisions  93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67 62 66 63
No cars derailed 63 63 63 38 64 54 63 34 35 35 34
1 car 18 19 21 14 16 27 27 16 11 13 15
2 cars 7 13 1 7 11 6 11 4 6 9 9
3 cars 2 4 3 4 5 4 6 6 3 2 1
4 cars 0 3 2 2 3 2 0 2 2 1 1
5 to 10 cars 3 3 2 3 4 7 3 5 4 6 3
11 cars or more 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 0

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 6 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Table 7. Non-main-track collisions, by assigned factorsFootnote 1, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Assigned factorsFootnote 2,Footnote 3 113 118 103 81 113 106 115 68 63 72 68
Environmental 1 2 2 2 1 2 3 2 4 1 1
Equipment 5 4 3 3 1 3 3 1 3 2 2
Track 6 8 7 1 3 3 3 3 3 7 4
Actions 95 102 88 70 102 94 102 58 50 59 58
Failure to protect 54 61 59 43 66 59 66 39 29 37 40
Failure to secure 13 11 4 5 7 9 7 7 8 6 3
Failure to use equipment properly 14 16 14 11 19 18 21 7 7 7 11
Improper placement/position for task 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Inadequate/inappropriate communications 3 2 3 3 1 1 2 2 3 0 1
Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Operating at improper speed 8 12 7 8 9 7 4 3 1 8 3
Vandalism 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Other actions 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0
Other assigned factors 6 2 3 5 6 4 4 4 3 3 3
Non-main-track collisions 93 106 92 69 103 101 112 67 62 66 63
One assigned factor  73 97 83 60 96 97 109 66 59 61 57
More than one assigned factor  20 9 9 9 7 4 3 1 2 5 4
No assigned factor  0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 7 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Table 8. Non-main-track derailment accidents, by province and territory and number of derailed carsFootnote 1,Footnote 2, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Non-main-track derailments 549 481 523 435 541 599 606 492 400 450 404
Newfoundland and Labrador 1 0 6 12 11 9 7 7 10 6 10
Nova Scotia 2 4 3 2 5 6 3 8 6 7 6
New Brunswick 4 12 13 9 9 5 12 7 6 11 6
Quebec 55 48 81 67 85 60 111 70 60 82 59
Ontario 93 93 109 85 115 119 136 93 89 84 108
Manitoba 70 68 71 58 70 65 68 59 44 57 37
Saskatchewan 87 50 49 55 49 83 55 47 42 60 37
Alberta 145 125 91 68 93 131 115 101 71 76 70
British Columbia 91 80 100 79 103 121 99 100 72 66 71
Northwest Territories and Yukon 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Non-main-track derailments by cars derailed 549 481 523 435 541 599 606 492 400 450 404
1 car 334 260 319 265 333 383 403 323 250 274 237
2 cars 102 97 91 81 91 93 89 83 77 97 83
3 cars 48 49 53 31 46 54 39 36 30 34 28
4 cars 25 23 26 22 25 28 32 19 18 15 17
5 to 10 cars 37 46 29 31 43 35 32 29 24 27 36
11 cars or more 3 6 5 5 3 6 11 2 1 3 3

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 8 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Table 9. Non main-track derailment accidents, by assigned factorsFootnote 1,Footnote 2, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Assigned factorsFootnote 3,Footnote 4 622 517 560 465 572 610 610 496 400 459 403
Environmental 82 30 36 40 59 77 131 63 54 79 45
Equipment 39 41 31 31 34 31 23 29 25 27 31
Axle 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Brakes 7 9 7 4 6 11 1 6 5 3 7
Draft system 5 8 3 5 5 5 5 5 7 4 5
Superstructure 7 7 5 4 8 10 6 6 2 3 7
Truck 14 11 8 11 12 5 6 8 7 12 6
Wheel 6 6 8 7 3 0 4 4 4 5 6
Track 205 202 194 164 162 190 165 143 115 118 100
Appurtenances 1 2 1 1 3 3 2 0 1 1 0
Geometry 73 77 61 72 67 78 76 63 56 64 42
Object on track 2 0 2 1 1 3 3 2 1 0 0
Other track material 5 3 5 6 6 7 2 1 4 4 3
Rail 38 30 30 19 38 24 24 18 14 16 24
Roadbed 10 8 9 4 6 6 6 4 4 3 1
Signals 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Switch 58 59 64 50 30 52 40 41 30 24 23
Turnouts 12 19 16 4 8 12 11 11 3 3 5
Actions 269 226 276 216 301 307 280 255 197 230 218
Failure to protect 140 130 158 109 163 209 176 148 111 132 136
Failure to secure 6 5 2 1 9 10 14 5 7 9 6
Failure to use equipment properly 84 67 72 81 98 66 72 68 60 76 60
Improper loading/lifting 7 3 8 1 7 2 6 7 2 2 3
Improper placement/position for task 8 7 7 6 11 4 6 10 7 3 3
Inadequate/inappropriate communications 3 1 4 1 2 4 0 3 2 2 0
Inadequate/inappropriate maintenance of equipment 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Operating at improper speed 10 13 16 8 8 6 3 9 7 4 4
Vandalism 5 0 5 6 3 5 0 4 1 2 6
Other actions 5 0 1 3 0 1 3 1 0 0 0
Other assigned factors 27 18 23 14 16 5 11 6 9 5 9
Non-main-track derailments 549 481 523 435 541 599 606 492 400 450 404
One assigned factor  479 450 498 414 517 584 602 486 394 438 394
More than one assigned factor  70 31 25 21 24 12 4 5 3 10 4
No assigned factor  0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 3 2 6

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 9 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Table 10. Crossing accidents, by type of crossing, crossing protection, and casualtiesFootnote 1, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Crossing accidents 184 185 165 133 143 166 178 130 136 161 149
Public crossings 172 154 131 105 117 135 135 110 114 133 114
Passive warnings 65 68 52 36 47 50 49 56 56 55 38
Automated warnings 107 86 79 69 70 85 86 54 58 78 76
Flashing lights and bells 56 47 37 39 30 44 43 17 24 27 35
Gates 44 38 42 29 38 40 42 36 34 51 37
Other automated warnings 7 1 0 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 4
Private crossings 10 27 28 24 21 30 40 18 22 25 33
Farm crossings 2 4 6 4 5 1 3 2 0 3 2
Fatal accidents 22 20 15 16 19 18 26 16 16 14 13
Persons fatally injured 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18 17 14 13
Public crossings 30 20 13 19 19 18 25 18 17 14 10
Passive warnings 3 2 2 7 4 3 6 12 5 2 2
Automated warnings 27 18 11 12 15 15 19 6 12 12 8
Flashing lights and bells 7 3 2 5 3 4 5 1 5 2 2
Gates 20 15 9 7 12 11 14 5 7 10 6
Other automated warnings 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private crossings 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 3
Farm crossings 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Persons seriously injured 27 29 18 24 22 41 31 12 24 28 19
Public crossings 26 22 18 21 18 36 25 11 23 27 18
Passive warnings 7 11 4 5 9 16 6 3 11 6 1
Automated warnings 19 11 14 16 9 20 19 8 12 21 17
Flashing lights and bells 4 6 4 8 3 6 9 2 6 6 8
Gates 13 5 10 8 6 14 10 6 6 15 7
Other automated warnings 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Private crossings 0 7 0 3 3 5 6 1 1 1 1
Farm crossings 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of public crossingsFootnote 2 16 113 15 950 15 724 15 656 16 524 16 447 16 497 16 366 15 434 14 124 14 126
Passive warnings 10 548 10 397 10 173 10 109 10 833 10 671 10 608 10 506 9 561 8 210 8 182
Automated warnings 5 565 5 553 5 551 5 547 5 691 5 776 5 889 5 860 5 873 5 914 5 944
Flashing lights and bells 3 235 3 189 3 156 3 118 3 268 3 267 3 277 3 208 3 163 3 136 3 124
Gates 2 275 2 317 2 351 2 386 2 399 2 484 2 585 2 627 2 685 2 760 2 803
Other automated warnings  55  47  44  43  24  25  27  25  25  18  17

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 10 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Source: Transport Canada Rail Safety Integrated Gateway (RSIG) database. The data for 2023 are from 18 March 2024. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Table 11. Crossing accidents and casualties, by province and territoryFootnote 1, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Crossing accidents 184 185 165 133 143 166 178 130 136 161 149
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 2 1 3 3 2 4 0 2 1
New Brunswick  2 6 7 4 1 3 2 1 2 3 2
Quebec  16 23 28 29 26 24 25 20 14 18 21
Ontario 40 44 29 26 26 42 50 20 27 37 28
Manitoba  19 17 19 14 15 15 20 22 16 13 21
Saskatchewan  37 34 23 19 26 22 24 13 24 29 20
Alberta  50 40 38 21 28 35 35 31 31 33 29
British Columbia  19 21 19 19 18 22 20 19 21 26 27
Northwest Territories and Yukon 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Crossing accidents on main trackFootnote 2 178 173 159 122 137 155 166 124 127 151 141
Crossing accidents per million main-track train milesFootnote 3 2.3 2.3 2.0 1.6 1.8 1.9 2.0 1.7 1.7 2.0 1.8
Crossing accidents with derailment 6 9 6 6 5 7 1 3 2 4 6
Persons fatally injured 30 21 15 19 19 19 28 18 17 14 13
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 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Quebec 2 9 4 3 7 3 2 3 3 0 3
Ontario 13 5 5 3 7 6 11 2 7 4 3
Manitoba 0 1 1 2 2 1 5 5 1 0 3
Saskatchewan 3 2 0 4 0 1 4 1 0 5 1
Alberta 7 2 3 3 2 3 2 5 6 0 1
British Columbia 4 2 2 2 1 5 4 2 0 5 2
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Persons seriously injured 27 29 18 24 22 41 31 12 24 28 19
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0
New Brunswick 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Quebec 1 3 2 8 3 10 1 2 1 2 1
Ontario 15 3 0 4 2 8 7 1 7 4 8
Manitoba 0 7 2 3 3 7 0 2 3 4 3
Saskatchewan 5 7 2 2 2 9 7 1 1 6 3
Alberta 5 5 6 6 5 2 9 3 8 9 2
British Columbia 1 4 6 1 7 5 5 2 4 3 2
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of public crossingsFootnote 4 16 113 15 950 15 724 15 656 16 524 16 447 16 497 16 366 15 434 14 124 14 126
Newfoundland and Labrador  5  5  5  5  4  5  5  5  6  6  6
Nova Scotia  182  182  182  182  181  181  183  168  103  103  106
New Brunswick  342  343  344  344  471  472  432  432  274  274  275
Quebec 1 967 1 921 1 902 1 902 1 694 1 693 1 786 1 788 1 664 1 417 1 410
Ontario 3 792 3 782 3 743 3 728 4 126 4 131 4 158 4 074 3 797 3 048 3 034
Manitoba 1 929 1 914 1 862 1 858 2 046 2 006 1 987 1 983 1 970 1 925 1 931
Saskatchewan 3 652 3 597 3 509 3 504 3 607 3 573 3 546 3 526 3 518 3 473 3 470
Alberta 2 767 2 731 2 724 2 707 2 881 2 894 2 883 2 895 2 852 2 644 2 654
British Columbia 1 451 1 449 1 432 1 404 1 498 1 476 1 502 1 480 1 220 1 204 1 210
Northwest Territories and Yukon  26  26  21  22  16  16  15  15  30  30  30

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 11 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Includes crossing accidents on main track or on spurs.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Source of estimated million main-track train miles: Transport Canada email communication 18 March 2024.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Source: Transport Canada RSIG database. The data for 2023 are from 18 March 2024. Figures for previous years are snapshots provided historically by Transport Canada.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Table 12. Trespasser accidents and casualties, by province and territoryFootnote 1, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Trespasser accidents 56 54 50 68 76 68 56 60 63 72 80
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 2 0
New Brunswick 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
Quebec 7 6 5 3 12 12 6 8 6 11 9
Ontario 30 21 23 25 33 30 21 21 35 33 35
Manitoba 2 2 1 4 4 3 2 3 1 3 6
Saskatchewan 2 2 4 3 1 1 4 1 2 0 4
Alberta 7 10 4 10 8 10 14 12 6 9 9
British Columbia 8 13 12 21 17 12 8 12 11 13 17
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fatal accidents 42 31 30 46 51 34 38 40 41 51 53
Persons fatally injured 42 32 30 47 52 34 38 40 41 51 53
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Brunswick 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Quebec 4 2 5 2 9 7 4 8 4 8 6
Ontario 26 15 13 19 25 14 16 14 28 29 26
Manitoba 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1
Saskatchewan 2 1 1 2 1 0 4 1 1 0 2
Alberta 4 5 3 5 5 4 9 10 2 8 6
British Columbia 4 8 6 15 10 7 3 6 5 4 12
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Persons seriously injured 10 21 17 20 22 30 17 20 17 16 20
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Nova Scotia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
New Brunswick 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
Quebec 3 4 0 1 3 5 2 0 1 2 3
Ontario 3 6 8 6 8 13 5 7 6 3 7
Manitoba 0 1 0 2 2 1 0 2 0 1 4
Saskatchewan 0 0 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Alberta 1 4 1 4 2 6 4 2 2 1 1
British Columbia 3 6 4 5 7 4 5 6 7 7 4
Northwest Territories and Yukon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 12 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Table 13. Reportable incidents, by type and assigned factorsFootnote 1, 2013 to 2023
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Reportable incidents 225 413 374 302 236 287 284 275 338 374 321
Main-track derailments, 1 or 2 carsFootnote 2 (no damage) n/a 2 3 5 3 4 3 1 2 1 0
Non-main-track collisionsFootnote 2 (no derailment, no damage) n/a 8 4 4 2 2 0 1 2 4 3
Non-main-track derailments, 1 or 2 carsFootnote 2 (no damage) n/a 166 125 97 67 96 58 32 39 111 66
Dangerous goods leakerFootnote 3 94 63 33 7 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Main-track switch in abnormal position 7 6 12 7 12 7 15 3 13 8 8
Movement exceeds limits of authority 98 129 142 133 122 138 136 149 109 134 161
Uncontrolled movement of rolling stock 14 11 14 10 14 15 15 19 13 9 9
Signal less restrictive than required 1 2 5 1 1 2 0 1 0 6 0
Unprotected overlap of authorities 4 5 6 4 2 11 6 5 4 2 0
Crew member incapacitated  6 1 2 1 4 5 0 1 0 0 0
Derailment involving track unit (no damage) n/a 7 10 13 5 5 7 9 4 4 12
Rolling stock collision with abandonded vehicle (no derailment, no damage)  n/a 1 5 5 0 1 0 1 1 0 0
Rolling stock collision with object (no derailment, no damage)   n/a 6 10 14 3 0 1 2 6 6 6
Fires on railway right-of-way 1 6 2 1 1 1 42 46 145 88 56
Assigned factorsFootnote 4,Footnote 5 230 430 394 325 246 292 289 278 338 388 330
Dangerous goods leaker location/component 92 61 32 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Equipment 5 17 10 11 10 8 48 49 114 37 35
Individual/personal 4 1 3 0 3 4 0 0 0 2 1
Track 2 25 36 29 7 13 7 13 16 26 22
Actions 116 250 264 241 191 209 184 176 154 207 217
Failure to protect 33 95 94 88 73 90 66 46 65 94 79
Failure to secure 7 5 11 4 9 2 6 8 5 6 4
Failure to use equipment properly 9 29 25 34 20 20 9 15 11 17 23
Inadequate/inappropriate communication 8 18 13 14 8 14 12 15 4 4 11
Lap of authority 54 83 98 82 74 72 87 88 61 75 94
Vandalism 1 5 6 6 1 3 2 1 3 2 0
Other actions 4 15 17 13 6 8 2 3 5 9 6
Other assigned factors 11 76 49 35 35 58 50 40 54 116 55
Reportable incidents 225 413 374 302 236 287 284 275 338 374 321
One factor assigned 221 397 360 280 226 281 279 271 338 362 309
More than one factor assigned 4 16 14 21 9 5 5 3 0 11 8
No factor assigned 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 4

Data extracted 15 February 2024

Table 13 footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Under the 2014 TSB Regulations, all derailments are reportable.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 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.

Return to footnote 5 referrer

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