Canada increasing investment in crossing safety

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Minister Garneau speaking at event announcing Transport Canada’s new rail safety initiative.
Transport Canada

The government of Canada has committed more than CA$55 million (US$41.5 million) to improve safety through its new Rail Safety Improvement Program.

Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, said the new program increases overall funding, expands the list of eligible recipients and broadens the scope of projects that could be funded to enhance rail safety.

Funding will support safety improvements on rail property, along rail lines and at road-rail grade crossings such as flashing lights, bells and/or gates; the use of innovative technologies; outreach, promotional awareness, educational activities and public service announcements, research and studies; as well as the closures of grade crossings that present safety concerns.

The new program builds on three previous rail safety programs: the Grade Crossing Improvement Program (GCIP); the Grade Crossing Closure Program (GCCP) and Operation Lifesaver.

“Canadians rely on our rail system to be safe. As I’ve said many times, rail safety is my top priority, and I remain committed to reducing the number of accidents and incidents on Canada’s rail lines and over 20,000 federally regulated crossings. There are new technologies to improve railway safety that have proven effective and through this new program, we can invest in them and expand their use nationwide,” said Minister Garneau.

The government said the new program is a comprehensive approach to improving the safety of rail transportation across Canada, through key components that include: Infrastructure, technology and research; and public education and awareness.

The infrastructure, technology and research component replaces both the existing GCIP and GCCP by enhancing the focus on addressing the needs of communities of all sizes by making more safety improvements eligible and increasing federal investment. This component will focus on lower cost/high impact improvements although eligible projects could vary from small safety improvements to full pedestrian overpasses if funding is available. Under the new program, grant funding will continue to be available to encourage the closure of high-risk crossings in addition to funding small-scale improvements.

Considering that trespasser accidents in Canada accounted for 61 percent of fatalities, the government recognizes that more can be done to improve rail safety through outreach, education and awareness.

Transport Canada said it will build on the successful results and lessons learned from existing programs such as Operation Lifesaver, by making transfer payment funding available to eligible recipients through a “two-stream” approach, including: A national public information and education campaign dedicated to contributing to the reduction of railway grade-crossing collisions and trespassing incidents on railway property; and, targeted regional or municipal education and awareness initiatives to address high risk areas.

Transport Canada said this component will also be used to support research, studies and analysis that will contribute to a better understanding of behavior, attitudes and impact of rail safety issues including post-accident community trauma assessment.

Minister Garneau also launched a call for proposals for 2017-18 under the infrastructure, technology and research program and the public education and awareness program. Transport Canada is funding more than 380 existing grade-crossing improvement projects across the country.

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