Rail transportation safety investigation R16H0002

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 19 September 2016.

Table of contents

    Safety issue investigation (SII)
    Expanding the use of locomotive voice and video recorders [LVVR] in Canada

    About the study

    In May 2015, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada launched a safety issues investigation (safety study) on the use of locomotive voice and video recorders under the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act.

    Key railway stakeholders participated in the safety study, including Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada, Canadian Pacific Railway, Canadian National Railway, VIA Rail, GO Transit, and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

    The safety study assessed current technology and regulatory issues, operational and human resources, and potential safety benefits of the expanded use of on-board recorders. The study collected background information for the development of an action plan to implement locomotive voice and video recorders.

    Safety communications

    Recommendations

    2003-07-25

    Recommendation R03-02: National standards for locomotive data recorders

    2013-06-10

    Recommendation R13-02: In-cab locomotive video cameras

    Correspondence

    Media materials

    Related TSB railway investigation reports

    Train passed a signal indicating stop
    VIA Rail Canada Inc.
    Train No. 52
    Mile 232.8, Kingston Subdivision
    Trenton Junction
    Trenton, Ontario
    19 January 1999

    Main-track derailment

    Via Rail Canada Inc.
    Passenger train No. 92
    Mile 33.23, Canadian National
    Oakville Subdivision
    Aldershot, Ontario
    26 February 2012

    News releases

    2016-09-19

    TSB calls for implementation of voice and video recorders on locomotives in Canada
    Read the news release

    Investigation information

      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 1 investigation. These investigations—also known as safety issue investigations (SII)—analyze a series of occurrences with common characteristics that have formed a pattern over a period of time. These investigations, which may result in recommendations, are generally completed within 730 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

    TSB investigation process

    There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

    1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
    2. Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
    3. Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.

    For more information, see our Investigation process page.

    The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.