Update on rail tank car safety
Canada’s railways believe that more stringent tank car standards are essential to improving the safety of transporting dangerous goods by rail. In addition, the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) believes that new tank car requirements and regulations must be harmonized between Canada and the United States, to ensure the safety of cross-border shipments.
RAC, shippers and manufacturers are currently in consultation with Transport Canada (TC) about tank car improvements and design. The RAC has submitted comments to TC on the retrofit and retirement of pre-2011 DOT-111 rail tank cars. In addition, the RAC has filed comments with the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, through its membership on the Association of American Railroads’ Tank Car Committee.
Canada’s railways take safety very seriously. Because of our common carrier obligation, we are required to move dangerous goods by law under the Canada Transportation Act.
RAC and its members have called for all non-pressurized dangerous goods tank cars to be built or retrofitted to meet enhanced design requirements (i.e. improved head shields, thicker steel and protected fittings), or be phased out. We believe that new or upgraded tank cars are the best investments that can be made to enhance safety, while moving goods that are essential to Canadians.
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Resources
President’s message: Canada’s railways are on track with safety improvements
Factsheet: Railway industry safety measures since Lac-Mégantic
Infographic: Rail safety in Canada
Contact:
Alex Paterson
Railway Association of Canada
613-564-8111
alexp@railcan.ca
About the Railway Association of Canada
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents more than 50 freight and passenger railway companies that move 75 million people and $250 billion worth of goods in Canada each year. As the voice of Canada’s railway industry, RAC advocates on behalf of its members and associate members to ensure that the rail sector remains globally competitive, sustainable, and most importantly, safe. Learn more at www.railcan.ca. Follow us on Twitter:@RailCanada or Facebook: www.facebook.com/RailCanada.
