Backgrounder (R18H0039)

TSB statistics on unplanned/uncontrolled movements

From 2009 to 2018, there were 562 occurrences reported to the Transporatation Safety Bord of Canada (TSB) related to unplanned/uncontrolled movements among all railways in Canada.

Table 1. TSB occurrences involving unplanned/uncontrolled movements between 2009 and 2018
Reason for unplanned or
uncontrolled movement		 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total
Loss of control 0 2 3 0 3 0 1 4 2 5 20
Switching without air 14 10 16 12 24 21 22 18 21 27 185
Securement 37 25 32 44 42 38 37 29 39 34 357
Total 51 37 51 56 69 59 60 51 62 66 562

Note: The data summarizing the number of uncontrolled movements each year have not been adjusted for variations in annual rail traffic volumes.

Uncontrolled movements generally fall into 1 of 3 causal categories:

  1. Loss of control: When a locomotive engineer or a remote control locomotive system  operator cannot control a locomotive, a car, a cut of cars, or a train with available locomotive and/or train air brake systems.
  2. Switching without air: When a movement is switching with the use of the locomotive independent brakes only, with no air brakes available on the cars being switched or kicked. The vast majority of these incidents occur in yards.
  3. Securement: When a car, a cut of cars, or a train is left unattended and begins to roll away uncontrolled, usually because
    • an insufficient number of hand brakes have been applied to a car, a cut of cars, or a train; and/or
    • a car (or cars) has faulty or ineffective hand brakes.

Table 2 provides a breakout of uncontrolled movements that result from loss of control by consequence.

Table 2. Consequences of uncontrolled movements resulting from loss of control only
Consequence* 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total
Derailment of 1 to 5 cars 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 6
Derailment of more than 5 cars 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
Collision 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 6
Affected the main track** 0 1 2 0 2 0 1 2 1 3 12
Involved dangerous goods 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Injuries or fatalities 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2

* Some occurrences may have more than 1 consequence.

** Originated on the main track, moved onto the main track, or fouled the main track.

Over the 10 years from 2009 to 2018, loss of control, as in this occurrence, was the causal category in 4% (20 of 562) of the occurrences. However, 60% (12 of 20) of the occurrences that involved loss of control affected the main track.

Since 1994, in addition to this occurrence, the TSB has investigated 33 other occurrences that involved uncontrolled movements.