Transport Canada has addressed the Transportation Safety Board’s multimodal (aviation, marine and rail) recommendations for safety management systems (SMS) and has taken the following action:
- Transport Canada is in the process of implementing or strengthening safety management systems in aviation, marine and rail modes of transportation by:
- Refining oversight of aviation safety management systems
- Strengthening the Railway Safety Act
- Creating a risk division to oversee enforcement for rail
- Transport Canada adjusted the safety management system implementation schedule for smaller operators based on the lessons learned from the transition process for larger operators. This adjustment will allow inspectors to receive further training, operators to properly prepare themselves and TC to ensure efficient and effective implementation.
- Transport Canada developed and introduced the Surveillance Procedures Training course. A pilot test of the course was held in August 2010 and new adjustments to the course will be made, if required. The first course will take place on September 29, 2010 with 20 participants. Between September 2010 and June 2011, Transport Canada has tentatively scheduled 24 courses across the country, with a remaining 36 courses to be scheduled and delivered in the following three years.
- SMS implementation in the rail industry is well underway. Transport Canada continues to perform national, regional and inter-regional safety management system audits of all federally regulated railways.
- In response to the Railway Safety Act Review, Transport Canada and members of the rail industry have developed guidelines and tools to assist railway companies in implementing and improving their safety management systems.
- For more than a decade, the international shipping industry, including numerous Canadian operators, has embraced SMS as a standard business practice to promote safe and environmentally sound operating practices. This year, Transport Canada is in the final stages of developing a Domestic Safety Management manual, along with other tools, to help smaller Canadian operators implement SMS. Transport Canada has also begun consultations with industry to develop a SMS framework for the Canadian domestic fleet.
Transport Canada has addressed the Transportation Safety Board’s multimodal (aviation, marine and rail) recommendations for data recorders and has taken the following action:
- Transport Canada is already in the process of implementing the following changes to data recorder regulations in aviation, marine and rail modes of transportation:
- Increasing recording capacity of cockpit voice recorders
- Increasing power supply in cockpit voice recorders
- Developing Voyage Data Recorders Regulations in the marine industry
Aviation
Transport Canada has updated the standards of the Airworthiness Manual applicable to design of new aircraft. The amended standards require new aircraft to have upgraded cockpit voice recorders - with a recording capacity of at least two hours - and enhanced flight data recorders. TC will initiate a further regulatory initiative to update current operating rules for cockpit voice and flight data recorders equipment.
Marine
For the marine industry, Transport Canada proposed Voyage Data Recorders Regulations, which are expected to be pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I in the Fall of 2010.
Rail
Transport Canada has already implemented rules for locomotive event recorders. For example, all new locomotives built after January 2007 must be equipped with a certified, crashworthy event recorder.
Effective January 1, 2010, should an event recorder be replaced on a locomotive built prior to January 2008, the event recorder must be replaced with a certified crashworthy event recorder, or one with a hardened memory module.
September 2010
Increase safety on runways
The Transportation Safety Board has recommended that further measures be taken to reduce the risk of aircraft colliding with vehicles or other aircraft on the ground at Canadian airports. Transport Canada has taken the following actions:
Regulations and Standards
- Regulatory amendments that will address airside access and vehicle control are proceeding through the regulatory process.
Education and Awareness
- Transport Canada is revising guidance material on runway incursion prevention – Runway Incursion Initiatives - Aerodrome Safety Circular – to reflect International Civil Aviation Organization recommendations.
- Transport Canada is actively promoting the deployment of runway guard lights. In April 2010, TC issued an Advisory Circular on Runway Guard Light Installation Criteria.
- Transport Canada is analyzing data from a study of runway incursions in Canada to expand its understanding of the issue.
Industry (domestic) Partnership
- Transport Canada is participating in the industry led panel on runway incursion prevention.
International Collaboration
- Transport Canada partnered with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to prepare the Manual on the Prevention of Runway Incursions (PDF format, 826 KB). The manual provides global guidance on how States can implement or improve runway incursion. This program ensures global consistency of safe operations on the manoeuvring area. TC is also presenting a working paper on runway safety at the upcoming ICAO Assembly. The paper will address incursions and excursions.
Reduce the risk of collisions with land and water
The Transportation Safety Board has recommended that further measures be taken to reduce the risk of aircraft colliding with land and water while under crew control. Transport Canada has taken the following actions:
Regulations and Standards
- Transport Canada is in the final stages of implementing regulations that would require the installation and operation of Terrain Awareness Warning Systems in commercial air taxi, commuter and airline operations. This would significantly reduce or eliminate the risk, if implemented.
- Transport Canada is reviewing the current Visual Flight Rules (VFR) visibility regulations.
Education and Awareness
- In response to recent occurrences involving seaplanes, the Minister has committed to a series of initiatives, listed below, aimed at accident prevention and improving survivability.
- Implement an updated floatplane safety awareness campaign for passengers and commercial operators, which started in June.
- Strengthen the investigation and enforcement actions against operators who are found not to be following existing regulations and standards. Transport Canada’s civil aviation has scheduled a comprehensive surveillance program of floatplane operators.
- Undertake a full review with industry stakeholders, safety advocates, affected communities, and other jurisdictions, of the potential measures to improve floatplane safety, including a full review of aircraft design standards related to floatplane issues.
- Investigate the possibility of implementing improvements in egress from submerged floatplanes, such as the operation of emergency exits, pop-out windows, wearing of life vests by passengers and egress training for commercial crews.
Industry (domestic) Partnership
- Transport Canada will hold a floatplane safety workshop in October 2010 in Vancouver involving aspects of the sector and drawing on safety expertise in other industries.
International Collaboration
- Transport Canada has re-established its involvement on the Commercial Aviation Safety Team and will continue to actively participate in future workshops.
Reduce the risk of landing accidents and runway overruns
The Transportation Safety Board has recommended that further measures be taken to reduce the risk of landing accidents and runway overruns. Transport Canada has taken the following actions:
Regulations and Standards
- Transport Canada is revising TP 312 – Aerodrome Standards and Recommended Practises in cooperation with industry experts. The updated document will address providing additional visual aids for pilots to help assess landing distances, harmonizing Canadian and international Runway End Safety Area (RESA) standards, and recognizing the engineered material arresting system (EMAS)1 as an added measure to increase safety. Transport Canada is committed to conforming to ICAO’s 150 meters RESA standard, while assessing the potential benefits of extending the RESA to 300 meters.
- Transport Canada has published a regulatory amendment on safe runway operations during the winter in the Canada Gazette Part 1: Notices and Proposed Regulations. The proposed Canadian Aviation Regulations amendment would require airport operators to develop standardized procedures related to winter maintenance of runways. The proposal would require airport operators to develop standardized procedures related to winter maintenance of runways. The proposal would also require accurate and timely reporting of surface conditions at airports during the winter. These measures will lead to more reliable and safer transportation for those using Canadian airports in winter.
Education and Awareness
- Transport Canada has published an Advisory Circular and an article in Aviation Safety Letter targeting airline operators. In addition, TC has issued guidelines to help pilots with decision-making when flying in poor weather.
International Collaboration
- Transport Canada is an active participant in the ICAO’s Air Navigation Commission, Aerodrome Panel and Aerodrome Design Working Group. The purpose of this participation is to develop and harmonize international standards that will reduce runway overrun and undershoot incidents. TC is presenting a working paper on runway safety, for the upcoming ICAO Assembly. The paper will address incursions and excursions.
Note 1: The engineered material arresting system (EMAS) is an example of a ground arrestor system. EMAS is located beyond the end of the runway and is designed to stop an overrunning aircraft by exerting deceleration forces on its landing gear. The application of EMAS can mean the difference between an accident and a minor incident. EMAS is a soft ground arrestor who deforms under the weight of the aircraft tire as it runs over it. As the tires crush the material, the drag forces decelerate the aircraft and bring it to a safe stop. EMAS is popular in the U.S at airports that have difficulties complying with the Federal Aviation Administration’s rules on runway safety.
September 2010
Transport Canada has addressed the Transportation Safety Board recommendation for loss of life on fishing vessels and has taken the following action:
- Transport Canada is developing, through regulations and policy, a plan for more inspection, monitoring, and oversight of high-risk vessels.
- Transport Canada’s proposed Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations focuses on promoting safety while not placing unnecessary technical barriers to an economically viable fishing industry.
- These Regulations address vessel design, construction, and equipment, and will provide improvements over the current Small Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations.
- The new Regulations are expected to come into force in 2012. Pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I is anticipated in 2011.
- Transport Canada and the fishing industry recognize that regulations are only one part of the solution. Safety is a shared responsibility and regulations alone cannot address all of the inherent risks in the fishing industry.
- As such, Transport Canada continues to consult and work closely with other departments and the fishing industry to ensure the department has rules in place that keep pace with the times and that protect fishers, vessels, and the marine environment.
Transport Canada has addressed the Transportation Safety Board recommendation for emergency preparedness on ferries and has taken the following action:
- Transport Canada has finalized the Fire and Boat Drill Regulations.
- These Regulations enhance safety by requiring vessel operators to:
- keep better account of passengers;
- improve emergency preparedness on their vessels; and
- require their crews to carry out realistic and efficient emergency drills.
- These Regulations were pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on October 10, 2009. After considering the comments, the Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on May 12, 2010 and are now in effect.
- The new Fire and Boat Drills Regulations replace the Boat and Fire Drill and Means of Exit Regulations. The content of the new Regulations is consistent with the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and its associated regulations.
- Transport Canada has and will continue to issue ship safety bulletins to bring awareness of emergency preparation aboard ferries.
September 2010
Transport Canada has addressed the Transportation Safety Board recommendation for passenger trains colliding with vehicles and has taken the following actions:
High Speed Corridors
- Transport Canada recognizes and is taking seriously the risk associated with crossings along high-speed corridors.
- 80% of the public crossings located on the high speed Quebec-Windsor corridor are now equipped with gated warning systems.
- Transport Canada is developing a program to install warning systems with gates at all public grade crossings where train speeds exceed 128 km/hr on the Quebec-Windsor corridor. These installations will be completed within the next 2 years by industry initiatives and/or the Transport Canada Grade Crossing Improvement Program.
- Transport Canada is continuing to work with the railway industry and municipalities to perform safety assessments along the busy Quebec-Windsor passenger train corridor.
Grade Crossing Regulations
- Transport Canada is developing a Grade Crossing Regulation that will provide for better standards on high-speed corridors and prohibit the construction of new crossings if train speeds exceed 128 km/h. This will be pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, which is anticipated in Fall 2011.
Related Safety Actions
- Transport Canada is working with the Transportation Association of Canada to develop new low clearance advance warning signs at railway crossings.
- Transport Canada is continuing to support Operation Lifesaver and to fund up to 80 per cent of safety enhancement costs at approximately 80-100 sites across Canada every year.
- An additional $28 million in funding over five years was announced in Budget 2009 to improve safety at grade crossings across Canada.
- In 2009-2010, Transport Canada committed contributions to improvement projects estimated at more than $1.2 million for grade crossings located on the high-speed corridor and nearly $2 million was committed in 2010-2011.
Transport Canada has addressed the Transportation Safety Board recommendation for the operation of longer and heavier trains and has taken the following actions:
- Transport Canada has initiated a multi-stakeholder research project to examine in train forces (forces generated by grades, curves, distribution of power and train handling practices) and produce a technical guideline that the industry will be able to use to measure their systems and enhance safety. Results of the study will be disseminated from August through December 2010.
- In addition, the industry is moving forward on improved software to better control the factors that affect these longer, heavier trains with respect to the geography of the terrain over which they operate. Transport Canada will monitor industry progress to ensure that these factors are addressed.
- Transport Canada recognizes that technology by itself is not sufficient to mitigate the risks associated with the operation of longer, heavier trains. That is why the department will continue to work with railways to conduct detailed risk assessments whenever operating practices change.
September 2010
