EVALUATION OF RAILWAY SAFETY PROJECTS

Each year in Canada there are several thousand railway accidents, most of which are minor derailments or collisions which cause only a short delay to a single train. Some, however, result in injuries, loss of life and substantial property damage. In 1979, 4,634 "accidents" resulting in 118 deaths and 3,910 injuries were reported to the Canadian Transport Commission. One such accident in November 1979--which caused the evacuation of 250,000 residents of Mississauga because of possible leakage of chlorine gas from a derailed freight train--brought the issue of railway safety sharply into public view. This event, the ensuing commission of inquiry (Grange Commission), and a rash of other derailments both in Canada and abroad, have ensured continued media attention and public pressure for greater safety in railway operations. The Grange recommendations were made without reference to the cost of implementation or to the benefits--other than that of "greater safety". This report examines some of the major aspects of cost/benefit analysis required for evaluation of railway safety proposals.

Corporate Authors:
Canadian Institute of Guided Ground Transport

Queen's University
Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada

Canadian Transport Commission

275 Slater Street
Ottawa, ONo K1A 0N9, Canada
Authors:
- SCHWIER, C
- Lake, R W
- King, A W
Publication Date: 1981-3

Media Info

Features: Appendices; Tables;
Pagination: 24 p.

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Casualties; Chlorine; Crashes; Derailments; Hazardous materials; Legislation; Regulations; Risk analysis; Safety; Standards; Statistical analysis; Tank cars
Uncontrolled Terms: Safety standards
Geographic Terms: Canada
Old TRIS Terms: Government regulations
Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Law; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 00334958
Record Type: Publication
Report/Paper Numbers: CIGGT Rpt 80-19 Final Rpt.
Files: TRIS
Created Date: Jul 9 1981 12:00AM