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TRANSPORT CANADASurface Branch – Rail Safety

Presentation to the Peace River Regional DistrictOctober 13, 2011

Jim Horbay, P.Eng.

Manager, Rail Safety - Engineering

Ana Coady, P.Eng., PTOE

Railway Works Engineer

Transport Canada – Pacific Region

New Westminster, BC

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OVERVIEW

�Transport Canada & Rail Safety

�Roles

�Responsibilities

�Financial Assistance

�Questions

Policy

Safety & Security

Programs

Corporate Services

General Counsel

Communications

HQ

Pacific

Prairie & Northern

Ontario

Quebec

Atlantic

Regions

InfrastructureCanada

Transportation Safety Board

(TSB)

(CTA)

Transportation AppealTribunal of Canada (TATC)

A SAFE & SECURE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

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RAIL SAFETY IN CANADAJurisdic

tion

Regula

tor

Regula

tees

PROMOTING RAIL SAFETY

Law (Acts)

Regulations

Standards

Policies

Regulation

Public Education

Awareness

Funding Assistance

Outreach

Exemptions, Approvals

Audits & Inspections

Monitoring

Enforcement

Oversight

Rail Safety

EngineeringSafety Management

Systems (SMS)Operations & Equipment

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RAILWAYS IN B.C.

Source: Railway Association of Canada (RAC)

ENGINEERING Grade Crossings, Bridges, Signals, Track

�Monitoring

�Inspections

�Audits

�Enforcement

�Notices, Orders

�Investigations

�Prosecution

�Outreach & Awareness

�Rail Safety Week

�Public Education

�Funding Assistance

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TRACK

GRADE CROSSINGS

Railways

Road Owners

Local Government

Transport Canada

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SIGNALS

NATURAL HAZARDS

BRIDGES

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SAFETY AT ROAD-RAIL INTERSECTIONS

Pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and others expect that the safety of grade crossings is being managed. But, often, there are incorrect assumptions that:

�The other party is responsible

�The other party is taking care of safety

�Transport Canada will determine if/when any safety improvements are required

ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, STANDARDS

Under the Railway Safety Act (RSA), responsibility for safety lies with those who are subject to the Act.

• Railway Companies

• Municipalities

• Road Authorities

• Adjacent Landowners

• General Public

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

• Grade Crossing Improvement Program (GCIP)

• Grade Crossing Closure Program (GCCP)

GRADE CROSSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (GCIP)

– Safety Improvements for Existing Crossings

– Prevent / Reduce Injury or Death Due to Railway Operations

– Crossings Open to the General Public

– 2 to 3 Projects Funded Annually in BC

– Federal Government Contribution

– Up to 80% of Eligible Costs; $550,000 max

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GRADE CROSSING CLOSURE PROGRAM (GCCP)

– Incentive to Close Unnecessary Crossings

– Federal Grant to Road Owner

– Up to $20,000 for Public Crossings

– Up to $5,000 for Private Crossings

– 1 or 2 Crossings Receive Grants Annually in BC

CONTACT US

TRANSPORT CANADA

Pacific Region - Surface Branch Suite 225 – 625 Agnes Street

New Westminster, BC V3M 5Y4

Voice: (604) 666-0011 Fax: (604) 666-7747

� Rail Safety � Operations

� Equipment

� SMS

� Engineering

� Transportation of Dangerous Goods

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT

Office of Administration

September 7, 2011

Mr. James HorbayManager, Rail Safety EngineeringTransport Canada625 Agnes StreetNew Westminster, BC V3M 5Y4

Dear Mr. Horbay:

Via Email: james.horbaytc.gc.ca

At its August 25, 2011 meeting the Regional Board received correspondencefrom the District of Hudson’s Hope regarding railway crossing maintenance.

We understand it was conveyed to Hudson’s Hope that you would be interestedin making a presentation and providing a question and answer session at aRegional District meeting. Our Board would be very pleased to have you presentat one of our meetings and extends an invitation for you to attend at yourconvenience. A meeting schedule is enclosed for your consideration.

Please contact Sheila DeCosta, Secretary of Legislative Services, at (250) 784-3223 or at SheiIa.DeCosta@prrd’bc.ca to arrange a suitable time. We lookforward to your reply.

Also for your information, we are attaching a copy of our May 27, 2011 letter tothe Honourable Rob Merrifleld, Minister of State, regarding upgrades to railwaycrossings, to which we have not yet received a reply.

Enclosure: May 27, 2011 letter to the Honourable Rob Merrifield

PLE REPLY TO:BOX 810, DAWSON CREEK. BC V1G 4H8, TELEPHONE: (250) 7843200 or 1800670-7773 FAX: (250) 784-3201EMAIL: prrd.dc@prrdbcca

09505 100 STREEt FORT St JOHN, BC V J 4N4, TELEPHONE: (260) 7858084 FAX: (250) 785-1125EMAIL: prrdfsj@prrdbcca

Yours truly,

Faye Salisbury,Corporate Officer

/dm

ACivi II©NAL DISTRICT

Office of the Chair

May27, 2011

The Honourabie Rob MerrifieldMinister of State (Transport)330 Sparks StreetOttawa, ON KIA 0N5

Dear Mr. Merrifleld:

At its April 14, 2010 meeting the Regional Board was advised by a number of its membermunicipalities that they have received notification from CN Rail that “it is the road authority’sresponsibility to pay fully for the cost of an enhanced level of protection to be Installed at anexisting public crossing....” A CN representative apparently advised the District of Taylor of theneed to upgrade rail crossings in the community to federal standards. Transport Canadanotifled Taylor that the railway crossings were unsafe and advised the district to upgrade themto the CN Rail standard. Municipalities have not budgeted for this type of work and we questionwhether or not this should be considered a municipal responsibility. Apparently somethingsimilar is happening in our rural area as well, where CN is showing a letter to property ownersthat have railway crossings on their land, and this is raising a lot of concern with our ruralresidents.

It would appear that these decisions have been made unilaterally without much, if any,consultation with local government. The Regional Board asks that you investigate thisperceived offloading of railway crossing maintenance by CN Rail with the intent of resolving thissituation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours truly,

Karen Goodings,Chair

cc: The Honourable Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructureand MLA - Peace River South

Mr. Bob Zimmer, MP Prince George-Peace RiverMr. Pat Pimm, MLA - Peace River NorthCanadian National Railway CompanyPeace River Regional District Members

Pt.EASE REPLY TO:Q 50X 810, DAWSON CREEK, BC VIG 4118, TELEPHONE: (250) 7844200 or 1800-6707773 FAX: (250) 784-3201

EMA!L prrd.dcprrd.bcca

D 9505. 100 $TREE1 FORT St JOHN, BC VIJ 4N4, TELEPHONE: (250) 785-8084 FAX: (250) 785-1125EMAIL: pcrd.lsj@prrd.bc.ca