CP Applauds TSB's Call for Installation of Locomotive and Voice Recorders to Enhance Safety

CALGARY, Dec. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific (CP) has reviewed the Transportation Safety Board's report on the collision between two CP freight trains near Dunmore, AB in May, 2013 and is fully supportive of the TSB's conclusion with respect to cab monitoring technology. 

CP applauds the TSB's call for the implementation of cab monitoring technology both for post-accident analysis and its use during in-train operations to prevent accidents.

"The technology has proven effective in analyzing the cause of railroad accidents, but its true value is in preventing incidents in the first place," said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Operating Officer. "We reiterate our call for the correct implementation of this tool, which has lowered the frequency of collisions by almost half in similar industries."

After U.S. transit agencies implemented monitoring technology, the National Transit Database reported the following safety improvements:

• 40 percent reduction in collisions per million miles traveled
• 30 percent reduction in passenger injuries
• 30 to 50 percent reduction in unsafe driving events
• Reduction in severity of collisions 

In its report, the TSB acknowledged that the Canadian Transportation and Safety Board Act is a barrier to the implementation of this technology in Canada.

"When this technology can be implemented elsewhere and lead to such remarkable improvements in public safety, the key question is why it wouldn't be put to use in locomotives as well," Mr. Creel added.

Immediately following the incident, CP took the appropriate actions to address the primary cause of this accident.

Safety is the highest priority at CP, where the top causes of safety failures are studied and understood, and the company's robust safety culture drives a constant system-wide evaluation of application of best practices. 

About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of Canadian Pacific.

SOURCE Canadian Pacific