Travel by rail - All aboard

The number of highway/railway grade crossing collisions and fatalities has declined significantly in the last decade. Transport Canada continues to work to further improve the system's safety. Most rail-related accidents and fatalities occur at railway crossings or as a result of persons trespassing on railway property.

Transport Canada works with its partners to improve rail safety by:

• administering programs and services to support a clear and innovative regulatory regime;
• working with railways and local communities to improve the safety of rail crossings including eliminating such crossings where possible; and
• funding awareness programs among school-aged children about the dangers of trespassing on rail property.

Quick facts

• Canada has one of the largest rail networks in the world with 48,000 kilometres of track and over 40,000 railway crossings.
• Canada’s rail system moves over 300 million tonnes of cargo each year.

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