CP call for safety cameras
Canadian Pacific has launched an awareness campaign that highlights the safety benefits of the proactive use of inward-facing cameras, and continues to urge the Canadian Minister of Transport to pass new legislation that would maximise these benefits.
The campaign’s website, www.cprailsafe.ca, specifies how CP intends to use the technology to reduce risk, improve safety, and assist in preventing accidents. CP is prepared to further invest in and install inward-facing cameras, also known as locomotive video and voice recorders (LVVR), if they can be used to proactively improve safety. The use of this technology would immediately enhance a culture of safety and accountability in the rail sector.
CP’s CEO, Keith Creel said: “We are proud to be running the safest railway in North America, but we can always do better and having the ability to use inward-facing cameras allows us to be even safer. This is a preventative, proactive, behaviour-changing tool the industry should have been allowed to use years ago.”
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has been calling on Transport Canada to mandate this technology since 2012. Current regulations allow inward-facing cameras to be used only by the TSB for post-incident investigation.
Keith said: “Having the ability to use this technology in a proactive manner as opposed to only after the fact would allow us to prevent incidents, instead of explaining them.
“This technology would be another tool in the broader package of rules, regulations and our safety management system suite – each of which protects the public, our employees and the goods we transport for our customers. We recognise the need to use this technology in a way that is respectful of our employees, and are committed to doing so.”
CP uses inward-facing cameras in 49 of its locomotives in the US. The technology is also being used successfully by other transportation companies in the U.S. with studies showing a 40% reduction in collisions per million miles travelled.
For 11 consecutive years, CP has been the safest Class 1 railroad in North America, measured by train-accident frequency. In 2016, CP celebrated its lowest-ever train accident frequency.
Keith said: “This government has made rail safety a focus. We implore the government to do what is right and legislate the proactive use of inward-facing locomotive cameras.”
For more information visit www.cpr.ca
27th Feb 2017
