Transport Canada OKs changes to track inspection regs

Transport Canada has approved another phase of changes to the Rules Respecting Track Safety, the government's railway track inspection regulations.

The changes will require railroads to:
• increase the frequency of railway track inspections in higher risk areas where trains travel at faster speeds while carrying a greater tonnage of freight;
• follow new procedures governing the use of advanced automated track inspection technology; and
• ensure inspection data clearly identifies the exact date and track mileage of any track inspection so that rail safety inspectors can effectively verify compliance with regulatory requirements.

"The latest changes ... will improve inspection and data collection practices and improve safety for those who live and work near Canada's railway network," said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra in a press release.