advertisement

---

Today, new Canadian rules requiring reflective material on locomotives and freight cars take effect.

Applicable to all Canadian-owned locomotives and cars operated by railroads regulated under the Railway Safety Act, the federal rules outline standards for applying, maintaining and inspecting reflective materials. All locomotives must be equipped with retro-reflective sheeting within four years; all cars must be equipped with the same material within seven years.

Previously, Canada only required that reflective materials be displayed on both sides of all cars owned or leased by Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways.

“Rail cars … will be significantly more visible at night,” said Canadian Parliament member Brian Pallister in a prepared statement. “This increased visibility will reduce the likelihood that a driver will drive into the side of a train at a crossing.”