OTTAWA — The Government of Canada has announced two actions to address the impact of climate change on railroads — one regarding fire prevention, and the other to address efforts to make infrastructure resilient to issues such as flooding and landslides.
The fire-prevention rules, effective during the April 1-Oct. 31 fire season, require railroads:
— Reduce train speeds and increase track inspections when temperatures are high to reduce the risk of derailment caused by heat-related track conditions;
— Conduct more frequent inspections of locomotive exhaust systems to ensure they are free of deposits that could pose a fire risk;
— Implement a fire risk reduction plan, which includes monitoring fire-risk conditions, managing vegetation, reducing activities that could start fires, responding to reported fires, and engaging with communities on their plans.
These rules make permanent actions imposed in July 2021 in British Columbia following a fire that devastated the small town of Lytton, B.C. [see “Safety board to examine if train caused Lytton fire …,” Trains News Wire, July 12, 2021].
Transport Canada has also announced the launch of the Rail Climate Change Adaptation Program, to support research, development, and implementation of measures to address the impact of climate change on the rail industry. The program will provide up to C$2.2 million for cost-share research with railways, with program submissions from railways accepted through Sept. 28, 2022.
“In a period where we are seeing the impacts of climate change and extreme weather in Canada, it’s important that we do everything we can to mitigate future risks,” Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a press release. “Our new rules will protect our railways against wildfires in the context of extreme weather. At the same time, the new Rail Climate Change Adaption Program will help railways assess and adopt next generation tools to mitigate adverse issues caused by climate change.”
