Railway Association of Canada announces 2024 Safety Awards

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) last week announced the winners of its 2024 Safety Awards, which annually highlight safety programs and proactive measures taken by Canadian railroads.

This year’s winners are CN, Genessee & Wyoming Canada, Metrolinx and VIA Rail Canada.

Winning programs are ones that improve safety for the public, employees and the environment through technology, employee training or community safety initiatives, RAC officials said in a press release.

This year's winners are:

• CN’s Slack Simulator, which simulates in-train forces to provide realistic training for conductors to enhance safety and reduce injury risks;

• Genessee & Wyoming Canada’s fatigue self-assessment app, which helps employees assess and report duty readiness based on criteria established in the Duty and Rest Period Rules. The app also notifies employees and supervisors if rest requirements are not met; 

• Metrolinx's new e-bike strategy that bans uncertified e-bikes from being transported on Metrolinx trains and buses, a measure designed to protect riders, staff and operations from unregulated and potentially dangerous equipment. At the same time, Metrolinx is increasing capacity on trains for e-bikes with batteries that meet certifications; and

• VIA Rail’s “Safety from the Get-Go" internal safety culture campaign, which leverages messages from employees' children calling for making safety protocol personal.