Resolution No. 36-01A

WHEREAS, railcars are difficult to see; and

WHEREAS, small towns are disappearing and rail crossings are more difficult to identify;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in an effort to improve safety, SARM lobby the appropriate agency to have mandatory reflection material placed on all the sides of railcars.

Response from Hon. David M. Collenette:

This resolution requests that mandatory reflective material be placed on all sides of rail cars. There is currently a regulation in place requiring reflective markings on freight cars. Starting in 1959, a number of orders from the Board of Transport Commissioners for Canada required Canadian railways to display reflectors on both sides of all Canadian-owned freight cars.

The industry has recently upgraded the type of reflectors to prismatic reflectorized markings similar to the conspicuity tape used on commercial vehicles. The new reflectors are required on all cars built for Canadian railways and are installed on existing cars when they enter railway shops for refurbished or heavy repair.

Transport Canada is currently beginning discussions with the railway industry to review the requirements for reflective markings on freight cars and their maintenance.