Investigation Ottawa bus-train crash

the bus after collision train.

the crash investigated transportation safety board of canada (tsb). tsb not able identify issue track s condition or operation of train. bus s driver did not have drugs or alcohol in system , did not have medical conditions have led crash. on september 28, 2013, tsb investigators , ottawa police investigators returned site of incident in order reenact crash , collect more information on might have led collision.

interim measures

on october 16, 2013, based on observations made tsb, ottawa’s transit commission, in body s first meeting since crash, outlined 4 new safety improvements level crossing site of crash. these measures clearing trees , brush area of crash site improve visibility, reducing speed along transitway approaching level crossing 60 50 kilometres per hour (37 31 mph), installing bigger signs, , installing new warning light caution buses when train coming. city stated these measures extended crossing crash occurred , these observations made tsb should not confused causes of crash.

in late fall of 2013, city of ottawa hired consultant firm mmm group study whether or not oc transpo buses should required stop @ rail crossings done in many other regions in canada. results of mmm group study released on april 9, 2014, , suggested requiring buses stop @ railway crossings increases collisions between buses , trains 17 percent, prompting oc transpo not change policy on matter.

on january 9, 2014, city of ottawa ordered employment , social development canada (esdc), part of workplace safety investigation of crash, assess safety of each railway crossing in city oc transpo buses , trains have potential of coming contact.

on february 25, 2014, tsb sent 2 letters city of ottawa. first addressed 4 incidents happened in months following bus , train collision buses went through crossing involved after warning lights started flashing before gates closed. first letter recommended city take additional measures ensure buses able safely stop @ level crossings when warning lights activated. second letter addressed incident happened on february 14, 2014, @ same level crossing 1 gate stayed down , warning lights remained on after train had passed. second letter recommends oc transpo , via rail create standard operating procedures dealing malfunctioning automated level crossings. further malfunctions of via rail crossings near site of crash led foreign affair minister , local mp john baird call resignation of via rail president steve del bosco, later replaced president yves desjardins-siciliano.

on september 24, 2014, tsb gave progress update on investigation. update mentioned 2 potential factors in crash. first potential factor bus travelling @ speed on speed limit, affecting stopping distance. second potential factor video screen located above driver s work station used keep eye on passengers on upper level of bus. update stated passenger standing @ time of crash or similar situation may have caused distraction. update recommended video screen should go blank when bus moving , more should done monitor bus speed, particularly around rail road crossings.

in july 2015, draft of tsb s report submitted city of ottawa , via rail.

final report

on december 2, 2015, report of transportation safety board of canada found driver of bus distracted video screens required monitor part of job. report made recommendations transport canada develop guidelines use of in-vehicle video screens reduce distraction, develop crashworthiness standards passenger buses, equip passenger buses crashworthy event data recorders, , develop specific guidance grade separation. last recommendation of report city of ottawa review need grade separation @ level crossings @ woodroffe avenue, transitway , fallowfield road.