Canadian Pacific (CP) has joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in calling for the Minister of Transport to implement Locomotive Voice and Video Recorders (LVVR) as soon as possible.
The TSB released “Expanding the Use of Locomotive Voice and Video Recorders in Canada”, a study in which TSB Chair Kathy Fox noted that LVVR data should be “used in the context of a pro-active, non-punitive safety management system” that would help “railways identify and mitigate risks before accidents occur.”
CP reiterates that the true value in LVVR technology lies in shaping behavior and preventing accidents before they happen, and argues that without a pre-emptive disciplinary option, LVVR would do little to improve safety.
“While I commend the TSB for the work they have done on this issue, today's report does little to improve rail safety,” stated Keith Creel, CP's president and chief operating officer. “I implore Minister Garneau to show political leadership by implementing LVVR as a preventative, proactive, behavior-changing tool.”
“This technology needs to be implemented, but it needs to be used in a way that reinforces sound safety practices and rewards safe behaviors," continued Creel. “On one hand, the TSB is saying yes to accident prevention but on the other, it refuses to allow the railroad to take appropriate corrective action, including applying disciplinary consequences, in the event of unsafe behaviors.”
Opponents of LVRR are concerned about how railways would use the information, commenting that employees have a right to privacy while at work and recordings would be used for disciplinary purposes. CP believes the need to prevent accidents outweighs these concerns and is prepared to implement procedures ensuring a tight control of LVVR information that could only be used within strict guidelines. CP has submitted its views to the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel
“Not allowing LVVR to be used proactively is like giving highway police officers radar guns but not permitting them to hand out speeding tickets,” Creel said. “Without consequences, unsafe behaviors would simply continue.”
“The safety of our communities trumps personal privacy, plain and simple,” concluded Creel. “To put a finer point on what the TSB has issued today, I will say this: I would much rather prevent a death, than explain one.”
CP uses LVVR technology in 15 of its locomotives in the United States. The technology is also being used successfully by others in the United States, with studies showing a 40-percent reduction in collisions per million miles travelled.