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Central Alberta Train Derailment Prompts Calls for Enhanced Analytics of Railcar Wheels
The agency says 1 million older wheels remain in service and better use of detector data could help prevent future derailments.
On Thursday, the Transportation Safety Board recommended the rail industry use enhanced analytics on sensor data to identify failing wheels, following a 2023 derailment near Uncas, Alberta.
The recommendations stem from an April 5, 2023, derailment where 18 Canadian National Railway Company grain cars left the tracks near Uncas, caused by a shattered rim on a wheel manufactured in 1991.
Despite multiple visual inspections, no issues were identified before failure; TSB Chair Yoan Marier noted sensors failed to identify the increasing impact trend preceding "catastrophic rim failure."
Approximately one million wheels manufactured before 2003 remain in service across Canada and the United States; Marier stated most are likely safe, though they carry greater failure risk.
Transport Canada stated it will provide a formal response to the TSB within the timeline mandated by the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act, emphasizing rail safety commitment.