The Standards Council of Canada and Metrolinx Accelerating Innovation in Public Transportation
Public transit is a vital part of Canada’s transportation system and critical to ensuring sustainable growth of Canada’s urban centres. Metrolinx is undertaking the largest transportation investment in Ontario’s history to expand transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. As a result, the GTHA has become the hub of some of the largest infrastructure projects in North America. As part of these upgrades, Metrolinx has launched its “Safety Never Stops” program, which includes across the board improvements to ensure the highest standards of rigour are applied to transportation projects.
To further this effort, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and Metrolinx joined forces to establish a Canadian Independent Safety Assessor program for Railway Systems in line with global best practices in safety and system assurance. The expansion of GO Train commuter rail service in the GTHA will benefit from the rigour and independent review this new program will enable. The program is based on a third-party independent inspection model where Independent Safety Assessors (ISAs), who have earned accreditation by SCC, will undertake independent safety assessments of the risk management process to ensure all potential hazards are identified and well managed. Accredited ISAs can play a vital role not only in assuring safety during the design, build and commissioning phases of a project, but also for ongoing inspection of the rail network once in operation.
Conformity assessments are widely used in other countries, outside of North America, but this program will be the first of its kind in North America. The Independent Safety Assessor program for Railway Systems enables customers to have an even greater degree of confidence in Metrolinx’s expansion investments and a reliable pathway for bringing new technologies into service to improve overall safety while reducing journey times and improving the overall customer experience.
SCC is very pleased to collaborate with Metrolinx to work towards increasing safety within the transit industry while advancing innovation. As Canada’s leading accreditation organization, SCC plays a central role in advancing coordinated and inclusive discussions on how standards and conformity assessment can support an effective regulatory framework for urban rail technologies in Canada.
- Chantal Guay CEO of SCC.
Metrolinx is proud to be working with the Standards Council of Canada to lead the development of safety and system assurance processes in Canada as they relate to the transportation industry. ‘Everyone home safe, every day’ is more than a mantra; it is a commitment to continuously improve our systems and processes at all stages of our projects.
– Martin Gallagher, Chief Safety Officer of Metrolinx
Metrolinx is also working with CSA Group, a standards development organization accredited by SCC, to develop a new National Standard of Canada. The goal is to eventually expand the conformity assessment program across the country so all Canadians can benefit from safer and cleaner transit technologies.
About SCC
Established in 1970 as a federal Crown corporation, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is Canada’s voice on standards and accreditation on the national and international stage. SCC works closely with a vast network of partners to promote the development of effective and efficient standards that protect the health, safety and well-being of Canadians while helping businesses prosper. As Canada’s leading accreditation organization, SCC creates market confidence at home and abroad by ensuring that conformity assessment bodies meet the highest national and international standards. SCC advances Canada’s interest on the international scene as a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) by connecting thousands of people to global networks and resources, opening a world of possibilities for Canadians and businesses.
About Metrolinx
Metrolinx is the government of Ontario’s regional transportation agency, which is undertaking the largest transportation investment in Ontario’s history to get you where you need to go better, faster, easier, while also operating GO Transit, UP Express and PRESTO. Metrolinx has the unique opportunity to plan, build, operate and connect transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.