Canada Road & Rail Transport - Statistics

The role of road and rail transport in the movement of dangerous goods in Canada is significant. These methods of surface transportation are estimated to carry nearly 95% of all dangerous goods in Canada. Transport Canada estimates that 70% of dangerous goods tonnage is transported by road, and 24% by rail. The remaining 7 percent are transported by air and water.

Statistics point to the growing importance of regulations related to dangerous goods transport. A 2012 study of for-hire trucking companies revealed the following statistics:

• The quantity of all goods shipped via truck increased by 17 percent between 2004 and 2012, but the quantity of dangerous goods shipped during the same period increased at nearly double that rate, or 32%.
• The top four dangerous goods shipped were crude petroleum products, gasoline and aviation fuel, fuel oils, and non-metallic minerals. The total weight of shipments in each of these categories increased from 2004 to 2012.
• By province of origin, Alberta accounted for nearly half of the total weight of dangerous goods transported by truck in 2012. This is a significant increase since 2004.

Citing statistics from 2011, Transport Canada states that 358 accidents involving dangerous goods were reported. Over 70% of these occurred during handling at transportation facilities. The remaining nearly 30% occurred during transit. Accidents were related to road transport in over 92% of the cases.

To learn more about Transporting Dangerous Goods in Canada visit our Transporting Dangerous Good by Road & Rail Online Training web page.