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PreventionofMunicipal–RailwayProximitySafetyIssuesthroughEffectiveLandUsePlanning
ASubmissiontotheRailwaySafetyActReviewPanel
September22,2017
FCM/RACProximityInitiative
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TableofContents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
BackgroundHistory………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3
ProximityIssues……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
FCM-RACGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperations………………6
GuidelinesAdoption…………………………………………………………………………………………………………8
ProvincialLegislation………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8
CanadianTransportationAgencyDecision69R-2014……………………………………………………….10
Recommendation34oftheRailSafetyActReview(2007)Chapter7………………………………11
TransportCanadaLandUseRole……………………………………………………………………………………..12
RecommendationsforImprovingProximityIssuesinCanada………………………………………….13
Appendix1–FCM-RACMOU2016…………………………………………………………………………………..14
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Introduction
TheFederationofCanadianMunicipalities(FCM)–RailwayAssociationofCanada(RAC)ProximityInitiativemembersbelievethatourmodelofcollaborationdemonstratesthatmunicipalities,railwaysandthefederalgovernmentcanworktogethertoimproverailsafety.TheFCM-RACGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperationsdemonstratehowwecanbuildbettertodaytoavoidproximitysafetyissuesinherentwhenurbandevelopmentandrailwaysareincloseproximity.Thepushtointensifyurbandevelopmenttoavoidurbansprawlhasledtoincreaseddevelopmentonlandsincloseproximitytorailoperationsandhassometimesresultedinencroachmentonrailwayproperty.Thesenewdevelopmentsincludetheconversionsofindustrialorcommercialpropertiestoresidentialones,sometimesbuiltwithoutanymitigationmeasuresandsitednexttomajorrailwaycorridors.Thisabsenceofmitigationmeasurescreatesserioussafetyandqualityoflifeissuesforresidentsduetothelackofcrashwalls,noiseandvibrationmitigationandproperseparationbarrierstopreventtrespassing.Whenproximityissuesarisingfromthegrowthandexpansionofrailfacilitiesorcommunitiesarenotunderstoodandaddressed,problemscanoftenbeintractableandlonglasting.ThisreviewprovidesanimportantopportunitytodiscusstheseissuesandtheirsignificanceasweplanandlookaheadattransportationpolicyinCanada.TheFCM-RACProximityInitiativeappreciatestheopportunitytoprovidethissubmissiontotheRailwaySafetyActReviewPanel.
BackgroundHistory
TheFederationofCanadianMunicipalities(FCM)andtheRailwayAssociationofCanada(RAC)arecommittedtobuildingacommonapproachtothepreventionandresolutionofissuesthatmayarisewhenpeopleliveandworkincloseproximitytorailwayoperations.Therearerailwayslinesinserviceinover2000municipalitiesacrossCanada.
Buildingonback-to-backmemorandumsofunderstanding(MOU)since2003,bothorganizationscontinuetoworktogetherwiththeirmostrecentopen-endedMOUsignedinSeptember2016.TheFCM–RACProximityInitiativeSteeringCommitteewasestablishedin2003,withequalrepresentationfromtheFCM(electedofficials)andRAC(seniorrailwayrepresentatives)andincludesobserversfromTransportCanadaandtheCanadianTransportationAgency(CTA).
ThethreemaingoalsoftheoriginalMOUwereto:buildawareness,establishguidelinesanddevelopdisputeresolutionprotocolsandprocesses.In2016,theMOUwasreviewedandupdatedtoincludeguidanceforengagingwithProvincialGovernments(seeAppendix1).
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AccomplishmentstodateincludedevelopingadisputeresolutionmodelthatisincludedintheCTAGuidelinesfortheResolutionofComplaintsoverRailwayNoiseandVibration,anddevelopingandpublishingProximityGuidelinesandBestPracticesin2004.Theseinitialguidelineswerereviewed,editedandrevisedtoincludeconversionandinfillprojectsandlaunchedinMay2013attheFCMAnnualConferenceastheGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperations.1
ProximityIssues
MostofCanada’smunicipalitieshaveevolvedaroundrailwaylinesandtheservicestheydelivertothecommunity.Whilerailoperationsincommunitieshavebeenmutuallybeneficial,theirproximitycansometimesleadtoissuesbetweenpeopleandtrains.
Canadiansarelivingandworkingaroundtrainsandtheirlines.Theyarealsooptingtoleavetheircarathomeinfavourofcommutingbytrain.Commuterrailcarriesabout77millionpassengersperyear2andthatnumberisontherise.ButasCanadabecomesmoreurbanizedandcitiestrytominimizeurbansprawl,manynewresidentialdevelopmentsarebeingbuiltonsitesincloseproximitytorailfacilitiesinbothurbanandruralcommunities,creatingchallengesforthesecommunitiesandrailwaystoco-exist.Bothparties'goalsarethesame.Railwaysandcommunitiesbothwanttoreducepollution,congestionandcostswhileprioritizingsafetyandconvenience.
Aswithanyothertransportmode'sinfrastructure(e.g.airports,truckdepots),railfacilitiesarelocatedallacrossthecountryandoperate24/7,oftenintheproximityofhighlypopulatedcommunities.AsCanadabecomesincreasinglyurbanized,railroadsandpeoplearelivingclosertogetherasdevelopmentgrowsaroundrailfacilities.Peoplelivingandworkingnearthesefacilities(suchasrailtracksoryards)canbeimpactedbynoiseandvibrationfromtrainoperations.Thismayincludetrainwhistling,wheelsqueal,idlingoflocomotives,andshuntingofcarsinyards.Inaddition,theconstructionandmaintenanceofrailinfrastructuresuchasrailbridges,signals,trackandbuildingscanfurthercomplicatenoiseandvibrationissues.Constructionandmaintenancerelatedtohighway-railwaycrossingscanbedisruptivetopublicconvenience.Railwaystrytominimizetheadverseeffectsoftheiroperationsonpeoplelivingnearbythroughinitiativessuchastrackgreasingandequippinglocomotiveswithanti-idlingdevices.
Theissueofsafetyisalsosometimesnotfullyconsideredinnewdevelopmentprojectsinproximitytoexistingrailwayoperations.Thisincludesthedangeroftrainderailmentsimpacting
1http://www.proximityissues.ca2RailwayAssociationofCanada(2016),RailTrends,CommuterRail,P.20,Retrievedfrom:http://www.railcan.ca/publications/trends
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homesandlives,theconstructionofnewgradecrossings,andadjacentlandusesthatcreatetrespassingissuesacrossrailways.Thesafetyissuesnotedinthe2007RailSafetyActReview’sfinalreportcontinuetoday:
“Weareconvincedfromourconsultationsthatthereisaneedtoimproveandformalizethecommunicationbetweenmunicipaljurisdictionsandtherailwaysonthesafetyimplicationsoflanduseandroadaccessnearrailwayproperties.Rolesandresponsibilitiesshouldbeclarifiedandrecognized.Municipalitiesandland-owners,includingtherailways,shouldengageinrobustconsultationduringthedesignandplanningstagesforlanduseandnon-railwayworksnearrailwaylines.Municipalitiesshouldensurethataccessroadsfornewsubdivisionsarebuilttoexistingpubliccrossings,andtheyshouldtakeresponsibilityforthecrossingsduringthedevelopmentphase.Thecostsfortheongoingmaintenanceofthecrossingsshouldalsobeconsideredinplanning.Municipalitiesmightneedtorequiredeveloperstoabsorbthecostsofcrossingupgradestoaccommodatenewlanduses.”3
3RailwaySafetyActReviewAdvisoryPanel(November2007).StrongerTies:ASharedCommitmenttoRailwaySafety,P.107,https://tc.gc.ca/tcss/RSA_Review-Examen_LSF
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FCM-RACGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperations
TheFCM-RACProximityInitiativedevelopedtherevisedGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperations(Guidelines)inMay2013whichbuiltuponanearlierversionofBestPracticesandGuidelinesissuedin2003.ThesenewGuidelinesareintendedtoassistmunicipalgovernmentsandrailwaysinreviewinganddetermininggeneralplanningpolicieswhendevelopingonlandsinproximitytorailwayfacilities,aswellastoestablishaprocessformakingsite-specificrecommendationsanddecisionstoreduceland-useincompatibilitiesfordevelopmentsinproximitytorailwayoperations,addressingsuchissuesassafety,noiseandvibration.Akeycomponentisamodelreviewprocessfornewresidentialdevelopment,infill,andconversionsinproximitytorailways.Adoptionoftheseguidelinesintomunicipallanduseregulationscanprovidegreaterassurancethatourcommunitiesofthefuturearesafeandsustainable.
ThedesiretoensuresafetyandpromoteahighqualityoflifeforpeoplelivingandworkingincloseproximitytorailwaycorridorsisaprincipleobjectiveoftheGuidelines.Mitigationintheformofastandardsetbackandbermorcrashwallaremeasuresthathavebeendevelopedbytherailwaysbasedonadetailedanalysisofpastincidentsandderailments.
Figure1-Standardmitigationforanewresidentialdevelopmentinproximitytoamainlinerailway.Source:FCM-RACGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperations,P.19.
GreenfieldDevelopments
Standardmitigation(Figure1)measuresserveasaminimumrequirementtoreduceincompatibilityissuesassociatedwithlocatingnewdevelopmentinproximitytorailwaycorridors.Thesemeasuresaremosteasilyimplementedinnewgreenfielddevelopments.
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Thesetbackcontributestothemitigationagainstpotentialimpactofrailwayincidentsaswellasnoiseandvibrationthroughdistanceseparation.Theearthenberminconjunctionwiththesetbackcanprotectagainstthephysicalcomponentsofaderailmentandprovidesmitigationofwheelandrailnoise.Italsoreducestheoverallnoisebarrierheightandcost,andoffersaproductiveuseoffoundationexcavations.
Source:FCM-RACGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperations,P.27.
InfillandConversionsTodayweoftenseeconversionandinfillprojectsinurbanareasthatarelocatednexttorailwaycorridorswithoutcrashwallsorsite-specificmitigationmeasuresleadingtomorenoise,vibrationandsafetyissuesformunicipalitiesandrailways.Conversionsandinfilldevelopments(Figure2)areagoodwaytointensifyandbringresidentsbacktocitycentres,buttheseconstructionsmustaddresssafety,noise,vibrationandotherproximityissues.Manyoftheadverseimpactsofrailwaynoisecanbeavoidedorminimizedthroughgooddesignpracticesandsafetyissuesandcanbeaddressedthroughtheincorporationofcrashwalls. Inaninfillorconversiondevelopment,thenoisesensitiverooms,suchasbedrooms,shouldbelocatedonthe“quietside”ofthebuilding.Buildingonapodiumandlocatingthegymorgaragespacesonthesegroundfloors–movestheresidentsfurtherfromthenoiseandvibrationsourceandprovidesanadditionalsafetysetback.TheGuidelinesalsoprovideaDevelopmentViabilityAssessmentprocessforidentifyingalternativesolutionswherethestandardmeasuresarenotworkable.TheintentoftheGuidelinesisto:
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• Promoteawarenessaroundthesafety,noiseandvibrationissuesandmitigationmeasuresassociatedwithdevelopmentnearrailwayoperations;
• Establisheffectiveapprovalsprocessesfornewresidentialdevelopment,infillandconversionsfromindustrialorcommercialusesthatallowsmunicipalplannerstoeffectivelyevaluatesuchproposalswhileensuringthatappropriatesafety,noiseandvibrationmitigationmeasuresareincluded;and
• Promotegreaterconsistencyintheapplicationofrelevantstandardsacrossthecountry.
GuidelinesAdoptionThereisaneedinCanadaforplanningsystemsthatmoreeffectivelyanticipateandmanageproximityissues,andbetterfacilitatemunicipalandrailwaygrowth.Goodplanningsupportseffectivetransportationsystemsandaddressessafetyissues.However,approachesfordealingwithland-usedecisionsinvolvingdevelopmentsinproximitytorailwaysvarygreatlyatthemunicipallevel.
TheFCM-RACProximityInitiativehasanannualoutreachprogramtopromotetheGuidelinesthroughpresentationsandparticipationatconferencesacrossCanada,includingmunicipalassociations,urbanplanningassociations,urbanplanningschools,industryassociations,municipalcouncils,localgovernmentassociations,provincialmunicipalassociations,transportationassociations,developmentandreal-estategroupsandprovinciallanduseministries.
TheAgglomerationofMontrealthatincludestheCityofMontrealandthefifteenindependentcitiesontheIslandofMontrealwasthefirstmajorurbanareatoadopttheGuidelinesintoitslanduseplaninJanuary2015.4TenothermajorcitiesarereviewingtheGuidelinesandmorethan175othermunicipalitieshaveadopted,orareusing,theGuidelinesintheirpermittingprocess.
ProvincialLegislation
WhilethereisincreasedinterestandactivitybymunicipalitiesinadoptingtheGuidelines,havingprovincialgovernmentsadopttheGuidelinesintotheirprovinciallanduseacts,andultimatelymunicipalland-useplans,wouldensureconsistencyinsafetyandlivabilityacrossthecountry.Thiswouldprovideaframeworktoeffectivelyanticipateandmanageproximityissues,andtobetterfacilitatemunicipalandrailwaygrowth.
4Schémad’aménagementetdedéveloppementdel’agglomérationdeMontréal,Chapitre4–Ledocumentcomplémentaire,4.8.3.
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CurrentlytheGovernmentofSaskatchewan,MinistryofGovernmentRelations,CommunityPlanning,arereviewinginputfromstakeholders(membersoftheProximityGovernmentRelationsCommitteeattended)regardingamendmentstoThePlanningandDevelopmentAct,2007(PDA).TheMinistryconsultedonfiveplanninganddevelopment-relatedthemesthatincludedplanninginproximitytorailwayoperations.ItisanticipatedthatthenewlegislationwillbeenactedbyMay2018,butitisnotknownifthefinalchangeswillincludeanyzoningorlandusechangeswithregardstosetbacksormitigationmeasuresforproximityissues.
TheProvinceofOntariohasenactedlegislationanddevelopedguidelineswithregardstolanduseplanningandrail–municipalproximitymanagement.TheProximityInitiativeparticipatedinboththereviewoftheProvincialPolicyStatement(PPS)in2013andthecreationoftheFreightSupportiveGuidelinesin2014.Asaresultofthisengagement,theOntarioMinistryofMunicipalAffairsandHousinghaveincludedmanyaspectsoftheGuidelinesintheirPPSthatbecameeffectiveonApril30,2014.5UnderthePlanningAct,municipalitiesmustreviseandupdatetheirofficialplaneveryfiveyearstoensurethatitconformstoprovincialplansandisconsistentwiththePPS:“AllmunicipalofficialplansanddecisionsaffectingaplanningmatterinOntarioarerequiredtobeconsistentwiththepoliciessetoutinthePPS.ThePPSprovidespolicydirectiononmattersofprovincialinterestrelatedtolanduseplanninganddevelopment,includingprovidingspecificdirectiononfreight-supportivelandusepatterns,protectionofmajor-goodsmovementfacilitiesandcorridorsandplanninginvicinityofmajorfacilities.”6
TheOntarioMinistryofTransportation’sFreightSupportiveGuidelinesareintendedto“helpmunicipalities,planners,engineers,developersandotherpractitionerscreatesafeandefficientfreight-supportivecommunities.Bycoordinatinglanduseplanningandfreightmobilityplanning,theGuidelineshelptorespondtoindustryneedsforfreightmovementinOntario,aswellasprovidelinkagesbetweenfreightmovementandlanduseplanningpolicyandpractice.”7TheFreightSupportiveGuidelinesareintendedtocomplementandbeinaccordancewiththeexistingprovincialpolicyframeworkbyprovidingstrategies,informationandknowledgetoassistmunicipalitiesinimplementingfreight-supportivepoliciesintheirofficialplans.
RegulationsunderOntario’sPlanningActalsorequirerailwaystobenotifiedofofficialplans(andamendments),subdivisionplans,zoningbylawsandconsentstoseverlands,iftheproposalinvolvesanylandwithin300metresofarailwayline.Thisallowstherailwaysto
5OntarioMinistryofMunicipalAffairsandMinistryofHousing(2014),2014ProvincialPolicyStatement,http://www.mah.gov.on.ca6OntarioMinistryofTransportation(2016)FreightSupportiveGuidelines,P8http://www.mto.gov.on.ca7IbidP3
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reviewproposeddevelopmentsandsubmitrecommendationsregardingincompatibilityorsafetyissues.DisputescanbebroughttotheOntarioMunicipalBoardforadjudication.8
NewBrunswickhasalsoadoptedasimilarnotificationprocessintheirsubdivisionbylawsunderBill45,anActRespectingLocalGovernanceandCommunityPlanning(May5,2017).ThiswillcomeintoeffectonJanuary1,2018.9Whilewearepleasedwiththisdecision,itisimportanttonotethatitonlyappliestonewsub-divisionsandisnotbinding.
Whilenotificationprocessesopenadialogbetweenthemunicipalityandrailway,theyarenotbindingandinthecaseofOntarioandtheOntarioMunicipalBoard,arbitrationprocesscanbelengthyandcostlyforbothmunicipalitiesandrailways.InNewBrunswick,therailwaysaretobegivenatimelimitoftwoweekstofileanobjectionandthedevelopmentofficercanapprovethesubdivisionevenifanobjectionisreceived.
TheProximityInitiativecontinuestopromotetheadoptionoftheFCM-RACGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperations,butthereisaneedforfederalleadershiptoensuresetbacksandothermitigationmeasuresforsafetyareinplaceforallnewdevelopmentsandredevelopmentprojects.
CanadianTransportationAgencyDecision69-R-2014
TheCanadaTransportationActauthorizestheCanadianTransportationAgency(theAgency)toresolvecomplaintsaboutnoiseorvibrationrelatedtoconstructionoroperationsbyfederalfreightrailwaysandpublicpassengerserviceprovidersincludingurbantransitauthorities.
TheAgencycitedtheProximityInitiative’sfirstGuidelinesandBestPractices(2004)inDecisionNo.69-R-2014inFebruary2014.ThenoiseandvibrationcomplaintwasfromaresidentofVaudreuil-Dorion,Quebec.Thecomplaintwasdismissedbasedonthefollowingdetermination:
[55]TheAgencynotesthatdespitethecloseproximitytothebusymainlinetrack,noevidencewaspresentedthattheresidentialdeveloperassessedtheimpactsoftherailwaynoiseandvibrationontheresidentialdevelopment.Noevidencewaspresentedthatthedeveloperincorporatedmitigationmeasuresintheconstructionofthehousetolessentheexposuretonoiseandvibration.10
[56]Furthermore,beyondapostfactomunicipalcouncilresolutionexpressingconcernaboutnoiseandvibrationandaffirmingthattheMunicipalityaimstoensurethatits
8RSO1990,cP19[PlanningAct].OfficialPlansandPlanAmendments,OReg545/06,cl5(9)11.9GovernmentofNewBrunswick,Bill45CommunityPlanningAct.http://www.gnb.ca/legis/bill/pd/58/3Bill-45.pdf10http://ww.otc-cta.gc.ca,Decisionsanddeterminations,Rail2014,DecisionNo.69-R-2014
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citizensgetthebestpossiblequalityoflife,thereisnoevidencebeforetheAgencyindicatingthatwhenapprovalsweresoughtforthehousingdevelopment,anyconsiderationwasgivenbytheMunicipalitytoissuesofnoiseandvibrationortotheproximityofresidencestoCP’smainline,notwithstandingtheFederationofCanadianMunicipalitiesandRailwayAssociationofCanada’sProximityGuidelinesandBestPractices,whichpre-datetheMunicipality’sdecisiontoapprovetheconstructionandofwhichtheMunicipalityshouldhavebeenaware.11
57]AMunicipalitytakesariskwhendecidingtoallowhousingdevelopmentincloseproximitytoarailwayrightofwayandtheAgencyisoftheopinionthatMunicipalitieshavearesponsibilitytoassesscompatibilityissuesbeforeapprovingahousingdevelopmentalongarailwayrightofway,andiftheyapproveadevelopment,toensurethatthenecessarymitigationmeasuresareimplemented.TheAgencynotesthattheMunicipalityapparentlyauthorizedtheresidentialconstructionalongCP’smaineast-westrailtransportationcorridor.However,therewasnoevidencepresentedtotheAgencyofanymitigationmeasureshavingbeenimplemented.Infact,CPdrawsattentiontothefactthatnobermornoisewallwasconstructed.12
TheProximityInitiativewaspleasedthattheAgencyrecognizedtheimportantcontributionoftheGuidelinesinreducingproximityissues.Thisdecisionalsoillustratesthatthefundamentalquestionofdevelopmentsincloseproximitytorailwayfacilitiesremainsunregulatedandisperpetuatedasaresultoftheabsenceofaregulatoryframework
Recommendation34oftheRailSafetyActReview(2007)
TheProximityInitiativeprovidedasubmissionduringtheRailwaySafetyActReview(2007)andapresentation(ProximityManagement&CommunityOutreachinCanada)inJuly2007.IssuesdescribedinStrongerTies:ASharedCommitmenttoRailwaySafety–ReviewoftheRailwaySafetyAct,November2007continuestoday:“Theissueofnewdevelopmentnearrailwaysisamulti-jurisdictionalchallenge,sinceland-useplanninganddevelopmentisbothaprovincialandamunicipalresponsibility,whilethemajorrailwaysandtheirrights-of-wayarefederallyregulated.Therearenoconsistentconsultationprotocolsorland-useappealmechanismsacrossthecountry,andprovincialandmunicipallandzoningandpermitproceduresvarywidely.”13
TheRailwaySafetyReviewPanel,initsfinalreportrespondedtothatconcernbynotingthat:“Wearealsoawarethatrailwaysafetydependsongoodcollaborationamongmany11Ibid12Ibid13RailwaySafetyActReviewAdvisoryPanel(November2007).StrongerTies:ASharedCommitmenttoRailwaySafety,P104,https://tc.gc.ca/tcss/RSA_Review-Examen_LSF
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stakeholderswithdifferentinterests,includingthoseatalllevelsofgovernment,publicandprivatesectororganizations,andthepublic.Thisbecameparticularlyapparentwhenissuesthatareforemostinthepublic’smind,suchasthoseinvolvingproximityofrailwaystocommunities,andenvironmentalconcerns,werebroughttoourattention.”14
ThePanelissuedRecommendation34:“TheRailwaySafetyActshouldbeamendedtorequirethedeveloperandmunicipalitiestoengageinaprocessofconsultationwithrailwaycompaniespriortoanydecisionrespectinglandusethatmayaffectrailwaysafety.”15
NoactionsresultedfromRecommendation34andasearlierstated,thesameproximityissuesinvolvingsafetycontinuetoday.
TransportCanadaLandUseRole
UnderCanada’sConstitution,provincialgovernmentshaveauthorityoverlanduseplanning.However,therearelimitedexceptions.ButinmattersofsafetyTransportCanadahasjurisdictionwhichhasbeenusedtoimposerestrictionsinlandusewithregardstoairports(aerodromes)
“Fromaregulatoryperspective,theauthorityforthedesignationofandcontroloftheuseoflandslocatedoutsideofaerodromepropertyrestswithprovincial/municipallevelsofgovernment.Theonlyexceptiontothisfact,intheaviationcase,occurswhereanairportzoningregulation,madepursuanttotheAeronauticsAct,isinforce.
TheMinisterofTransportmayexerciseauthorityonlyoverlandsthatareincludedinanAirportZoningRegulationmadepursuanttotheAct.AnAirportZoningRegulationcontainsrestrictiveclausesthatdescribetheactivitiesandusesthatarerestrictedorprohibitedandcontainsalegaldescriptionofthelandstowhichitapplies.
Restrictionsandorprohibitionscontainedinazoningregulationmayrangefromlimitingtheheightofstructurestoprohibitingspecifiedlandusesortoprohibitingfacilitiesthatmayinterferewithsignalsorcommunicationsto/fromaircraft.”16
TherearetoomanymunicipalitiesinCanadathatwouldbeimpacted(over2000)tohaveasimilarzoningregulationundertheRailwaySafetyActbuttheabovedoesdemonstratethatTransportCanadahaspreviouslyplayedaroleinregulatinglandusetoprotectthesafetyofthepublicandproperty.14Ibid,P.815Ibid,P.10716AeronauticsAct(R.S.,1985,c.A-2)
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RecommendationsforImprovingRail-MunicipalSafetyIssuesinCanadaThereisaneedforamorecomprehensiveapproachacrossCanadathatappropriatelyconsidersandcreatesalanduseframeworkfornewdevelopmentsinproximitytorailwayoperationsthatincludessetbacksandmitigationmeasurestoensuresafety.TheFCM-RACProximityInitiativeisrecommendingthattheRSAReviewPanelincludesthefollowingintheirfinalreport:
• Arecommendationtourgethefederalgovernmenttoworkcloselywithitsprovincialcounterpartstoadvancelanduseplanningbestpracticesinproximitytorailwayoperations,thatwouldincludeadoptingmandatorysetbacksand/orcrashwallsorothersite-specificmeasurespertheGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperationsbymunicipalitiesandprovincialgovernments,andsupportprovincialeffortstodevelopanotificationtorailwaysprocessthatisalignedwithprovinciallanduseregulations.
• ArecommendationtoamendtheRailwaySafetyActtorequireroadauthoritiestofirstconsideralternativestocreatingnewgradecrossings,includingupgradingandimprovingsafetyatexistingcrossingsandgrade-separatedcrossings,beforeconstructinganewgradecrossing.
• Arecommendationthatthefederalgovernmentensurethatnewcrossingsorexistingpublicorprivatecrossingsareupgradedtomeetthecurrentandfuturesafetyneedsofthelocalcommunity,andthatfederalfundingforsafetyimprovementstocrossings,includingpossiblegradeseparationsandclosures,isinplace.
Inconclusion,theFCM-RACProximityInitiativeiscommittedtocontinuingtocollaboratewithmunicipalities,railwaysandthefederalgovernmenttoimproverailsafetythroughthepromotionoftheFCM-RACGuidelinesforNewDevelopmentinProximitytoRailwayOperations.However,thereisaneedforfederalleadershiptoensurethatthereisconsistencyinsafetyforallnewdevelopmentsinproximitytorail
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Appendix1
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