Rail transportation guides
This is a guide for freight railways. It explains:
- the forms railways must submit to the CTA (Annual Certificate of Compliance for Railway Operations in Canada, Certificate of Insurance; and Detailed Volume Report);
- the minimum levels of liability insurance that freight railways must have to get and keep their railway licence (certificate of fitness);
- how the insurance levels are higher for railways that carry dangerous goods (the more the railway carries, the more insurance it must have);
- how the CTA confirms what insurance level a railway should have and monitors railways to ensure they are maintaining the proper level;
- railways' reporting responsibilities related to dangerous goods and insurance; and
- the special requirements for railways involved in accidents involving certain dangerous goods.
See also: Guide to Certificates of Fitness.
This is a guide for different levels of governments in Canada, including urban transit authorities, as well as others who want to acquire railway lines, sidings, or spurs that a railway plans to discontinue. If those involved cannot agree on the value of the line being discontinued (including the land, track assets, or other materials or structures), the CTA can help. The guide describes:
- steps the railway must follow before discontinuing a line (including offering to sell, lease, or transfer the line to someone else);
- what "net salvage value" means and how it is calculated;
- the different CTA services available for assessing or setting net salvage values;
- how to apply for the CTA service you want, including what information to send us;
- what happens once you apply (steps and timelines); and
- some past CTA decisions involving net salvage values.
See also: Transfer and Discontinuance of Railway Line Operations and Railway Track Determinations: A Resource Tool.
This is a guide for railways that want to build a line across the line of another railway. It explains:
- issues you and the other railway should consider as you negotiate;
- the benefits of filing the crossing agreement with the CTA, if you reach an agreement;
- how to apply to the CTA if you cannot reach an agreement, including what information to provide.
This is a guide for shippers and railways who are involved in Final Offer Arbitration (FOA). It explains:
- the process for finding an arbitrator the shipper and the railway agree on, which asks each side to identify their preferred arbitrators from the roster established by the CTA;
- how the CTA selects an arbitrator if the shipper and railway do not agree;
- how and when the shipper or railway can challenge the appointment of the arbitrator;
- what happens if an arbitrator leaves and must be replaced, including who pays for the arbitrator's fees up to that point.
See also: Final Offer Arbitration: A Resource Tool
This is a guide for shippers and railways. It explains:
- the different kinds of rate and service disputes that Final Offer Arbitration (FOA) can resolve;
- how to submit a final offer and what other information to provide;
- the arbitration process and costs; and
- the arbitrator's decision.
See also: Selecting an Arbitrator: A Resource Tool
This is a guide for those involved in railway crossing projects, where the crossing is a grade separation (an overhead bridge or a subway). The guide explains:
- the costs included in a basic grade separation and how these are usually distributed (apportioned) among those involved;
- how the CTA distributes the costs when those involved cannot agree; and
- issues the CTA considers before deciding how to distribute the costs.
See also Railway Crossings: A Guide and Guide to Railway Charges for Crossing Maintenance and Construction 2019.
This is a guide for towns and provinces that want to move rail lines or traffic in urban areas, but cannot get the railway to agree. It explains:
- how to apply to the CTA to order the railway to relocate; and
- the plans you must provide, including a financial plan showing the money you and others are committing to the proposed relocation.
Note: This guide also discusses certain federal government relocation grants. There is currently no money set aside for those grants. This may limit the CTA's ability to accept applications.
This is a guide for railways that want to transfer or discontinue lines. It is also for governments in Canada (including urban transit authorities) and others who may want to acquire those lines. The guide sets out the steps a railway must follow before a transfer or discontinuance and how the CTA can help with related disputes. It covers:
- how the railway must advertise the line for sale;
- the process for offering a line that does not sell to different levels of government (for any purpose they want);
- how to ask the CTA to determine the line's net salvage value or order the discontinuance, if those involved cannot agree; and
- how to ask the CTA for help with other disputes. These include whether the track is eligible for discontinuance and whether the railway is negotiating in good faith and following the steps.
See also: Guidelines Respecting Net Salvage Value Determination Applications.
This is a guide for people who have land, buildings, and other structures and works right beside a railway line. There are railway safety laws that may affect people in this situation. The guide explains that:
- people located right beside a railway line may have to let the railway onto their property for safety activities (for example, to clear brush that is blocking railway sight lines or in an emergency);
- the law may limit what these people can and can't do on their property, if the activity (for example, a construction project) would affect railway safety; and
- people who suffer losses because of these safety requirements may be owed compensation.
This is a guide for people who live or work near railways, and also for local governments and railway companies. It explains how to deal with rail noise and vibration concerns, including:
- the steps (collaborative measures) to take to find a solution;
- how to ask the CTA for help if you take these steps but still can't find a solution; and
- how the CTA resolves the complaint, including the issues it looks at to decide whether the noise or vibration is reasonable.
This guide also comes with two added documents: Noise and Vibration from Idling Locomotives and Railway Noise Measurement and Reporting Methodology. Experts from outside the CTA helped write these information items.