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Section 2: Analysis of Program Activities

2.1 Strategic Outcome

The mitigation of risks to the safety of the transportation system through independent accident investigations.

2.2 Program Activities

The TSB has four key program activities, which are the conduct of safety investigations in the following four transportation sectors:

• Marine
• Pipeline
• Rail
• Air

Within each program, personnel conduct independent safety investigations into selected transportation occurrences. They identify causes and contributing factors, assess risks to the system, formulate recommendations to improve safety, publish investigation reports, communicate safety information to stakeholders, undertake outreach activities with key change agents, as well as assess and follow up on responses to recommendations. These activities are carried out by highly qualified investigators who are experts in the transportation operational sectors. They also work closely with personnel who are responsible for executing specialized work in the following fields: engineering and technical, macro-analysis, human performance and communications.

The Internal Services also contribute to the achievement of TSB's strategic outcome. They consist of the groups of activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of the TSB. These groups are: management and oversight services; human resources services; financial and administrative services (including facilities, materiel and acquisition services); information management services; and information technology services.

2.3 Benefits for Canadians

Transportation safety is a shared responsibility and the TSB acts as a catalyst in persuading the industry and government to find solutions to address the safety deficiencies we have found. Most of the investigations led by TSB program personnel this year once again contributed to modifying operating practices, equipment or regulations governing the transportation industry. These changes helped to promote transportation safety on our waterways, along our pipelines and railways, and in our air space. As a result, a greater number of Canadians reached their destinations safely, both nationally and abroad. For detailed information on TSB activities in the four transportation sectors, see the TSB's 2008-2009 Annual Report to Parliament at http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/publications/index.asp

2.4 Performance Analysis by Program Activity

The following tables present the expected results, performance indicators and targets for each of the TSB's program activities.

2.4.1 Marine Investigations

Program Activity: Marine Investigations

2008-2009 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-2009 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
6,947	7,066	6,957	56	50	6

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status and Summary
Increased productivity while conducting investigations	Number of investigation reports published	Publication of 18 investigation reports	Target all met. The TSB published 18 reports.
	Average time for completing investigation reports	Average time for completing investigation reports is less than 790 days.	Target mostly met. The average time for completing the reports was 796 days.
	Number of safety communications issued	Not determined	The TSB issued: 2 safety recommendations 7 safety advisories 12 information letters
Increased effectiveness of safety communications	Results of Board assessment of responses to recommendations over a 10-year period	Not determined	From 1999 to 2008, 87% of responses to recommendations were assigned a fully satisfactory or satisfactory intent rating.

Performance Analysis

The TSB published 18 marine investigation reports and reduced the average time to complete a report to 796 days, or 6 days more than the target objective. However, it must be pointed out that, among the 18 reports completed, 2 were finished within 304 days. A comparison of the results from this year and last year shows the same number of investigations undertaken and a slight drop in the number of investigations completed, 18 compared with 19. Among the 18 investigations completed, 1 was started in this fiscal year, 18% (3) in 2007-2008, 47% (8) in 2006-2007 and 33% (6) in previous fiscal years. The average time to complete an investigation report fell from 936 days in 2007-2008 to 796 days in 2008-2009, a decrease of 15%.

From 1999 to 2008, the large majority of marine safety recommendations that were assessed by the Board have resulted in positive changes. The change agents took or intend to take measures to substantially reduce the deficiencies described in the recommendations in 87% of cases.

2.4.2 Pipeline Investigations

Program Activity: Pipeline Investigations

2008-2009 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-2009 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
586	642	574	4	4	0

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status and Summary
Increased productivity while conducting investigations	Number of investigation reports published	Publication of 2 investigation reports	Target met. The TSB published 2 reports.
	Average time for completing investigation reports	Average time for completing investigation reports is less than 548 days.	Target exceeded. The average time for completing the reports was 542 days.
	Number of safety communications issued	Not determined	The TSB issued: 1 information letter
Increased effectiveness of safety communications	Results of Board assessment of responses to recommendations over a 10-year period	Not determined	From 1999 to 2008, 100% of responses to recommendations were assigned a fully satisfactory or satisfactory intent rating.

Performance Analysis

The TSB published 2 pipeline investigation reports. A comparison of the results from this year and last year shows that the TSB undertook one new investigation rather than two and completed two investigations, similar to last year. The two completed investigations had been started in the previous fiscal year. Furthermore, the average time to complete an investigation report rose from 489 days in 2007-2008 to 542 days in 2008-2009, an increase of 10.8%. From 1999 to 2008, the single recommendation that was assessed by the Board resulted in positive changes.

2.4.3 Rail Investigations

Program Activity: Rail Investigations

2008-2009 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-2009 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
6,321	6,745	6,408	48	44	4

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status and Summary
Increased productivity while conducting investigations	Number of investigation reports published	Publication of 20 investigation reports	Target exceeded. The TSB published 22 reports.
	Average time for completing investigation reports	Average time for completing investigation reports is less than 548 days.	Target exceeded. The average time for completing the reports was 539 days.
	Number of safety communications issued	Not determined	The TSB issued: 2 safety recommendations 11 safety advisories 12 information letters
Increased effectiveness of safety communications	Results of Board assessment of responses to recommendations over a 10-year period	Not determined	From 1999 to 2008, 78% of responses to recommendations were assigned a fully satisfactory or satisfactory intent rating.

Performance Analysis

The TSB published 22 rail investigation reports. These reports were completed within an average period of 539 days, or 9 days less than the target objective. A comparison of the results from this year and last year shows the same number of investigations undertaken and an increase of 57% in the number of investigations completed, 22 compared with 14. Among the 22 investigations completed, 4.5% (1) were started in this fiscal year, 40.9% (9) in 2007-2008, 50.0% (11) in 2006-2007 and one was started prior to this. The average time to complete an investigation report fell from 697 days in 2007-2008 to 539 days in 2008-2009, a drop of 22.7%.

From 1999 to 2008, the large majority of rail safety recommendations that were assessed by the Board have resulted in positive changes. The change agents took or intend to take measures to substantially reduce the deficiencies described in the recommendations in 78% of cases.

2.4.4 Air Investigations

Program Activity: Air Investigations

2008-2009 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-2009 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
17,580	17,664	17,665	127	123	4

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status and Summary
Increased productivity while conducting investigations	Number of investigations started	The number of investigations started will not exceed the TSB's ability to produce 60 investigation reports per year.	Target met. The TSB started 43 investigations and completed 46 reports.
	Average time for completing investigation reports	Average time for completing investigation reports is less than 457 days.	Target exceeded. The average time for completing the reports was 430 days.
	Number of safety communications issued	Not determined	The TSB issued: 1 safety recommendation 13 safety advisories 8 information letters
Increased effectiveness of safety communications	Results of Board assessment of responses to recommendations over a 10-year period	Not determined	From 1999 to 2008, 75 % of responses to recommendations were assigned a fully satisfactory or satisfactory intent rating.

Performance Analysis

In 2008-2009, the TSB undertook 43 new air investigations and completed 46 reports. A comparison with last year shows a drop in the number of investigations undertaken, 43 compared with 49, and a slight drop in the number of investigations completed, 46 compared with 47. Among the 46 investigations completed, 9% (4) were started in this fiscal year, 67% (31) in 2007-2008 and 24% (11) in 2006-2007. However, the average time to complete an investigation report went from 493 days in 2007-2008 to 430 days in 2008-2009, a decrease of 12.8%. In effect, the TSB exceeded its target by producing reports in 27 fewer days than the target objective. The TSB also rapidly published the safety deficiencies it identified through safety advisories and information letters.

From 1999 to 2008, a large majority of the air safety recommendations that were assessed by the Board have resulted in positive changes. The change agents took or intend to take measures to substantially reduce the deficiencies described in the recommendations in 75% of cases.

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