All Working Group members agreed that installing the devices on a voluntary basis is the preferred approach.
By the end of 2013, VIA Rail is committed, on a voluntary basis, to test and install voice recording on its 73 locomotives by adding cab microphones to the existing outward facing video recording system. However, more testing is required to determine optimal solutions with respect to location of microphones and crashworthiness of the recording devices.
The Working Group is also of the opinion that since voice recording was referenced on five occasions in TSB's investigation reports since 1991 and that three of those accidents involved VIA Rail passenger trains, the recommended option may satisfactorily address the TSB concerns.
Furthermore, VIA Rail and the Teamsters Canadian Rail Conference would be open to a collaborative approach whereby voice recordings could be used for monitoring in-cab communications and therefore, provide a valuable safety tool. However, in order to do so, Section 28 of the CTAISB Act must be clarified to accurately determine if on-board recordings can be used beyond the scope of a TSB investigation.