WHAT IS A QUIET ZONE?

A section of a rail line that contains one or more
consecutive public crossings at which locomotive
horns are not routinely sounded.
WHY HAS THE FRA ISSUED THE
TRAIN HORN RULE?



To require trains to sound a locomotive horn at
public grade crossings
To permit the creation of Quiet Zones
To promote quality of life without compromising
safety
FRA FINAL RULE


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

Issued April 27, 2005
Rule became effective June 24, 2005
Requires horns to be sounded to warn motorists at
public crossings
Provides exceptions where risk is minimized
Enables communities to establish quiet zones by
reducing the risk caused by lack of horns
CHANGES IN TRAIN HORN
REQUIREMENTS



Requires the sounding of locomotive horns when
approaching every public crossing (replacing state
law)
The horn shall be sounded no greater than ¼ mile
from the crossing and at least 15 seconds, but no
more than 20 seconds, prior to the train entering
the crossing
Sec. 229.129 defines minimum and maximum
train horn decibel levels (96dB-110dB)
WHO CAN ESTABLISH A QUIET
ZONE?



Public authority with jurisdiction for the roadway
at the crossing
If the Quiet Zone includes more than one public
authority, all agencies must agree and actions must
be taken jointly
Quiet Zones may be established irrespective of
state law
HOW ARE QUIET ZONES
CREATED?

Local governments will have two ways of creating
a quiet zone:
−
−
Show that the lack of the horn does not pose a
significant safety risk
Implement safety measures such as SSMs
(Supplementary Safety Measure) or wayside horns to
reduce excess risk associated with no horn
FOUR TYPES OF QUIET ZONES

Pre-Rule Quiet Zones:
−

Intermediate Quiet Zones:
−

Areas without train horns after October 9, 1996 and
before December 18, 2003
New Quiet Zones:
−

Areas without train horns on October 9, 1996 and on
December 18, 2003
Quiet Zones that do not qualify as Pre-Rule or
Intermediate Quiet Zones
Partial Quiet Zones:
−
A Quiet Zone where the train horns are not routinely
sounded for a specified period of time (10p.m.-7a.m.)
SSM – SUPPLEMENTAL SAFETY
MEASURES




Temporary Closures
Four-Quadrant Gates
Gates with Medians or Channelization Devices
One-way Streets with Gates
WHAT IS A WAYSIDE HORN?

A stationary horn located at a highway-rail grade
crossing, designed to provide, upon the approach
of a locomotive or train, audible warning to
oncoming motorists of the approach of a train.
−
−
−
One-for-one substitute for the train horn
Can be used within or outside of a QZ
Simplest way to reduce train horn noise
CONSIDERATIONS FOR USE OF
WAYSIDE HORNS





Temporary closure is not feasible
Not enough distance to implement raised medians
One-way street is not a viable alternative
Cost of four-quadrant gates is prohibitive
Cost effective for the community
FOUR-QUADRANT GATES
-Block access from all lanes
-Require additional railroad circuitry
MEDIAN DIVIDERS
-At least 100 feet in length
-60 feet if at intersection
Either:
-Non-mountable curbs
-Mountable with
channelization devices
WAYSIDE HORN
-Quieter, but not silent
-Reduce area impacted by sound of horn
-Sound directed at roadway
-Requires a pre-emption circuit
from rail road
WAYSIDE HORN VS. TRAIN HORN
-Directs sound toward roadway
-Impacts a smaller area
ESTIMATED COST PER CROSSING
(all crossing are required to have flashing lights and gates)
Four-quadrant gates
$200,000
Wayside horns
$30,000
Median barriers
$15,000
CITY OF O'FALLON QUIET ZONE PLAN
TO CREATE A QUIET ZONE

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
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Select the appropriate safety devices for crossings
Run FRA Quiet Zone Calculator
Schedule any necessary railroad signal work with the
railroad
Install the safety devices
Update the federal grade crossing inventory for the
crossing
File notices with the federal and local agencies and
railroad
Install “Horn Will Not Sound” signs for the motorists
The new QUIET ZONE regulations
allow communities to maintain railroad crossing safety
while reducing train noise.
NOTE: Pictures and some illustrations from the Woodharbor Associates
and the Railroad Controls Limited
RECOMMENDATIONS
Divide into two phases:
• Phase I. Include Main St., Sonderen, & Westholf
• Phase II. Include Elaine Dr., Genteman Rd/Forest Acres,
McGee Rd. & Hoff Rd.
PHASE I TREATMENT A




Main St.
(wayside horn)
Sonderen
(wayside horn)
Westhoff Rd. (closure)
Annual maintenance fee ???
With these qualifying devices, it would cost about
$60,000 each crossing or $120,000
PHASE I TREATMENT B


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Main St.
(4 quadrant crossing)
Sonderen
(medians)
Westhoff Rd. (closure)
No annual maintenance fee
With these qualifying devices, it would cost
about$260,000 (4 quad.) plus $15,000 median for
a total cost of $275,000.
PHASE I TREATMENT C





Main St.
(median)
Sonderen
(median)
Westhoff Rd. (closure)
No annual maintenance fee
With these qualifying devices, it would cost about
$15,000 at each crossing for a total of $30,000.
WHY HAVE A QUIET ZONE?

Improves overall quality of Life:
-good nights sleep, which helps heal ailments &
illnesses and improves ones judgment
-working environment

Improves property value:
-Increases homeowner's equity
-Increases city's coffer
FINANCING THE PROJECT

Form a Neighborhood Improvement District
Area of about 2500 homes & would be bounded by:
− North:
Tom Ginnever
− South:
I-70
− East:
TR Hughes
− West:
Woodlawn
− NID put on ballot by city council or petition of 2/3
property owners within the proposed district.

City Coffer
COSTS TO HOMEOWERS
Wayside Horns:
-Each home either pay one time fee of $60 or with a
20 year loan about $6 per year.
 Medians:
-Each home either pay one time fee of $30 or with a
20 year loan about $3 per year.
 Mixed Devices:
-Each home either pay one time fee of $120 or with
a 20 year loan about $12 per year. ($300,000
project, 20 year loan at 6% would be $2,150)
 All above costs does not include business.
