Citation

Redden JWP. APWA Reporter 2005; 72(9): 76-79.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, American Public Works Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article, the new Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules governing the use of locomotive horns is addressed. These rules, collectively establishing locomotive “Quiet Zones,” are intended to moderate the overall decibel level of locomotive horns in areas with higher populations. The main concern with the adoption of these rules was the synthesis of high safety standards for grade crossing with mitigating the excessive use of high-decibel warning horns. To create a Quiet Zone, the FRA calculates a Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) and compares it to the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT). If the QZRI is found to be less than the NSRT, the new rules are not applicable; otherwise, four new requirements are put into place. These rules include: 1) the horn of the locomotive must be sounded within 15 to 20 seconds of the point of the grade crossing; 2) the horn may not be sounded further than a quarter mile from the grade crossing; 3) the minimum sound at 100 feet from the grade crossing is 96 dBa; and, 4) the maximum sound at 100 feet is not to exceed 110 dBa. The article then discusses alternatives to locomotive horn use that are known as Supplemental Safety Measures (SSM). Of these, the article discusses paired one-way streets which utilize full closure gates, median barriers with two-quadrant gates, four-quadrant gates, permanent crossing closures, and temporary crossing closures during the night hours. The article also discusses the use of wayside horns allowed for by the FRA Interim Train Horn Rule which states that these automated horns may be used in lieu of standard locomotive horns.