AboutChris Holliday Expertise Questions related to contemporary passenger rail vehicles and their technology, including subway, light rail, commuter and intercity rolling stock. Includes all vehicle systems and features along with integration of the vehicles into the general railroad system.
Experience I have over 22 years of experience in the passenger rail vehicle business as both an engineering manager at a car builder and as a provider of engineering services to commuter railroads and transit agencies in the US. I have worked to apply the latest technologies to passanger rail equipment. I have worked with leaders in our industry to develop and establish Standards and Recommended practices.
Expert: Chris Holliday Date: 6/28/2006 Subject: Rail Crossing Gates, Horns and Quiet Zones
Question Sir,
Our new home has a freight rail trak behind it. It is nice during the day, but very difficult at night. After nearly six months our children (3 yrs old) are woken up every time by the repeated blowing of the horn. I wonder about your experiences with:
-Horn levels
-Quiet Zone waivers for horn blowing
-Costs and sources of 4 quadrant gates for a railroad crossing point
I hope to move the town to both get a crossing gate and apply for the quiet zone waiver. Any help you are able to give would be much appreciated.
Michael
Answer Thanks for your question.
Audible warning regulations for locomotives are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations. The document you want is
49CFR229.129. Here is a link:
There is a procedure for applying for Quiet Zone waiver defined in another regulation, 49CFR211, which is rather a lengthy chapter with many sections. Here is a link:
Here is yet another link which summarizes the Quiet Zone establishment process. It is an appendix from a planning report prepared for a New York State Municipality. Here is a link to that:
The cost of a state of the art four quad grade crossing protection system, which would be installed at a four lane highway with full pre-emption, constant warning and trapped vehicle protection will be at least $750,000 and could run up to $1,000,000 in some circumstances.
You seem to have an understanding of the basics of the process. I hope the information provided is of assistance to you.
