What is a quiet zone?

• A Quiet Zone, approved and authorized by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is a public grade crossing(s) where additional safety precautions have been constructed, thus reducing the federal requirement for trains to sound their horns when approaching the crossing(s). When the Quiet Zone is in effect, the train will not be legally required to blow the horn when approaching crossings, except in an emergency.

• Establishing a Quiet Zone will:
  • improve the quality of life for residents and visitors by significantly reducing train horn noise and at the same time
  • improve safety conditions for vehicles and pedestrians.

What does it mean that locomotive engineers can still sound horns at their discretion?

Locomotive engineers have authority under the Quiet Zone regulations to sound the train horn anytime they feel there is an emergency situation. The federal regulation (49 CFR 222) specifically reads:

§222.23 How does this regulation affect sounding of a horn during an emergency or other situations?

Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, a locomotive engineer may sound the locomotive horn to provide a warning to animals, vehicle operators, pedestrians, trespassers or crews on other trains in an emergency situation if, in the locomotive engineer's sole judgment, such action is appropriate in order to prevent imminent injury, death, or property damage.

In addition to these possible emergency situations, locomotive engineers must sound the horn:

• To alert roadway workers along the railroad’s rights-of-way

• When grade crossing warning systems are temporarily out of service during inspection, maintenance, or testing of the system

So, although there is a Quiet Zone established, you may hear the horn sound.

What are some safety tips around railroad crossings?

There are great safety tips offered by Operation Lifesaver and the information can be found at http://www.oli.org/education_resources/safety_tips.htm  Below are a few tips from this organization.

• Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.

• Never walk down a train track.

• Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first. Trains can come from either direction. Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions.

• Never drive around lowered gates — it's illegal and deadly.

• Never race a train to the crossing — even if you tie, you lose.

• Do not get trapped on the tracks. Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing (when your entire vehicle has sufficient room to maneuver across and off the tracks, making it to the other side safely).