[RP TownTalk] quiet zone

[Jonathan Ebbeler]

All -

As someone who pushed this policy through to its fruition I would like to chime in if I may.  A quiet zone is never necessarily ‘quiet’ per se but there should be a reduction in horns.  The pedestrian crossing, the number of people who are observed daily trespassing onto the tracks etc. led to some modifications to the normal FRA policy as far as I understand it.  I have not seen any final documentation of the establishment.

I do not know for certain but given that our QZ was just legally added to the FRA database I am not surprised that there may be a time for conductors to recognize and learn that they are trans versing through a new zone.  There are only 5 in MD and only ours and the one in Montgomery County were established after they changed the rules; the other three exist in Cumberland and Hagerstown.  It will likely take ‘education’ on the part of the community to conductors to ensure they are following the rules.

Under the Train Horn Rule (49 CFR Part 222) engineers must sound their horn at least 15 seconds and no more than 20 seconds in advance.  They must be blown in the pattern of 2 long, 1 short, and 1 long blasts.  The pattern must be repeated or prolonged until the lead locomotive occupies the grade crossing.  The rule does not stipulate the durations of long and short blasts.  The maximum volume level for the horn is 110 decibels, the minimum is 96 decibels.

In a quiet zone, railroads have been directed to cease the routine sounding of their horns while approaching at-grade crossings.  Train horns may still be used in emergency situations or to comply with other Federal regulations or railroad operating rules.  Once the QZ is established there is a 21-day waiting period prior to it going into effect.  I have not looked at track signage but there should be QZ signs posted next to the tracks as well signaling to the engineers they are entering a Quiet Zone (I am just aware of the pedestrian/vehicular signage on Queensbury).  For those who feel that the QZ is not being respected and that engineers are blowing their horn in violation of the established QZ you can file a violation here:
https://www.fra.dot.gov/app/violationreport

You can also call the FRA with general questions: 1‐800‐724‐5992

Best,

Jonathan

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