<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><font size="5" class="">It is wonderful to “hear” that RP is moving forward on establishing a quiet zone. Even better if HY is doing the same for their crossings. Please allow me to provide some background and </font><span class="" style="font-size: x-large;">toot my own horn</span><font size="5" class="">.</font><div class=""><font size="5" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class="">When I was on the council in Riverdale Park, I initiated the SHA review of the Queensbury crossing. I had been a MARC commuter for several years and had witnessed more than enough train/car collisions. At that time Queensbury was one of the top five or ten most dangerous crossings in Maryland. </font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class="">We lived on Sheridan Street, a few blocks north of the intersection. I was very aware of the quality of life impact of the horns. I researched the quiet zone concept. </font><span class="" style="font-size: x-large;">At that time I didn’t think there was council support for paying for the safety engineering study that would make the quiet zone a reality. But </span><font size="5" class="">I worked with SHA to ensure that the crossing design would qualify Queensbury for a no-horn status and would be </font><span class="" style="font-size: x-large;">safe</span><font size="5" class="">. It took a year or so for the project to </font><span class="" style="font-size: x-large;">actually complete, and by that time I was off the council.</span></div><div class=""><font size="5" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class="">As a result of the Queensbury crossing upgrade, the main train line that runs from Baltimore to Union Station qualifies (at an engineering level) for quiet zone status from Sunnyside in Greenbelt down to Union Station.</font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class="">South of Queensbury, there is a branch line that carries traffic that goes over the Decatur crossing east towards Bladensburg. Hyattsville may be able to complete a similar analysis, installation, study, and approval process for that line.</font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class="">A few more tidbits:</font></div><div class=""><span class="" style="font-size: x-large;">—</span><font size="5" class="">CSX approves and cooperates on improving the safety of crossings because it reduces their downtime.</font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class="">—Crossing upgrade costs are paid for out of a safety trust fund with no payments required by the community.</font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class="">—The noise plume for horns is much larger than that of actual train noise. </font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class="">—The jurisdiction in which a crossing lies holds the football for moving quiet zone applications.</font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class=""><br class=""></font></div><div class=""><font size="5" class="">David Hiles</font></div><br class=""></body></html>