HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8577 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8577
11F/ To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
March 2, 2004
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: Train Horn Rule for Quiet Zones
Overview
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published an Interim Final Rule on Dec. 18,
2003 that would allow the City of Fort Worth more opportunities to implement "quiet
zones" on city streets with at grade rail crossings. The City will have to pay for safety
improvements (unless we obtain grants such as the NCTCOG grant currently in the
scoring phase) to meet the quiet zones. We will also work with TxDOT on any state
highways with at grade rail crossings. This proposed rule is of major interest to
municipalities.
FRA Train Horn Rule
The purpose of the FBA's Interim Final Rule is to:
• Ensure a high level of public safety and respond to communities that desire relief
from horn noise.
+ Allow cities the ability to quiet train horns if safety requirements are met.
General Requirements
• The public authority responsible for safety and maintenance of the roadway that
crosses the railroad tracks is the only entity that can designate or apply for quiet
zone status.
• Engineering solutions known as Supplementary Safety Measures (SSM) are
specific devices that can be used in lieu of locomotive horns while improving
safety at public highway-rail crossings.
• Once a proper SSM is in place, a city can issue a notice to the FRA, the railroad,
state transportation agency and the police department informing them that the
crossing is in conformance with the federal rule for a quiet zone. Federal
approval is not necessary, however strict guidelines are to be followed to
establish that the crossing is in conformance.
• Basic SSM's and devises that allow for silencing of the train horn include:
o Four-Quadrant Gate Systems;
• Median barriers on the street on both sides of the tracks; or
• Wayside horn systems.
It is anticipated that the FRA will issue the Final Rule in December, 2004.
Fort Worth Quiet Zones
Once the Final Rule is publish later this year, the existing quiet zone at the two
downtown crossings at the THE & 7th St. and THE & 8th St. will need to be submitted to
FRA,. These crossings are substantially in compliance with the new quiet zone design.
All projects from the NCTCOG railroad grant will be accomplished consistent with the
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,
TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8577
"f.Fb-- March 2, 2004
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: Train Horn Rule for Quiet Zones
new procedures. Local funds, such as CIP funds, will normally fund the SSM devices
including any required upgrades to a crossing's railroad signal equipment to bring it up
to modern standards.
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,
TEXAS