Quiet ZoneQuiet ZoneJoint Police & Streets Joint Police & Streets
CommitteeCommittee
MeetingMeeting
Village of GlendaleVillage of Glendale
January 16, 2007January 16, 2007
Glendale Village
Plan 2000
Transportation Committee Recommendation
Strategy Eight: Reduce noise pollution from the railroad
Action – Develop local and regional options and then
work with railroad to implement a quiet zone.
Railroad Controls Railroad Controls Limited (RCL) ReportLimited (RCL) Report
History of Federal Railroad History of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules on Administration (FRA) rules on whistleswhistles
Swift Rail Development Act of 1994Swift Rail Development Act of 1994 Notice of Proposed Rule Making Notice of Proposed Rule Making
(1/13/00)(1/13/00) Interim Final Rule (12/18/03)Interim Final Rule (12/18/03) Final Rule (6/24/05)Final Rule (6/24/05)
Process to Create Quiet Process to Create Quiet ZoneZone
Application through the FRA by Public AuthorityApplication through the FRA by Public Authority
Public Authority Designation (preferred method Public Authority Designation (preferred method – doesn’t require FRA approval)– doesn’t require FRA approval)
Each highway-rail grade crossing within Each highway-rail grade crossing within Quiet Zone equipped with approved Quiet Zone equipped with approved Supplemental Safety Measure or Wayside Supplemental Safety Measure or Wayside HornHorn
Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) less than Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) less than Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT) or the Risk Index With Horns (NSRT) or the Risk Index With Horns (RIWH) (RIWH)
Glendale Highway & Glendale Highway & Pedestrian Rail CrossingsPedestrian Rail Crossings
Sharon Road
• cantilever flashing lights and gates
Pedestrian Crossing
• no warning device
Albion Avenue
• flashing lights and gates
Oak Street
• flashing lights and gates
Quiet Zone AlternativesQuiet Zone Alternatives
Four-Quadrant Gate SystemsFour-Quadrant Gate Systems One Way Street with GatesOne Way Street with Gates Gates with Medians or Gates with Medians or
Channelization DevicesChannelization Devices Wayside HornsWayside Horns Temporary ClosuresTemporary Closures Permanent ClosuresPermanent Closures
Four-Quadrant Gate Four-Quadrant Gate SystemSystem
Gates at a crossing sufficient to block highway Gates at a crossing sufficient to block highway traffic from entering crossing when the gates traffic from entering crossing when the gates are lowered, including at least one gate for are lowered, including at least one gate for each direction of traffic on each approach.each direction of traffic on each approach.
When a train approaches, all highway approach When a train approaches, all highway approach and exit lanes on both sides of highway-rail and exit lanes on both sides of highway-rail crossing must be spanned by gates.crossing must be spanned by gates.
Cost: $100,000 to install 2 additional gates at a Cost: $100,000 to install 2 additional gates at a crossing already equipped with two-quadrant crossing already equipped with two-quadrant gates; $280,000 to install four-quadrant gates. gates; $280,000 to install four-quadrant gates.
Four-Quadrant GateFour-Quadrant Gate
One-Way Street with One-Way Street with GateGate
•Gates installed such that all approaching highway lanes to the public highway-rail grade crossing are completely blocked.
•Crossing must be equipped with Constant Warning Circuitry, Power Out Indicator, gates and flashing lights.
Gates with Medians or Gates with Medians or Channelization DevicesChannelization Devices
Medians or channelization devices on both Medians or channelization devices on both highway approaches to a public highway-rail highway approaches to a public highway-rail grade crossing denying highway users the grade crossing denying highway users the option of circumventing the approach lane option of circumventing the approach lane gates by switching into the opposing gates by switching into the opposing (oncoming) traffic lane and driving around the (oncoming) traffic lane and driving around the lowered gates to cross the tracks.lowered gates to cross the tracks.
Must extend at least 100 feet from the gate Must extend at least 100 feet from the gate arm, or if an intersection, at least 60 feet from arm, or if an intersection, at least 60 feet from gate arm and have a mountable mediumgate arm and have a mountable medium
Cost: $11,000, $500 annual maintenance costsCost: $11,000, $500 annual maintenance costs
Medians or Channelization Medians or Channelization DevicesDevices
Wayside HornWayside Horn A stationary horn system activated by the A stationary horn system activated by the
railroad-highway grade warning system, railroad-highway grade warning system, mounted at the crossing, rather than the mounted at the crossing, rather than the locomotive, to deliver an audible warning locomotive, to deliver an audible warning to motorists and pedestrians.to motorists and pedestrians.
Simplest way to reduce train horn noise Simplest way to reduce train horn noise since a Quiet Zone is not required.since a Quiet Zone is not required.
Sounds like a train horn – digitally Sounds like a train horn – digitally recorded from actual locomotiverecorded from actual locomotive
Cycles through train whistle pattern until Cycles through train whistle pattern until train reaches crossing.train reaches crossing.
Cost: $100,000 plus $500-$1000 annual Cost: $100,000 plus $500-$1000 annual maintenance fees.maintenance fees.
Sound Sound LevelLevel
(dBA)(dBA)
Train Train Horn Horn Area Area
(acres)(acres)
Wayside Wayside Horn Horn Area Area
(acres)(acres)
Percent Percent ReductiReducti
onon
>70>70 265265 3737 86%86%
>80>80 171171 55 97%97%
>90>90 3131 <1<1 98%98%
Impact of Wayside Horn Reduces Noise
80 decibel contour footprint impact of locomotive horn.
80 decibel contour footprint impact of wayside horn.
Railroad Train Indicator
Temporary ClosuresTemporary Closures
A Partial Quiet Zone is when the train horn is not routinely A Partial Quiet Zone is when the train horn is not routinely sounded at public crossings for a specified period of time each sounded at public crossings for a specified period of time each day. When the crossing is physically closed by barriers, a day. When the crossing is physically closed by barriers, a relay automatically activates a "crossing closed" signal that relay automatically activates a "crossing closed" signal that confirms to the locomotive engineer that the crossing is confirms to the locomotive engineer that the crossing is closed. As long as the locomotive engineer can see the closed. As long as the locomotive engineer can see the "crossing closed" confirmation signal, he will not be required "crossing closed" confirmation signal, he will not be required to sound the train horn. to sound the train horn.
RCL Grade Crossing RCL Grade Crossing Field ReviewsField Reviews
Sharon RoadSharon Road Four Quadrant GateFour Quadrant Gate – qualifies as Quiet Zone; – qualifies as Quiet Zone;
possible closure of access to parking lot near Police possible closure of access to parking lot near Police Station for exit gate in SE quadrant; likely CSX Station for exit gate in SE quadrant; likely CSX require village pay for maintenance of vehicle require village pay for maintenance of vehicle detection and extra gates (Cost: $500,000 plus detection and extra gates (Cost: $500,000 plus $5000-$10,000 annual maintenance)$5000-$10,000 annual maintenance)
Medians or Channelization DevicesMedians or Channelization Devices – requires FRA – requires FRA to issue an effectiveness rating; village responsible to issue an effectiveness rating; village responsible for monitoring effectiveness; parallel roadways will for monitoring effectiveness; parallel roadways will need to be closed or relocated no closer than 60 feet need to be closed or relocated no closer than 60 feet (Greenville and Troy Avenues); difficulty for parking (Greenville and Troy Avenues); difficulty for parking and access of businesses on Sharon Road; not an and access of businesses on Sharon Road; not an effective optioneffective option
Sharon Road Cont.
•Wayside horns – not quiet zone; sound levels of train horn significantly reduced; curvature of track north of crossing requires remote confirmation indicator; requires annual maintenance (Cost: $100,000, $800 annual maintenance
•Temporary Closure – major East-West arterial in Glendale; not logical consideration
•One-Way with Gates – major East-West arterial in Glendale; create major traffic flow problems
RCL Grade Crossing Field RCL Grade Crossing Field ReviewsReviews
Pedestrian CrossingPedestrian Crossing Located approximate 220 feet south of Located approximate 220 feet south of
Sharon Road; currently not marked with Sharon Road; currently not marked with any signage; FRA Final Rule requires all any signage; FRA Final Rule requires all pedestrian crossings within Quiet Zone to pedestrian crossings within Quiet Zone to be treated on findings of a Diagnostic Team be treated on findings of a Diagnostic Team Review and at minimum equipped with sign Review and at minimum equipped with sign that train horns are not sounded.that train horns are not sounded.
Diagnostic Team – Village of Glendale, Diagnostic Team – Village of Glendale, CSX, FRA, ORDC and PUCOCSX, FRA, ORDC and PUCO
RCL Grade Crossing Field RCL Grade Crossing Field Reviews Reviews
Albion AvenueAlbion Avenue Four Quadrant Gates – Four Quadrant Gates – qualifies for Quiet qualifies for Quiet
Zone; requires vehicle detection device; Zone; requires vehicle detection device; likely CSX will require village to pay for likely CSX will require village to pay for annual maintenance (Cost: $400,000 plus annual maintenance (Cost: $400,000 plus $5,000 - $10,000 annual maintenance)$5,000 - $10,000 annual maintenance)
Medians or Channelization DevicesMedians or Channelization Devices – not an – not an option due to 60 foot requirement for mediansoption due to 60 foot requirement for medians
One-Way with GatesOne-Way with Gates – parallel access to – parallel access to Greenville and Troy, traffic circulation could Greenville and Troy, traffic circulation could be accommodated by converting Oak and be accommodated by converting Oak and Albion to one-way pairs. (Cost: $75,000 – no Albion to one-way pairs. (Cost: $75,000 – no annual maintenance costsannual maintenance costs
Albion Avenue Cont.•Wayside horns – not a quiet zone; probably requires two horns to address north and south direction of Greenville; third horn for westbound approach of Albion; requires Diagnostic Team to determine placement (Cost: $90,000 plus possible $800 annual maintenance)•Temporary closure – qualifies as partial quiet zone; village required to physically close (10 PM) and open (7 AM) Cost: $60,000•Permanent closure – qualifies for quiet zone in conjunction with improvements on Sharon and Oak; installation of curbs on Albion and removal of approaches between Greenville and Troy; possible financial incentives from CSX (Cost: $50,000)
RCL Grade Crossing Field RCL Grade Crossing Field ReviewsReviews
Oak AvenueOak Avenue Four Quadrant GatesFour Quadrant Gates – qualifies for quiet zone; – qualifies for quiet zone;
requires installation of vehicle detection device requires installation of vehicle detection device (Cost: $400,000 plus possible $5,000 - $10,000 (Cost: $400,000 plus possible $5,000 - $10,000 annual maintenance costs)annual maintenance costs)
Medians and Channelization DevicesMedians and Channelization Devices – not an – not an option due to 60 foot requirements for option due to 60 foot requirements for medians.medians.
One-Way with GatesOne-Way with Gates – parallel access along – parallel access along Greenville and Troy between Oak and Albion; Greenville and Troy between Oak and Albion; traffic circulation accommodated by converting traffic circulation accommodated by converting Oak and Albion to one-way pairs (Cost: Oak and Albion to one-way pairs (Cost: $75,000; no anticipated annual maintenance $75,000; no anticipated annual maintenance costs)costs)
Oak Avenue Cont.Oak Avenue Cont.
Wayside hornsWayside horns – is not a quiet zone; would – is not a quiet zone; would have two horns to address have two horns to address Greenville/Glendale Road and Oak Street; Greenville/Glendale Road and Oak Street; possible need for third horn; Diagnostic Team possible need for third horn; Diagnostic Team determines location(Cost: $90,000 plus determines location(Cost: $90,000 plus possible $800 annual maintenance costs)possible $800 annual maintenance costs)
Temporary ClosureTemporary Closure – not addressed by RCL – not addressed by RCL Permanent ClosurePermanent Closure – qualifies for quiet zone – qualifies for quiet zone
in conjunction with improvements to Albion in conjunction with improvements to Albion and Sharon; not as desirable as closing and Sharon; not as desirable as closing Albion; possible financial incentives from CSX Albion; possible financial incentives from CSX (Cost: $50,000)(Cost: $50,000)
Cost Summary of OptionsCost Summary of Options
OptionOption Sharon Sharon RoadRoad
Albion Albion AvenueAvenue
Oak RoadOak Road
Four Quadrant Four Quadrant Gates Gates $500,000$500,000 $400,000$400,000 $400,000$400,000
Medians or Medians or ChannelizationChannelization N/AN/A N/AN/A N/AN/A
One-Way with One-Way with GatesGates N/AN/A $75,000$75,000 $75,000$75,000
Wayside HornsWayside Horns $100,000$100,000 $90,000$90,000 $90,000$90,000Temporary Temporary ClosureClosure N/AN/A $65,000$65,000 No dataNo data
Permanent Permanent ClosureClosure N/AN/A $50,000*$50,000* $50,000*$50,000*
* Possible CSX financial incentives
Horn Sound ContourHorn Sound Contour
Train Horn Sound Contour Wayside Horn Sound Contour
What is Next?What is Next?
Wayside horn demonstration and Wayside horn demonstration and decibel measurementsdecibel measurements
Evaluate funding sources (i.e. Evaluate funding sources (i.e. grants, State and Federal grants, State and Federal participation, CSX, ODRC)participation, CSX, ODRC)
Select best option(s)Select best option(s) Begin process with NRA for Quiet Begin process with NRA for Quiet
ZoneZone
