A quiet zone, designated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is a section of a rail line where alternative safety measures have been put in place waiving the requirement that locomotives must blow their horns when approaching grade crossings. [more] The Quiet Zone does not prevent the use of horns at times when safety is a concern (i.e. cars or pedestrian stranded on the tracks). Please note that the Quiet Zone is a separate issue from any other noise mitigation improvements.
Why do trains blow their horns?
Railroad locomotives have sounded their horns or whistles as they approach crossings as a safety measure for more than a century. In 1984, Florida imposed a horn ban and the FRA noted a 60 percent increase in grade crossing accidents. As a result, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued an emergency order overturning Florida’s ban and requiring the railroad to sound the horn at all crossings. Subsequent to this action, grade crossing incidents fell to pre-ban levels. In 1994, Congress directed the FRA to issue regulations requiring that locomotives sound their horn at all grade crossings nationwide, and specifying the volume, length and pattern of the sound. Effective June 2007, The FRA developed procedures whereby a community could implement a quiet zone without compromising safety.
What types of improvements must be made?
Improvements at the crossings must be made such that the level of risk is the same or lower than what would exist if the horns were sounded. Such improvements vary by crossing. They can include physical barriers called supplementary safety measures (four quadrant gates, median barriers, and channelization), wayside horns and/or alternative safety measures (programmed enforcement, public education). Each roadway approach to the crossing must be equipped with an advance warning sign advising drivers that trains do not sound their horns at the crossing.
Where is the Village of Matteson in the process?
Matteson has four crossings within the Village and shares three of those crossings with the Village of Richton Park. These 3 crossings occur at Cicero Ave, Central Ave and Ridgeland Ave. Due to these shared crossings, both Villages must work closely together to submit the Notice of Intent. Because Richton Park is farther along in the process, we have decided to focus on Main St separately, not to delay the process already started for the 3 shared crossings. On January 25, 2010, we held an open house for our residents to gain public input on the improvements available for the three shared crossings. In early March, we will hold another open house specifically to discuss the Main Street crossing Quiet Zone process.
1. Select crossings for inclusion in QZ. (COMPLETED)
2. Obtain cooperation from all affected municipalities. Matteson shares 3 crossings with Richton Park. (COMPLETED)
3. Conduct diagnostic team review. Gather input from all agencies required to participate. – (COMPLETED for 3 shared crossings; Main Street still pending)
4. Comply with diagnostic team's recommendations.
5. Hold an Open House to receive public input. (COMPLETED for 3 shared crossings; Main Street still pending)
6. Update National Inventory to reflect existing conditions.
7. Submit Notice of Intent to FRA to Create New Quiet Zone.
8. During the 60 Day Comment Period, the FRA reviews the Notice of Intent and determines whether the Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) of the proposed Quiet Zone is less than or equal to the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT).
9. Once approved, CN will install identified Supplementary Safety Measures (SSMs) at the identified crossings, install signage at all crossings. CWT and then install SSMs by the CN.
10. Once complete, FRA inspects the improvements at the crossings and will issue a Notice of Establishment to silence horns, and install signage at all crossings.
Why does it take so long?
The process to establish a quiet zone takes approval and coordination from not only the Village Of Matteson, but from several other agencies including the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), Canadian National (CN), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Cook County Highway Department (CCHD).
Who is paying for this?
The Canadian National has signed an agreement with the Village to bear all costs until the application for the Quiet Zone has been approved by the appropriate authorities. CN will also fund additional measures required to maintain the Quiet Zone designation should retention of the designation be jeopardized by additional train volumes for a period of 10 years.
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