What is a “quiet zone” and
why it’s a bad idea:
The FRA (Federal Railroad
Administration) requires trains to blow their horns 4 times per crossing, with
the sequence: long, long, short, long. With the rise of population in Orange
County, California, passenger rail service has increased a lot in the past 20
years. With more trains comes more noise for people residing near the tracks.
In the past 10 years the city halls received more and more complaints from
people regarding train horns. These disturbing
sounds are upwards of 100 decibels!
In 2008 the FRA started
allowing cities to apply for a "quiet zone” which means that trains only
sound their whistles at crossings when it is an emergency. The FRA does require
upgraded gates, bells, pedestrian gates, improved signs, etc. to authorize a
quiet zone in order to keep things safe.
These things will alert pedestrians and cars adequately. People mostly recognize a train by its whistle
and many people don’t really pay much attention to just signs and bells. With more and more people near a crossing using
their phones with earbuds on and not paying any attention to what is around
them, the train horn is needed to save their lives.
Having quiet zones is also a bad idea for
economic reasons. Tens of millions of dollars were spent upgrading quiet zones in 2008, which was right in the middle of a major recession! In my opinion those funds
could certainly be spent in other ways. Do I miss hearing my beloved sounds at train crossings? Yes, of course, but I think the safety issue is the only thing that could bring the horns back! So spread the word, and SAY NO TO
QUIET ZONE FEVER!
Lists of crossings with
quiet zones:
I have made a comprehensive list
of crossings with and without quiet zones, along Amtrak and Metrolinks Orange
County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Antelope Valley and IEOC lines. This is very
helpful for railfanners to see where they can hear train horns and where not.
More routes and future updates coming soon. Please send corrections to
skylerpfish@live.com
