What is the Train Horn Rule

Under the Train Horn Rule (49 CFR Part 222), locomotive engineers must begin to sound train horns at least 15 seconds, and no more than 20 seconds, in advance of all public grade crossings. If a train is traveling faster than 60 mph, engineers will not sound the horn until it is within ¼ mile of the crossing, even if the advance warning is less than 15 seconds. There is a "good faith" exception for locations where engineers can’t precisely estimate their arrival at a crossing and begin to sound the horn no more than 25 seconds before arriving at the crossing. Train horns must be sounded in a standardized pattern of 2 long, 1 short and 1 long blasts. The pattern must be repeated or prolonged until the lead locomotive or lead cab car occupies the grade crossing. The rule does not stipulate the durations of long and short blasts. The maximum volume level for the train horn is 110 decibels which is a new requirement. The minimum sound level remains 96 decibels.

Which Railroad Crossings are included?

Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA)* McKinney Street Sycamore Street (Wayside Horn Removal) Hickory Street Shady Oaks Drive (Wayside Horn Removal) Prairie Street Sycamore Street *Quiet Zone Establishment does not apply to the standard horn operating procedures for trains arriving and/or departing a train station such as the DCTA Station located between Hickory and Sycamore Streets. Trains are required to sound horn upon arrival and departure of a station.

How & Who can establish a quiet zone?

Only local governments or public agencies may establish a quiet zone, which must be at least ½ mile in length, and have at least one public highway-rail grade crossing. Every public grade crossing in a quiet zone must be equipped at minimum with the standard or conventional automatic warning devices (i.e. flashing lights and gates). Communities have the option to establish partial quiet zones restricting locomotive horn sounding during overnight hour’s between10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. Local governments must work in cooperation with the railroad that owns the track, and the appropriate state transportation authority to convene a diagnostic team to assess the risk of collision at each grade crossing where they wish to silence the horn. An objective determination is made about where and what type of additional safety engineering improvements are necessary to effectively reduce the risk associated with silencing the horns based on localized conditions such as highway traffic volumes, train traffic volumes, the accident history and physical characteristics of the crossing, including existing safety measures. In a Quiet Zone, railroads are directed to cease the routine sounding of horns when approaching public grade crossings. However, it is important to understand that even if a community establishes a Quiet Zone, train horns may still be used workers within 25 feet of the track or in emergency situations, such as a person or a vehicle on the tracks, or at the discretion of the crew.

What else can be done to increase safety?

Examples of additional safety engineering improvements that may be necessary to reduce the risk of collisions include: medians on one or both sides of the tracks to prevent a motorist from driving around a lowered gate; a four-quadrant gate system to block all lanes of highway traffic; converting a two-way street into a one-way street; permanent closure of the crossing to highway traffic; or approved variations of these treatments.

What is an alternative to a quiet zone?

As an alternative to quiet zones, communities may also choose to silence locomotive horns through the installation of wayside horns at each crossing (train-activated stationary acoustical devices directed at highway traffic), as a one for one substitute for train horns. Once all necessary safety engineering improvements are made, the local community must certify to FRA that the required level of risk reduction has been achieved. A quiet zone may only take effect after all necessary safety measures are installed and operational.

Graphic of train with text saying "Notice Quite Zone" "In Progress" "No Train Horn" "Stop, Look, Go"

Downtown Area Railroad Quiet Zone

The Downtown Area Railroad Quiet Zone Project will construct the railroad required crossing improvements for vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic allowing the implementation of a quiet zone through the downtown corridor.

PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS:

Raised concrete medians on each side of the RR track at each crossing
Track panel extensions to accommodate sidewalk & pedestrian gates at each crossing
RR signalization upgrades
RR gate upgrades

Project Phase & Status
Initiation Phase is Complete

Project is in the final design stage. Staff anticipates advertising this project for construction bids in Q4 2025 with construction beginning in Q1 2026. This schedule is dependent upon UPRR/DCTA review and approval of final design submittal.

FAQ about Quiet Zones

For more information on Quiet Zones please click here!

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Get notified on upcoming engagements and the latest project related news.

Robin Davis, PMP

Construction Projects Manager

robin.davis@cityofdenton.com

Campaign Videos about Rail Road Safety

Last updated: Monday, August 24, 2020 by the U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Railroad Administration

Downtown Area Railroad Quiet Zone

FAQ about Quiet Zones

What is the Train Horn Rule

Which Railroad Crossings are included?

How & Who can establish a quiet zone?

What else can be done to increase safety?

What is an alternative to a quiet zone?

Stay Informed

Campaign Videos about Rail Road Safety

ANIMATED GRADE CROSSING SAFETY & TRESPASS PREVENTION SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

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