Railroad safety and noise mitigation are critical concerns for communities and industry stakeholders alike.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Train Horn Rule, issued in 2006, established a required routine for the sounding of locomotive horns around public crossings as a safety precaution. At the same time, FRA created a process for communities to designate “quiet zones” by meeting certain safety requirements.

Today there are 1,016 quiet zones across the nation, up from roughly 700 five years ago. These quiet zones cover over 5,500 grade crossings.

“GoRail has folks positioned around the country whose job is to reach out to local county and state officials, and one of the more common questions that they encounter year after year involves quiet zones,” said Russ McGurk, president of GoRail. “So we determined to put this panel together today.”

In GoRail’s Creating Safe Quiet Zones webinar on February 13, hosted in conjunction with the National League of Cities, a panel of experts shared insight with over 300 community leaders on how to implement quiet zones while maintaining safety and compliance with federal regulations. Attendees also heard from a city and its partner railroad on the successful reestablishment of its quiet zone.

The panel included: Jeff Moller, AVP of Transportation Systems & Practices at the Association of American Railroads; James Payne, Staff Director of Grade Crossing and Trespasser Outreach (GXTO) at the Federal Railroad Administration; Jackie Sapp, Senior Manager, Public Works and Planning at CN; Amber Stoffels, Manager I of Industry & Public Projects at Union Pacific; and Karl Zook, Assistant City Manager for the City of Forney, Texas.

Key Challenges in Establishing Quiet Zones

“I don’t think a lot of people realize, but 59% of all grade-crossing collisions and 78% of all fatalities are at gated crossings,” said Jeff Moller of AAR. “You can see that just putting a gate up is not the total solution. And that’s one reason the stringent requirements of the quiet zones are so important.”

Establishing a quiet zone requires careful navigation of federal regulations. Communities must comply with FRA safety standards, ensuring that alternative safety measures are in place when train horns are silenced. This often means substantial infrastructure upgrades, such as installing additional gates, medians, and signage to maintain public safety.

Funding is another hurdle. The cost of implementing quiet zones varies widely depending on the number of crossings, necessary infrastructure modifications, and local conditions. Identifying state and federal grant opportunities can help alleviate financial burdens, but the application process can be competitive and time-consuming.

“Managing expectations is so important for everyone going through this process,” said Amber Stoffels of Union Pacific. “As an agency, you are the road authority, essentially, going after the quiet zone. It’s so important to know your contacts—and know and use your resources appropriately.” Stoffels highlighted the FRA’s website guide and tools as a good starting place.

Community engagement is also essential. Residents may push for quiet zones due to noise concerns, but rail operators prioritize safety. Clear communication between local governments, railroads, and the FRA is crucial to balancing these interests and ensuring smooth project implementation.

“Keep in mind communication’s important,” said Karl Kook, who shepherded the City of Forney’s recent quiet zone reestablishment. “Make sure that your local officials—your council members, your city manager—that are that are expecting this, that they understand as best as you can explain to them, what what’s involved with the process, how long it could take, what the cost could be.”

Safety Measures and Staying in Compliance

To offset the absence of train horns, several safety measures can be implemented. Supplementary Safety Measures (SSMs)—such as four-quadrant gate systems, median barriers, and wayside horns—are commonly used. If these are not viable, communities may turn to Alternative Safety Measures (ASMs), which allow for customized safety solutions tailored to specific crossings. In addition, technology integration, including modern monitoring systems and predictive analytics, can further enhance overall safety.

Once a quiet zone is approved, continuous evaluation is necessary to monitor safety data and address any emerging concerns.

“As the populations around these grade crossings grow, the existing equipment may no longer be suitable for the amount of traffic that is now navigating those grade crossings on a daily basis,” said James Payne of the FRA.

“On the enforcement side over the last couple years, we’ve actually started terminating certain quiet zones that we have found—and we have implemented another policy to where we will show up, we will do inspections, we will bring the public authority alongside of us, we will bring the railroad alongside of us. And we will point out everything that we find in non-compliance.”

Post-Implementation Questions

Once the notice of establishment (NOE) is received from the FRA, railroads take several steps to enforce the quiet zone. If the route is on a line equipped with Positive Train Control (PTC), the system is updated to prevent automatic horn activation. Additionally, local track supervisors install no whistle signs, and bulletins are issued to train crews to remind them of the quiet zone’s implementation.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that once a quiet zone is established, train horns will never be heard again. In reality, occasional horn use is still required in certain situations. “Railroad safety rules require trains to sound the horn for railroad workers near the tracks or due to other operating rules,” Jackie Sapp of CN noted. Horns may also be used to warn trespassers or in emergency situations.

And once the quiet zone goes into effect, give the engineers a little grace. “Many have traveled the same tracks for years and have the habit of sounding the horn. After about two weeks, if your community is still hearing the horns, reach out to the railroad,” said Sapp.

Communities experiencing unexpected horn use weeks after a quiet zone goes into effect should gather specific information, such as the date, time, and direction of the train. This allows railroads to cross-check black box data and verify whether the horn was sounded appropriately.

“At CN, if our train crew blows in a quiet zone, they must also let the dispatcher know why—whether they saw a trespasser, railroad employees, etc.,” Sapp said.

Q&A Highlights

After the panelists spoke, a robust question-and-answer session provided additional insight. Here are several takeaways:

  • How long does it take to establish a quiet zone? The process can take one to three years, depending on regulatory approvals, funding availability, and infrastructure upgrades.
  • What are the biggest hurdles? Securing funding remains a primary challenge. Quiet zones often require significant investment, making it essential to plan early and explore available grants.
  • Can quiet zones be revoked? Yes, if safety concerns arise, the FRA has the authority to suspend a quiet zone until compliance is restored. However, they will work with public authorities to resolve issues before taking action.
  • What funding sources are available? Panelists recommended federal grant programs such as the Rail Crossing Elimination Grant and Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, as well as state-level funding opportunities. GoRail hosts robust information on federal funding available to rail projects on its Rail Grant Hub.
  • How can approval timelines be sped up? While the FRA review process can take months, recent staffing increases have helped streamline approvals. Communities might consider working with consultants familiar with the process.
Conclusion

Creating a quiet zone requires a strategic approach that balances safety, regulation, and community needs. By leveraging best practices, securing funding, and maintaining open communication with stakeholders, communities can successfully reduce noise pollution while upholding high safety standards.