(Railfan Journal) – In the realm of railroad safety, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) established the Train Horn Rule (49 CFR Part 222) on August 17, 2006, to regulate the sounding of train horns at public grade crossings.
Locomotive engineers are required to initiate the horn at least 15 seconds before, and no more than 20 seconds in advance of, all public grade crossings.
However, if a train exceeds 60 mph, the horn is only sounded when it is within 1/4 mile of the crossing, irrespective of the advance warning time.
An exception allows horn sounding up to 25 seconds before arrival in situations where engineers cannot precisely estimate their crossing arrival time.
The mandated horn pattern consists of 2 long, 1 short, and 1 long blasts, repeated or prolonged until the lead locomotive or lead cab car occupies the crossing.
While the rule does not specify the durations of long and short blasts, it sets a maximum volume of 110 decibels and a minimum of 96 decibels for the train horn.
Intertwined with the Train Horn Rule is the concept of “Quiet Zones.”
These zones are segments of a rail line with consecutive public highway-rail grade crossings where, upon meeting safety requirements, routine locomotive horn sounding is not mandatory.
The establishment of a quiet zone is the prerogative of a public authority, such as a city or county, responsible for traffic control or law enforcement at the considered crossings.
Localities aspiring to create a quiet zone must mitigate the elevated risk associated with the absence of a horn.
While train horns may be omitted in routine situations within quiet zones, their use remains permissible in emergencies or to comply with other federal regulations or railroad operating rules.
Additionally, a “pre-rule quiet zone” may exist if a “no horn” restriction predates the Train Horn Rule and is duly qualified.
For those interested in establishing a quiet zone, the FRA provides guidelines on how to navigate this process, ensuring a balance between safety and reduced noise impact in designated areas.