Introduction
Based on federal rule, local government agencies may restrict the usage of train horns at railroad crossings which meet specified criteria. The crossings are then considered to be within a "Quiet Zone". On approach to such crossings train locomotives are NOT required to sound their horns. The Commission’s Rail Crossings Engineering Section (RCES) reviews notices of intent, establishment or continuation of Quiet Zones, and provides written comments to local authorities, focusing on safety concerns related to the potential for collisions between trains and the public.
Train Horn Rule
In general terms, a Quiet Zone may be established after implementing safety improvements that provide the same level of risk reduction as would otherwise be provided by the train horn. A Quiet Zone can be one crossing in a community, or several consecutive crossings in one or more communities. A Quiet Zone can be created along corridors shared by both railroad and rail transit.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Train Horn Rule (49 CFR Part 222) became effective on June 24, 2005. This rule provides a step-by-step process to determine what can be done to offset the lack of a train horn, to calculate the risk reduction associated with potential improvements, to formally document the silencing of the train horns and officially establish a Quiet Zone.
Learn more at the FRA website under "Horn Rule" at: http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/1318
Download the full Train Horn Rule here.
CPUC Authority
A Quiet Zone does not require state approval, and any crossings meeting the safety criteria established by the federal Train Horn Rule will qualify. Although the federal Train Horn Rule does not require state authority to establish a Quiet Zone, RCES is required to receive and evaluate all notices of intent, establishment or continuation of Quiet Zones, and provide written comments. The evaluation requires research and verification of data submitted under the rule, as well as a field diagnostic review of the crossings.
Under the Train Horn Rule, RCES is required to participate in diagnostic reviews of crossings in the proposed Quiet Zone and makes recommendations for safety enhancements in lieu of the train’s sounding of their horn. Some crossings will require improvements be implemented before the crossing will qualify for inclusion in a Quiet Zone. Some may qualify as currently configured, however, RCES or the other parties involved in the Quiet Zone review (railroads, FRA, roadway authority) may recommend further improvements be implemented before establishing the Quiet Zone. Cities and Counties decide whether to implement the additional recommended improvements, but the crossing must meet the minimum requirements of the Train Horn Rule before a Quiet Zone can be established.
Where modifications to a crossing are proposed by a local agency, RCES will process the application to the Commission for authority to alter the crossing. Authority to alter existing crossings must be obtained from the Commission, typically through the Commission’s General Order 88-B process. For further information, see the GO 88-B web page.
As of October 2010, there are 18 established Quiet Zones in California. Additionally, there are 29 for which RCES has received Notices of Intent from Cities and Counties but which have not been established.
Download the CPUC List of Quiet Zones here.
Quiet Zone Contacts at CPUC
Please use the following information to contact CPUC Rail Crossings Engineering Section staff regarding Quiet Zone notices, correspondence, or inquiries.
(1) For general inquiries relating to the Train Horn Rule:
Rosa Muñoz, Senior Engineer - Southern California
Rail Crossings Engineering Section
California Public Utilities Commission
320 West 4th Street, Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 576-7078
rosa.munoz@cpuc.ca.gov
(2) For Notices required under the Train Horn Rule please address to the Section Supervisor and the RCES engineer.
(a) Section Supervisor
Daren Gilbert, Supervisor
Rail Crossings Engineering Section
California Public Utilities Commission
180 Promenade Circle, Suite 115
Sacramento, CA 95834-2939
(b) RCES engineer - assigned to the County
See Rail Crossings Contact Information and territory maps.