Quiet Zones & the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

As a result of a 1994 law (Swift Rail Development Act of 1994), the Federal Railroad Administration made the "Final Train Horn Rule" effective, as of June 24, 2005. This rule overides state and local laws governing operating rules for railroads. It requires them to use locomotive horns 15 to 20 seconds before entering, and no more than 1/4 mile away from all public highway-rail grade crossings. The pattern for horn blowing is two long, one short, and one long, to be repeated as necessary until the locomotive clears the crossing. Engineers have authority to vary this pattern as necessary for crossings in close proximity and may sound horns in an emergency.

The train horn rule does, however, provide a process for municipalities with pre-existing bans to retain them, contingent upon existing safety warning devices. Requisite to establishment of a new quiet zone, each grade crossing must be equipped with flashing lights and gates. Additional safety measures may be required to compensate for the absence of a horn as a warning device. Municipalities with whistle bans in effect as of October 9, 1996 through December 18, 2003 (The Interim Final Rule publish date) could keep train horns silent for an additional five to eight years, while making efforts to install further safety measures. Municipalities with whistle bans created after October 9, 1996 through December 18, 2003, had only one year to install necessary safety devices before train horns were supposed to be employed again. Public authorities desiring to establish New Quiet Zones may submit "Notices of Intent and Establishment" in accordance with the new rule.

More information may be found below...

Final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns (8 Feb 2006)

Regulation Allow Communities to Silence Horns with Improvements (22 Apr 2005)

The FRA Quiet Zone Calculator (13 Feb 2006)

FRA Incident & Accident Database (17 Feb 2006)