Proposal to Create Quiet Zones in Newark, CA (94560)

Summary

The City of Newark, CA and the Alameda County Transportation Commission could dramatically improve the quality of life of the residents in Newark and significantly increase property values around the railway crossing by investing to stop the loud horns of the frequent passenger and goods trains that cross on Sycamore St and Carter Ave.

READ: What can I do to help?

Nov 2022 - where things stand

1. Nov 2022 - City received $2M out of the $10M estimated budget from Assembly Member Alex Lee via AB179 read more

2. Oct 2022 - City applied for remaining $8M from Federal funding, expecting to hear back in 2023

3. Aug 2022 - City created an actual page for Quiet Zones! They are making this official now! - Quiet Zones | Newark, CA

4. Jul 2022 - City council was presented the Feasibility study and presentation from RL Banks & Associates

5. Oct 2021 - City issued RFP for Quiet Zones study read here, eventually won by RL Banks & Associates

6. Sep 2018 - Presentation on need for Quiet Zones in Newark

Problem: Loud train horns reduce resident quality of life and push them out of the Newark community

Aerial view of the 2 Newark train crossings

Specific details on each of the crossings:

• Sycamore St Crossing

• Carter Ave Crossing

Why do the trains honk their horn?

"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." -- US Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration

What solutions do we have?

Establish a Quiet Zone

In a quiet zone, railroads have been directed to cease the routine sounding their horns when approaching public highway-rail grade crossings. Train horns may still be used in emergency situations or to comply with other Federal regulations or railroad operating rules

How?

1. Identify the crossings to include in the proposal

2. Identify if these crossings are pre-rule or post-rule [what is this???]

3. If pre-rule

   1. Not applicable to Sycamore Bay, so I’m going to SKIP this detail

4. If post-rule

   1. Use the Federal Railway Authority’s Quiet Zone calculator tool, compare the proposed Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) vs. the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT)

      1. If QZRI <= NSRT, you are in luck

         1. update signage

         2. fill the forms

         3. notify the right people

      2. If QZRI > NSRT

         1. Identify which Supplementary Safety Measures (SSMs) or Alternative Safety Measures (ASMs) can fit your budget

         2. Propose the authorities to install such SSMs / ASMs

         3. Once installed, update signage

         4. fill the forms

         5. notify the right people

5. Update the USDOT grade crossing inventory form

In the case of Sycamore St crossing, QZRI > NSRT therefore we will pursue 4.2

Let's look at FRA Quiet Zone Calculator for 2 Newark train crossings

Reference Documents