Growth in rail freight traffic over the past decade has been apparent to public officials, planners and motorists. Additionally, public policy is turning in favor of high speed passenger rail service and intercity passenger rail service in general. Impacts of these service increases will vary in terms of time and location, but it is clear that more and more trains will be operating on the nation’s main rail lines. Increased and faster trains will bring about more and more conflicts at grade crossings. The one thing that will not increase is the public’s patience with crossing accidents and train horn noise.

Public officials and planners have relied on comprehensive quiet zone feasibility studies by R. L. Banks & Associates, Inc. (RLBA) to help them effectively address such grade crossing concerns.

For example, Wyoming Department of Transportation retained RLBA to conduct a statewide assessment of quiet zone feasibility. RLBA inspected 84 grade crossings throughout the state, performed a field assessment of those crossings, determined what supplementary safety measure would be appropriate at each crossing, if necessary, and estimated the costs of installation. The statewide assessment was applied to grade crossings in 34 municipalities based on population and train movements. RLBA also developed a ranking formula to assist the state in prioritizing quiet zone implementations.

If you and your community or transportation organization want to evaluate potential solutions to train horn noise and other railroad grade crossing concerns, please contact Ken Withers at kenwithers@rlbadc.com or 800-987-2034.