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<br />Quiet Zone Evaluation 36 <br />New Brighton, Minnesota <br />7. Potential Funding Sources <br /> <br />A Quiet Zone is not considered to be a safety improvement, but is characterized as <br />a quality of life improvement. Therefore, funding sources specifically for the creation <br />of a Quiet Zone do not exist. The focus for funding should instead be on programs <br />that support the improvement of the infrastructure, either the road, the tracks, or <br />both. <br /> <br />When considering the improvement of at-grade crossings, there are some potential <br />funding sources available. <br /> <br />a. Federal Funding Programs <br />Most federal funding programs for rail-related/Quiet Zone-related projects have <br />been discontinued or are not being actively funded with new money. Investigation <br />of various past programs revealed one possible source of funding in the Railroad <br />Safety Technology Grants Program. The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 <br />(RSIA) established the Railroad Safety Technology Grant (RSTG) Program. The <br />objective of this program was to facilitate “…the deployment of train control <br />technologies, train control component technologies, processor- based technologies, <br />electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, rail integrity inspection systems, rail <br />integrity warning systems, switch position indicators and monitors, remote control <br />power switch technologies, track integrity circuit technologies, and other new or <br />novel railroad safety technology.” The program authorizes U.S. Department of <br />Transportation to provide grants to passenger and freight rail carriers, railroad <br />suppliers, and state and local governments for projects that have a public benefit of <br />improved railroad safety and efficiency. This grant program has a maximum 80- <br />percent federal and minimum 20-percent grantee cost share (cash or in- kind) match <br />requirement. Grant applications are not being accepted at this time, and have not <br />been accepted since 2014. However, as the original grantees complete their grants, <br />additional funding may become available. <br /> <br />It is possible that old programs will be revived or new ones established as the <br />economy improves. <br />b. State Funding Programs <br />MnDOT works in cooperation with counties, cities, townships, and railroads to <br />improve the railroad-highway transportation infrastructure in order to support <br />economic growth and connect Minnesota to global opportunities under the Railroad- <br />Highway Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Program. The following types of <br />projects are eligible for funding under this program: <br /> Various types of signals and signal upgrades. <br /> Crossing closures and consolidations. <br /> Improving sight conditions by removal of visual obstructions. <br /> Improving roadway geometrics and/or grades.