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THE “TRAIN HORN” FINAL RULE <br />Summary <br />1. Overview: <br /> <br />$ The Final Rule on Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings, <br />published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2005, is intended to: <br /> <br />. Maintain a high level of public safety; <br /> <br />. Respond to the varied concerns of many communities that have sought relief from <br />unwanted horn noise; and <br /> <br />. Take into consideration the interests of localities with existing whistle bans. <br /> <br />$ Currently, state laws and railroad operating rules govern use of the horn at highway-rail <br />grade crossings. When this rule takes effect, it will determine when the horn is sounded <br />at public crossings (and private crossings within “quiet zones”). <br /> <br />$ This Final Rule was mandated by law1, and was issued by the Federal Railroad <br />Administration (FRA) after consideration of almost 1,400 public comments on the <br />Interim Final Rule (IFR) (68 FR 70586) published December 18, 2003. <br /> <br />$ Consistent with the statutory mandate requiring its issuance, the rule requires that <br />locomotive horns be sounded at public highway-rail grade crossings, but provides several <br />exceptions to that requirement.2 <br /> <br />$ Local public authorities may designate or request approval of, quiet zones in which train <br />horns may not be routinely sounded. The details for establishment of quiet zones differ <br />depending on the type of quiet zone to be created (Pre-Rule or New) and the type of <br />safety improvements implemented (if required). <br /> <br />$ Horns may continue to be silenced at Pre-Rule Quiet Zones, provided certain actions are <br />taken. <br /> <br />$ Intermediate Quiet Zones (whistle bans that were implemented after October 9, 1996 but <br />before December 18, 2003) may continue to have the horns silenced for one year (until <br />June 24, 2006), provided certain actions are taken. After which time they must comply <br />with the provisions for a New Quiet Zone if the horns are to remain silent. <br /> <br /> <br /> 149 U.S.C. 20153. <br /> <br /> <br />Disclaimer: This is a summary of the Final Rule for initial briefing purposes only. Entities subject to the rule <br />should refer to the rule text as published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2005. <br />The "Train Horn" Final Rule Summary <br />Quiet Zone Evaluation <br />New Brighton, Minnesota <br />B1 Spack Consulting