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What Is A Quiet Zone

A quiet zone is a section of a rail line that contains one or more consecutive public crossings at which train horns are not routinely sounded.

In 2005 the Federal Railroad Administration published a revised federal regulation, 49 CFR Parts 222 and 229 titled "Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings." This revised ruling has several provisions related to Quiet Zones. Currently there is a federal mandate that requires all trains to sound their horns every time they approach an at grade railroad crossing unless a Quiet Zone has been established. If a Quiet Zone is established, train horns will only be sounded if they see someone on the tracks. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has developed safety standards that must be met within Quiet Zone's to compensate for the increased risk associated with trains not sounding their horn. One of the FRA's requirements is that signage must be in compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. These signs are installed to provide safety to roadway users and to protect the City of Gallup from significant claims should an accident occur.


Who Can Establish a Quiet Zone?

According to the new FRA Rule, Public Authorities with jurisdiction over the roadway at a crossing.

If a Quiet Zone includes more than one Public Authority:

· All agencies must agree
· Actions must be taken jointly

Quiet Zones may be established irrespective of state law


How Are Quiet Zones Created?

There are two different ways in which local governments may establish a quiet zone:

· Using statistics and formulas showing that the lack of the horn sounding at the crossings does not pose a significant safety risk.

· Implement Supplementary Safety Measures (SSM) at the crossings to reduce excess risk associated with having no horn sound – 2nd and 3rd Streets already have one of these safety measures being one-way streets with gates.

Project Goals

Improve safety by designing and installing Supplemental Safety Measures at 2nd Street, 3rd Street, and Allison Road crossings.

Establish a Quiet Zone at 2nd Street, 3rd Street, and Allison Road crossings in Gallup, NM in McKinley County, in accordance with the Federal Railroad Administration Rule.

Improve quality of life for Gallup residents and enhance the Downtown business environment.