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City of Lawrence, Kansas |
Memo
To: Mike Wildgen, City Manager
From: Brad Hoff, Management Assistant
CC: Regan Carrizales, Management Assistant
Date: 5/6/2004
Re: Train Horn Rule
The following memo will summarize the research and discussions that I have had with several individuals concerning the designation of a quiet zone in North Lawrence.
In response to Mr. Ted Boyle’s letter dated January 24, 2004 requesting the City of Lawrence pursue the establishment of a railroad quiet zone on the train route from 3rd Street to 9th Street in North Lawrence, I have been in contact with several individuals. These include Howard Gillespie, DOT/FRA Assistant Regional Manager for Grade Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention; John Wyker, DOT/FRA Chief Inspector; Gary Farlow, KDOT representative; Al Cathcart, KDOT representative; Mike Benjamin, Union Pacific representative; and Tom Woll, FRA representative in Washington, DC.
In March 2004, I met with Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Wyker to discuss the process of designating the Union Pacific train route from 3rd Street to 9th Street in North Lawrence as a quiet zone. At this meeting, we conversed about the requirements that are necessary for a public authority to establish a quiet zone. First, the length of the quiet zone must be at least ½ mile in length; second, all railroad crossings in a quiet zone must be equipped with automatic grade crossing warning devices that have both flashing lights and gates; and third, each highway approach to the railroad crossing must have an advance warning sign posted that will notify motorists that they are approaching a quiet zone where the train horn will not sound. The North Lawrence train route meets the length requirement and each of the crossings at 3rd, 7th, 8th and 9th Streets are equipped with flashing lights and gates. Once the City of Lawrence designates the train route as a quiet zone, it will be required to post signs warning motorists that they are approaching a quiet zone. In addition, the quiet zone must have a risk index score below the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold. The North Lawrence quiet zone meets this requirement too.
In compiling the data necessary to show that the Union Pacific train route in North Lawrence meets the requirements for quiet zone designation, there has been one discrepancy located. This inconsistency involves the 4th Street crossing. The FRA database inventory shows the 4th Street crossing as being open to traffic, although it is closed. This is important because with 4th Street closed, it will help the City of Lawrence lower its Quiet Zone Risk Index. As a result of this discrepancy, I have been in contact with FRA, KDOT, and Union Pacific officials. After talking to Union Pacific and KDOT, each of them shows the 4th Street crossing as closed. Al Cathcart of KDOT stated that an update of crossings have been sent to the FRA for them to insert in their database. From this conversation with Mr. Cathcart, the City of Lawrence will need to wait for the FRA to update its inventory.
Summary
The City of Lawrence meets the minimum requirements for a quiet zone to be designated in North Lawrence. Furthermore, the Quiet Zone Risk Index is below the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold, which qualifies the route to become a quiet zone.
During the month of June or July, I would contact the FRA to check if they have updated their database inventory to show that the 4th Street crossing is closed. Once this is done, the City of Lawrence, with consultation from the FRA, can designate the train route a quiet zone.
Below is contact information for the resources that I have talked to during this process.
Resource Contact Information
Howard Gillespie, FRA representative, 816.329.3840
John Wyker, Chief Inspector, 816.329.3847
Al Cathcart, KDOT representative, 785.296.3529
Gary Farlow, KDOT representative, 785.296.0204
Mike Benjamin, Union Pacific representative, 816.245.2774
Tom Woll, FRA representative in Washington, DC, 202.493.6290.
Helpful websites
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/NewCrossing/Default.asp