City of Lawrence

TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DIVISION

MEMORANDUM

TO:              Charles Soules, Director of Public Works

                   Terese Gorman, City Engineer

FROM:         David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer

DATE:           10 January 2006

SUBJECT:     TRAIN HORN QUIET ZONE

                   Traffic Safety Commission Item No. 6

At the December 5, 2005, Traffic Safety Commission meeting, the TSC heard a request to implement a TRAIN HORN QUIET ZONE in North Lawrence, and voted unanimously to recommend implementation under the following conditions:

1. Construction of appropriate medians on 3^rd Street and 7^th Street in advance of the crossings (estimated cost, $50,000) and removal of the 4^th Street pedestrian crossing (it was recommended that these safety measures be implemented even if a quiet zone is not pursued);
2. Limit the QUIET ZONE time period to 10PM-7AM.

Further review of the proposed Quiet Zone with the Federal Railway Administration is necessary to ensure that if these improvements are made the City will qualify for the Quiet Zone Designation.  Staff will keep the City Commission informed of progress.