A railroad Quiet Zone Study was recently completed. A presentation (click here to view) was given to the City Council on June 2, 2010. The Quiet Zone Study (click here for entire report) reviewed existing and future freight train, passenger train, vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The Study reviewed the potential performance of the Quiet Zone evaluating three potential concepts. The study includes a discussion of Wayside horns.
Last June the Council allocated funds to conduct a downtown Quiet Zone study. The City hired Wilbur Smith Associates (WSA) to complete the study. They have experience developing Quiet Zones in Albany and have worked for Martinez on previous transportation projects. The goal of the study was to develop Supplemental Safety Measures (SSM) and Alternative Safety Measures (ASMs) to lower existing risk factors at the crossing below national standards. WSA analyzed road geometrics, vehicle, pedestrian and train traffic volumes. These volumes were calculated for both current and future conditions.
Definitions:
Railroad Quiet Zone: A railroad at-grade crossing enhanced with additional safety measures approved by the Federal Railroad Administration that negates the need for train engineer’s to routinely sound their horns when approaching the crossing.
A railroad at-grade crossing enhanced with additional safety measures approved by the Federal Railroad Administration that negates the need for train engineer’s to routinely sound their horns when approaching the crossing.
Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT): One of three measurements of risk used in the calculation of a Quiet Zone developed from collision data on a nationwide basis. The NSRT reflects the average level of risk at public highway-grade crossings equipped with flashing lights and gates.
One of three measurements of risk used in the calculation of a Quiet Zone developed from collision data on a nationwide basis. The NSRT reflects the average level of risk at public highway-grade crossings equipped with flashing lights and gates.
Supplemental Safety Measures (SSM): Standardized physical improvements installed at or near the crossing to reduce the risk level either to the level that would have existed if the train horn were sounded or to a level below the Nationwide Significant Risk threshold. These include grade separation, medians, quad gates and permanent road closures.
Standardized physical improvements installed at or near the crossing to reduce the risk level either to the level that would have existed if the train horn were sounded or to a level below the Nationwide Significant Risk threshold. These include grade separation, medians, quad gates and permanent road closures.
Alternate Safety Measures (ASMs): These include Engineering ASMs that address underlying geometric conditions such as sight distance and/or driveway locations that are sources of increased risk at a crossing. It also includes Non-Engineering ASMs such as public education, photo enforcement, consistent and systematic program of traffic law enforcement.
These include Engineering ASMs that address underlying geometric conditions such as sight distance and/or driveway locations that are sources of increased risk at a crossing. It also includes Non-Engineering ASMs such as public education, photo enforcement, consistent and systematic program of traffic law enforcement.
Diagnostic Team Meeting: A mandatory meeting between Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Railroad representative, Caltrans, City and other stakeholder agencies. The purpose of the meeting is to provide sufficient information and input for FRA to determine the requirements for developing a Quiet Zone.
A mandatory meeting between Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Railroad representative, Caltrans, City and other stakeholder agencies. The purpose of the meeting is to provide sufficient information and input for FRA to determine the requirements for developing a Quiet Zone.
Wayside horns: Horns permanently installed at the railroad crossing which are activated when a train is within 1,000 feet of the intersection. Intersections with wayside horns do not routinely require the train engineer to sound the horn on the locomotive.
Horns permanently installed at the railroad crossing which are activated when a train is within 1,000 feet of the intersection. Intersections with wayside horns do not routinely require the train engineer to sound the horn on the locomotive.
Discussion:
The WSA Quiet Zone Study reviewed existing and future freight train, passenger train, vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The Study reviewed the potential performance of the Quiet Zone evaluating three potential concepts. Conceptual construction and on-going maintenance cost estimates were also developed. The study includes a discussion of Wayside horns. The Study evaluated the next steps. A presentation was made at the June 2, 2010 City Council meeting detailing the results of the Study. In summary three concepts ranked in order:
1. Quad Gates at Ferry Street only ($1,500,000)
2. Quad Gates at Ferry Street and Berrellesa Street ($3,000,000)
3. Median on Ferry Street with closure of one entrance to the Intermodal off Ferry street and the relocation of the Ferry Street extension to the Zocchi Property. FRA regulations require that driveways and intersections be no closer than 100 feet from the crossing gate. ($150,000)
WSA ranked the options based on:
1. Overall safety
2. Pedestrian Safety
3. Capital Cost
4. Local Impact
5. FRA review requirements
Although conducting the Diagnostic Team meeting was not part of the original WSA contract scope staff concluded it was best to hold the mandatory meeting prior to reporting to the Council. Staff and the consultant conducted a Diagnostic Team meeting on April 12, 2010 with the FRA, Union Pacific Rail Road and CPUC to determine the viability of each option. The Team reviewed the three options and conducted a site visit at each location. The FRA determined that at a minimum SSM or ASM would be required at both crossings. They contend that although the NSRT is below the national threshold at the Berrellesa Street crossing the intersection of Embarcadero Road is too close to the crossing.
Conclusion:
According to the FRA either option 2, quad gates at both crossings ($3M); or Option 3, Ferry Street intersection improvements plus Quad gates on Berrellesa ($1.650M) are the only viable options for them to approve a Quiet Zone. The realignment of the north Ferry Street extension will be done with Phase 3 of the Intermodal Parking lot project.
The City Council directed staff to investigate wayside horns as a more affordable option.
