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Home My WebLink About2.a. Railroad CrossingsCITY OF ROSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR ACTION CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION. May 10, 2004 AGENDA ITEM: Railroad Crossings AGENDA SECTION: PREPARED BY: Andrew J. Brotzler, P.E., City Engineer AGENDA NO: ATTACHMENTS; Memorandum APPROVED BY: NOTES: For Discussion Only ISSUE: Use of train horns at railroad crossings, BACKGROUND: Over the past several years, requests have been received for City action to reduce or eliminate the need for the sounding of train horns at railroad crossings. There are six (6) mainline at- grade crossings in the City as follows. • 160t Street • GSAH 42 at TH 3 • 145" Street at Brazil Avenue • Biscayne Avenue • Akron Avenue (CR 73) • 13e Street (CR 3$) This mainline track carries 14 to 16 trains per day. The use of train horns at railroad crossings is regulated by the Federal Rail Authority (FRA), There is recent federal legislation that allows for the establishment of "Quiet Zones" at railroad crossings. The establishment of "Quiet Zones" at railroad crossings requires FRA approval. FRA approval of a "Quiet Zone" will require that the existing railroad crossing be reviewed in accordance with FRA standards to establish a score for the crossing, If this scare is above a set threshold, improvements to the crossing will need to be matte until the score falls below the set threshold. Typical improvements may include the installation of a 4- quadrant gate system, concrete medians, etc. and will depend on existing site specific features and traffic volumes. Attached is a memorandum from Chuck Rickart with WSB with additional information. Chuck will be at the meeting to address questions. SUMMARY: At this time, Staff is requesting direction from _ Council for further consideration of City review of the railroad crossings for the establishment of "Quiet Zones ". t WSLI & Associates, tier WSB 4150 Olson Memorial fflghmV, #300 Minneapolis, MN 55422 (763) 541- 48011 AssodaW, lrtc (763) 541-1700 (fox) Memorandum To: Andy Bret; ler, P.E. City of Rosemount From: Chuck T. R'iekart, P.E, P. T.O.E. Transportation Engineer Date: May 4, 2004 Re. Train Horn Rule Information -- Quiet Zones WSB Project 1005 -99 The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has recently issued new train hom rules for Quiet Zones, which will go into effect December 2004. There are currently two types of Quiet Zones: Pre -rule Quiet Zones, which were created and approved prier to 1996; and New Rule Quiet Zones. As I understand, the City of Rosemount does not have any Quiet Zones which prohibits trains from blowing their horns during evening hours. The proposed new train horn rules for Quiet Zones will require Cities to meet certain requirements in order to maintain an existing Quiet Zone or create a new Quiet Zone. Recently, a public information meeting was held with FRA personnel who provided additional information and explanation of the proposed new rules. A summary of this information is as follows: I. The creation of Quiet Zones is based on a risk approach. The risk level number that needs to be attained is 1,688. The Quiet Zone Risk Index can be calculated with a risk index calculator located can the FRA's website. 2. In order to use the Risk Index Calculations, extensive site inventory.data is required. This inventory data for calculation of the risk: index needs to be collected within six months of the application. This information needs to be submitted to Mn DOT for inclusion in the State railroad database. 3. New Quiet Zones will be considered which meet the following criteria: ■ One -half mile in length — required minimum. ■ Lights and gates — required minimum ■ Supplemental safety measures — to meet the Risk Index &/railmad crossingsAmin hom rule; info for 5- 10-t14 Andy Brotd er, P. E. City of Rosemount May 4. 2004 Page 2of3 4. Supplemental safety measures that have been approved by FICA, include: • Closure of a crossing • Four- quadrant gates « One -way streets with gates ■ Channelization of intersecting roadway Alternative supplemental safety measures that have not been approved but are under consideration include: ■ Photo enforcement Education and/or awareness • Enforcement S. Typically, the addition of four- quadrant gates will bring the Quiet Zones into compliance with the risk indices. However, this is dependent on the number of trains and the cross street traffic volumes along with several other factors. A new four- quadrant gates system typically ranges from $300,000 to $350,000 depending on if loop detectors are used or riot. 6. In order to maintain a Quiet Zone, the following process must be followed: ■ Submit a Letter of Intent to maintain a Quiet Zone by December 18, 2004. • A plan to reduce the risk indices needs to be completed by December 18, 2006. The projects identified to reduce the risk index must be completed by December 1.8, 2008. (If State funds are approved for these projects, this date may be extended for an additional three years.) If the City is interested in creating Quiet Zones, a study of the intersections would need to occur prior to submission of application to FRA. The anticipated scope of work to prepare the crossing study for Quiet Zones and submit the application would be as follows: Task 1- Data Collection This task would include collecting all pertinent traffic and railroad data for the crossing.. It; would include updating existing traffic counts, reviewing existing as -built construction plans, determining the surrounding topography, collecting crash data at the crossing, and collecting all pertinent railroad data. Wwailroad crossingstTrain Horn Rule Info for 5- 10 -04.dc Andy Rratzler, AL 00 of Rosemount May 4, 24V4 Page 3 of 3 Task 2 —Risk Index Calculation This task would include determining the existing risk index based on the current conditions at the crossing. Once the existing risk index is calculated, supplemental safety measures, such as four - quadrant gates will be evaluated to determine what would be required at each crossing to bring it into compliance. Task 3 — Crossing Improvement Cost Estimates Based on the required supplemental safety measures, a crossing improvement cast estimate will be developed for each crossing. This will include researching potential funding sources for the crossings. Task 4 - Report Preparation An Engineering Report will be prepared outlining the data collection, risk indices calculations, and crossing cost estimates for each crossing. This report will be prepared and submitted to City staff for review. The.final report will be presented to City Council for approval. Task 5 — Agenc Coordination As part of the project, meetings and coordination will be required with several agencies including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Dakota County, and the impact railroads. Task 6 - Quiet Zone Application Preparation Following approval of the Engineering Study, WSB would prepare the actual Quiet Zone Application for submission to FRA and the railroad for approval. Based on this Scope of Services, it is estimated that for each crossing a cast ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 would be required. Depending on the number of crossings that are analyzed and ifcrossings are packaged together in the final application to FRA, these average casts per approach could be reduced. 1 will be available at the next City Council workshop on May 10, 2004 to discuss this issue if the Council is so inclined. CcVailroad crossings`Train Hom Rule Into for 5 -10-C} Ac