Caldwell Quiet Zone

Fact: Caldwell’s QZ will actually make things safer. Instead of relying on sound (a horn blast), we are installing physical median barriers to prevent such movements as vehicles driving around the gates, and we are eliminating existing driveway access near the tracks, which can
be another source of accidents. We are installing warning signage for both vehicles and pedestrians and raised detectable warning devices on sidewalk approaches to the tracks.

The FRA has developed formulas to measure risk at railroad crossings, based on the devices that are in place to promote safety, such as automated gates, flashing lights, bells, power out indicators, constant warning time detection circuitry, horns, signage, pavement markings and
approach medians.

We are fortunate in Caldwell that all proposed seven crossings in the Quiet Zone (5th, Kimball, 9th, 12th, 21st, Linden and Ustick) have all of the above safety features, including the approach medians, once the quiet zone is in place. FRA’s formula calculates the risk for these seven
crossings in two ways, and a lower number means less risk. For the proposed seven crossings, the calculated Risk Index With Horns (RIWH – the current condition using horns) is 28,028. The calculated proposed Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI – once our safety features are added and
horns cease to blast) is 17,637.

In the period since the current safety devices listed above have been installed at Caldwell’s railroad crossings there has been only one accident, which involved a homeless person walking across the track and being knocked down by a train while trying to retrieve something they
dropped on the track.

FRA performed a report in 2020, “Trespass Risk in Quiet Zones,” that concluded “there was no statistically significant difference in trespass casualties before and after the establishment of the quiet zones.” In the Conclusion section, it noted that for the QZs established based on Basis
Section 222.39(b)(4)(i)(A) (QZ approved by FRA Associate Administrator where QZRI is at or below RIWH), trespass casualties decreased by 42.1% after the establishment of the QZs. This is the method being used for Caldwell’s QZ.

And finally, from the FRA approval for the Caldwell QZ: “FRA regulations allow railroads, regardless of quiet zone status, to instruct their engineers to sound train horns to warn trespassers or motor vehicles illegally on the railroad right-of-way.”

Even with the quiet zone implemented, train engineers will sound the horn if they see any potential danger ahead.

Fact: Caldwell has been contemplating a QZ since at least 2014, long before a hotel was under consideration. The quiet zone will benefit all nearby residents, businesses, government offices and customers citywide, from Centennial Way to Ustick Road, by eliminating the 110-
decibel horn blasts.

Fact: Yes, they are. Quiet Zones may put more responsibility on the railroads to keep all of their safety equipment and devices in perfect working order. It is not because quiet zones are less safe, but because railroads perceive increased liability for themselves to keep everything
they own better maintained, accurately driving at their allotted speed, and other procedures that, if not followed, may make the railroad liable.

Fact: Many homes next to railroads are used for low-income housing. Sometimes people don’t have a choice to move somewhere else due to fiscal constraints.

Fact: There will be no immediate impact on insurance premiums and liability is not automatically shifted to the City. The City confirmed with its liability insurance provider that installation of the quiet zones will not automatically raise insurance premiums. Premiums will only go up if there is a history of claims paid out which are directly and legally attributable to the quiet zones. Given that the data shows the quiet zones will increase the safety at those crossings (see Concern #1), it is unlikely that there will be increased claims that would lead to higher premiums.

Fact: We could, but it is not advisable. Of the current 1,031 quiet zones in the US, only 2.7% of them are partial quiet zones – where the train horn is silent from 10pm-7am and sounds from 7am-10pm. While a partial quiet zone is preferred over no quiet zone, the horn blasts would
still affect sleepers (shift workers, infants) and nearby homes, businesses, government offices and customers during the day. There is also a concern with consistent expectations for drivers and pedestrians that could possibly lead to accidents.

We aren’t losing the trains, just the noise pollution. A quiet zone lets the historic architecture and local music take center stage instead of the air horns. Nostalgia is about the atmosphere we create together.

No. We’ll still have an average of 16-17 trains coming through town every day. It’s just going to make them less disruptive in that area.    

Even when we think we’re used to it, the constant interruptions still affect our sleep, our stress levels, and our ability to connect with each other.

Property near train tracks is often the most socio-economically distressed area of any community.  Property values are lower, rent is cheaper, crime is higher, etc.  Many of these people have nowhere else to go and would love to see improvements and investment in their neighborhood.      

Year     Crossing           Description

2024    21^st Per UPRR, a transient raced across tracks and went back to pick up dropped cigarettes.  Was injured, but hid and not found.

Description in report: “Pedestrian raced oncoming train across the main line and was able to get across but turned around to pick up personal belongings that were dropped while running across tracks.  Oncoming Train GELVSB-06 struck individual on the north side rail highway.”

2013    Kimball             Vehicle went around gates and stopped.  Confirmed suicide per
CPD.

2010    12^th                   Vehicle went around gates. No injury.

2008    Kimball             Vehicle went around gates. 1 injury.

2006    5^th                    Vehicle stopped on tracks (before gates came down).  No injuries.

2005    Ustick              Vehicle went around gates. 1 injury.

So only one pedestrian accident that was very preventable.  And the medians that are proposed would have prevented almost all of the other accidents that were caused by vehicles going around the gates.