(The following story by Beth Murtagh appeared on the Newday website on October 18.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The effort to turn down the volume for noise-plagued residents near train lines inched forward yesterday, as a measure backed by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy passed the House last night.
The amendment sponsored by McCarthy (D-Mineola) would be made to the Railroad Safety Improvement Act, and directs regulators to consider not just safety issues, but also a train horn’s impact on an individual community when exempting rail carriers from federal minimum decibel levels.
“When the federal government comes down, it’s one-fit-for-all, which doesn’t work,” McCarthy said, explaining that a 96-decibel-minimum train horn level was instituted with rural areas in mind – not densely packed Long Island.
Federal regulators raised the minimum levels in 2005 from 92 decibels to 96. Since then, residents have flooded officials with complaints about the piercing whistles, which Long Island Rail Road engineers are required by federal law to sound at each grade crossing. The ear-splitting, 30-second whistles sour the quality of life and could have health implications, residents say.
The horns test at 96 decibels in the train yard, but are magnified in the densely packed neighborhoods – especially in the Five Towns – McCarthy said. Cedarhurst resident Jack Mevorach said he’s seen decibel readings as high as 117. A whirring chain saw measures about 100 decibels.
“I’m constantly forced to close the windows, no matter what the weather,” Mevorach said. An attorney and the founder of the Train Noise Abatement Association, he said he lives 250 yards from the rail and wears earplugs to muffle the noise.
LIRR officials said yesterday that their current focus is on technological fixes, including installing horn mufflers and air pressure regulators. “We’re appreciative and supportive of the amendment to the bill,” said Mark Hoffer, LIRR vice president and general counsel.
A waiver is one of several possible solutions to the noise issue, but the LIRR has not submitted one yet to the Federal Railroad Administration, Hoffer said.
The Railroad Safety Improvement Act addresses employee fatigue, assistance for accident victims’ families and a long-term strategy for rail safety.
The Senate is considering similar railroad legislation.