(Newsday posted the following article by Joie Tyrell on its website on February 26.)
NEW YORK — Ruth Divis can’t hold a conversation in her Bayport yard any time a passing Long Island Rail Road train sounds its horn.
“The bad part is there are five crossings and they are always blowing these things,” she said.
A newly proposed requirement by the federal government could offer a respite to residents who live near grade crossings. The Federal Railroad Administration, in a ruling that would take effect Dec. 18, is proposing the creation of “quiet zones” that would supersede state law requiring trains to sound their horns before approaching a grade crossing.
“Train horns are important safety devices, but they also can be a nuisance for residents,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta. “This rule means less noise for millions of Americans living near railroad crossings.”
But some transit watchers, and even those who have complained in the past about horn noise, also worry about safety. Divis, for example, would like to see a quieter horn, but not for it to disappear entirely.
“As much as I would love to have no horn, I live on a street that kids come from the high school and they are absolutely the most irresponsible drivers that I have ever met,” she said, adding she fears an accident. “I wouldn’t want that on my conscience.”
Joan Nemarich, an Old Bethpage resident who has been lobbying the railroad and local municipalities to improve crossings, said relaxing the existing requirement is a mistake.
“There are a lot of people who don’t pay attention until they hear the horn blasting,” she said. “It’s important to sound the horn when the train comes in, it alerts people.”
It is up to the local municipalities that maintain the roads at grade crossings to request quiet zones, and a number of safety requirements must be taken into consideration.
New quiet zones must have flashing lights and gates at all public highway-rail grade crossings. Each highway approach must have an advance warning sign advising motorists train horns are not sounded at the crossing.
While any grade crossing could qualify for quiet zone designation, engineering improvements may be necessary, too, such as gate upgrades and road changes.
Municipalities would be responsible for paying for any upgrades or safety enhancements to have such a zone. The cost for each grade crossing could be in the millions.
LIRR president James Dermody said he is unaware of any local governments on Long Island that have requested such zones so far. “I think if done properly it might be a good idea,” Dermody said. “I think you are going to see some people try for it, but I know it’s going to be expensive.”
Mark Cuthbertson, a Huntington Town Board member, said the town has received numerous complaints about horn noise and will look into quiet zones. “We don’t want to compromise safety, but we want to see if there is a way to mitigate noise,” he said.
And Town of Oyster Bay officials said the town attorney is researching the proposal.