What is a Quiet Zone?

According to the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), a quiet zone is a railroad grade crossing at which trains are prohibited from sounding their horns in order to decrease the noise level for nearby residential communities. The train horns can be silenced only when increased safety measures compensate for the absence of the horns.

There are over 860 Quiet Zones in communities across the nation with more being added every year. Also, a Quiet Zone is a half mile stretch of rail. There can be multiple crossings in that zone. Which means that there are thousands of crossings across the United States that are quiet.

Show All Answers

1. What is a Quiet Zone?
2. Will I still hear train horns if Quiet Zones are implemented?
3. What if inclement weather or power outages cause equipment not to work?
4. Why do trains sound horns?
5. Can constant exposure to high decibel noise poses possible health risks?
6. How can a Quiet Zone INCREASE safety at a crossing?
7. Can a Quiet Zone increase property value?
8. Are any crossings under review for closure?
9. What is the pattern for sounding the locomotive horn?
10. How long does it take to implement a Quiet Zone?
11. Which crossings are under review for Quiet Zones?
12. How can I get involved?