Quiet Zone for San Marco/Downtown and Surrounding Areas

[acme54321]

Haha yeah right.  Of course they wouldn't want to be taxed.  "Make the city pay for it!  Or the state!!"  Wait....

[spuwho]

Illinois DOT, FRA, Amtrak, Union Pacific did some joint studies on effective crossing guards in anticipation of HSR where grade seperation was not feasible.

They looked at the rising poles, cables, stronger arms, strobes and other items.

The rising poles were the most effective at stopping drive throughs. But found them to be maintenence intensive, especially in winter time where snow, ice and salt interfered with operation. The biggest problem was that they would fail in the upright position causing a traffic hazard.

A lattice of cables that are pulled up from the road was looked at until it was found to be lethal to motorcyclists.

Not tried but discussed was a rising solid barrier that comes up out of the road, not unlike a blast wall on an aircraft carrier. Cost was considered prohibitive.

They also tested the 4 quadrant arm and signal bar over the highway, this is the one that was chosen. Probably because it was the cheapest option that was compatible with RR signaling.

There has been some discussion on an extension of the use of PTC technology to provide better proximity signaling to the crossing guards so that they are not solely relying on a track based sensor.  A sort of air traffic control for trains. This however would be expensive and since the local DOT would have to pay for it, probably not a near term option.

Having lived near railroads my whole life I have grown accustomed to hearing the horns. I have see them save lives on many occasions.

Having lived next to the Union Pacific west line out of Chicago that runs Metra trains by the hour, I have heard plenty of horns In my daily life. for those who are not initiated, it is true that you simply get used to them.

[NaldoAveKnight]

Tampa is stepping up to the plate to improve the quality of life for downtown residents.  If someone has a choice between train noise and no train noise, which option is more appealing, all things equal?  Jax has a lot of compelling neighborhoods close to downtown that easily trump Tampa's in terms of amenities and walkability, however, if there's excessive noise pollution then all this work going into urban renewal could be a mute point.  This is a real issue, especially for the Jax downtown trains that travel at 5 mph and blasts their horns every 20 feet.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/tampa-could-spend-13-million-to-help-create-downtown-train-horn-quiet-zone/2229640

[jaxjaguar]

Once the Brooklyn Riverside apartments are complete I can see this issue gaining more traction. Some of those apartments are literally feet from the track. I can't imagine residents putting up with those horns for long. ALL HAIL THE QUIET ZONE! 

[Charles Hunter]

There probably isn't much train horn blowing near Brooklyn, as there are no highway / rail crossings near there - all overpasses.

[ProjectMaximus]

however, if there's excessive noise pollution then all this work going into urban renewal could be a mute point.[/url]

pun intended? 

[acme54321]

There probably isn't much train horn blowing near Brooklyn, as there are no highway / rail crossings near there - all overpasses.

Bingo, there aren't any crossings at all.  So unless a train has stopped or is doing some other signaling there will be no horns.

[thelakelander]

DT Tampa also has a ton of more crossings (literally every block in DT) than the few in San Marco.

[acme54321]

DT Tampa also has a ton of more crossings (literally every block in DT) than the few in San Marco.

But they have a street running train.... which is awesome.

[NaldoAveKnight]

DT Tampa also has a ton of more crossings (literally every block in DT) than the few in San Marco.

So you don't live in San Marco?

[Charles Hunter]

Not that it will help much, but I think the Gary Street crossing will be closed as part of the Overland Bridge project.

[thelakelander]

DT Tampa also has a ton of more crossings (literally every block in DT) than the few in San Marco.

So you don't live in San Marco?

Correct. However, I stay next door to FEC's Bowden Yard, so it's not like I'm immune to train noise either.