2003-14W
RESOLUTION 2003- 14
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RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE FEDERAL RAILROAD
ADMINISTRATION TO ALLOW USE OF AUTOMATED WAYSIDE HORNS
SYSTEMS AS ALTERNATIVE AT -GRADE CROSSING SAFETY MEASURES
WHEREAS, the Federal Railroad Administration ( "FRA ") proposed in 2000 that all at-
grade railroad crossings would be subject to the blowing of the locomotive horn every time a
train is approaching the crossing; and
WHEREAS, the FRA proposed the blowing of the locomotive horns as a safety measure
to warn motorists of impending danger from approaching trains; and
WHEREAS, the crossings in our community have demonstrated exemplary safety
records over the past ten years; and
WHEREAS, a significant number of our residents live in close proximity to the
crossings; and
WHEREAS, the sound from the locomotive horns at all hours of the day and night, even
at crossings that have demonstrated exemplary safety records, disrupt the quality of life of
thousands of residents, lead to ancillary safety issues, and discourage transit- oriented
development near commuter rail stations; and
WHEREAS, the FRA will allow exemptions to the blowing of the locomotive horns at
crossings where there has been the implementation of specific alternative safety measures, which
include closure of the road to vehicular traffic, installation of four - quadrant gates systems,
installation of barrier medians or channelization devices, and photo enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of these alternative safety measures is in many cases
not feasible based upon engineering, legal, practical, or cost factors and could divert precious
railroad crossing safety resources away from the most dangerous crossings merely to ensure
quiet in a community; and
WHEREAS, automated wayside horn systems were recently tested in the Libertyville,
Vernon Hills, and Mundelein, Illinois area for their effectiveness as a warning system at at -grade
crossings; and
WHEREAS, research by Northwestern University Center for Public Safety published in
January 2003 using photo surveillance at crossings where the automated wayside horns systems
were installed determined a seventy percent decrease in the number of vehicular at -grade
crossing violations; and
WHEREAS, the Northwestern University research determined the area impacted by the
sound of the automated wayside horn systems was eighty -five percent less than that impacted by
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the locomotive horns, thus sparing many residents the constantly recurring sound of locomotive
horns; and
WHEREAS, the Northwestern University research supports the conclusions of similarly
conducted studies that automated wayside horn systems are an effective method to prevent
incidents at at -grade crossings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PRESIDENT & BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, COOK AND LAKE COUNTIES,
ILLINOIS, that we urge the Federal Railroad Administration to approve at the earliest possible
date the use of automated wayside horn systems as an alternative safety measure and to grant at-
grade crossings where they are installed an exemption from the blowing of locomotive horns;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the FRA is also encouraged to evaluate the long -term
safety record of each at -grade crossing before requiring either the blowing of locomotive horns
or installation of alternative safety measures; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to the
Federal Railroad Administration, the Illinois Commerce Commission, Senators Durbin and
Fitzgerald and Representatives Kirk, Crane, Hastert and Lipinski.
AYES: 6 - Braiman, Glover, Berman, Johnson, Kahn, Trilling
NAYS: 0 - None
ABSENT: 0 - None
ABSTAIN: 0 - None
PASSED: March 3, 2002 APPROVED: March 3_ 2003
. Li✓�.eaxv
Village Clerk
Village President
Village Board Meeting Agenda Item
Monday, March 3, 2003
Resolution 2003 - A
Resolution encouraging the Federal
Railroad Administration to allow
use of Automated Wayside Horns
Systems as alternative At -Grade
Crossing Safety Measures.
VII -A
Agenda Section:
Reports from the Trustees
Order In Section:
A
Type of Item:
Resolution for Officer Report
Department:
OVM
Requested By:
Trustee Jeff Berman
Prepared By:
Ghida Neukirch
Trustee Liaison:
Trustee Berman
Additional
Documentation:
Other Agenda Items:
Overview
The Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC) Transportation Committee has promulgated a
model Resolution for member communities to encourage the Federal Railroad Administration to
allow the use of automated wayside horns systems as an alternative at -grade railroad crossing
safety measure. A recent study conducted at crossings in Libertyville, Mundelein and Vernon
Hills shows the wayside horns are a feasibile and less costly means to ensure crossing safety and
thereby facilitate exemptions to the mandatory blowing of the locomotive horns and the creation
of local "quiet zones ". The attached Resolution was drafted based on the NWMC model;
approval is recommended.