 |
Re: Novato to SMART: No Train Horns In Marin, Thank You
Author: Dr Zarkoff
Date: 10-13-2016 - 10:56
>Most existing gates do not meet quiet zone gate requirements.
Correct.
>They would require VERY expensive modifications.
Also correct.
>Quiet zones require a horn located at each crossing.
What you're talking about is an automated horn system, in which a megaphone-like device on top of the crossing gates aims its sound down at the drivers at the front of the line of cars stopped at the gates. If this becomes inoperative, horn blowing is required.
Regardless, of all this: 1) Novato, San Rafael, even all of Marin County and/or the State of California can pass all the laws etc. they want to "outlaw" horn usage, but they'll all be inoperative because it's pre-empted by the Federal regulations, and 2) quiet zones don't stop horn blowing 100% because if situations warrant, such as M/W forces in the area, horn blowing is still required for reasons of safety, whether at crossings or elsewhere.
Correct.
>They would require VERY expensive modifications.
Also correct.
>Quiet zones require a horn located at each crossing.
What you're talking about is an automated horn system, in which a megaphone-like device on top of the crossing gates aims its sound down at the drivers at the front of the line of cars stopped at the gates. If this becomes inoperative, horn blowing is required.
Regardless, of all this: 1) Novato, San Rafael, even all of Marin County and/or the State of California can pass all the laws etc. they want to "outlaw" horn usage, but they'll all be inoperative because it's pre-empted by the Federal regulations, and 2) quiet zones don't stop horn blowing 100% because if situations warrant, such as M/W forces in the area, horn blowing is still required for reasons of safety, whether at crossings or elsewhere.
