e Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
Do you know if "quiet zones" are a two party
installation. In other words, does the RR and the
City need to fund the project?

++++++++++
Here is a bit of information on quiet zones from Metrolink,
Steve Wylie, Assistant Executive Officer at the Southern
California Regional Rail Authority, operators of the Metrolink
commuter rail service in the greater Los Angeles area.

Info on the rules for blowing locomotive horns. At the outset, one should discuss issues relating to horn blowing with the railroads that operate in your area directly.

The information provided below comes from the Code of Federal Regulations, at 49CFR 222.21. The rule provides that local circumstances may affect the manner in which engineers blow the horns, and since I am not familiar with the local circumstances, you should contact the railroads directly.

The basic rule requires a locomotive engineer to sound two long blasts, one short blast, and one long blast, which shall be initiated at least 15 seconds, but not more than 20 seconds, before the locomotive enters the crossing. Trains traveling in excess of 60 miles per hour shall not begin the horn blowing sequence more than one-quarter mile from the crossing, even if this leads to horn blowing for less than 15 seconds.

That's the basic rule. There are exceptions provided, including trains with defective horns
that are traveling in for repairs, trains that have stopped in close proximity to crossings and are now on the move (assuming all crossing protection devices are operating and there are no conflicting traffic movements at the crossing).

The federal rule took effect on December 15, 2006. Until then, State law was controlling.
The California Public Utilities Code contains a section requiring trains to blow horns
or other warning devices beginning one-quarter mile from the approach to the crossing.

That is the basic rule. For more information, I encourage you to contact the
Federal Railroad Administration, the California Public Utilities Commission,
and the local railroads operating in your area. All of these entities have websites to direct you to the proper people to talk to.

+++++++
From what I recollect, the local city must build safe crossings to a specific standard.
And then there is a bunch of specific criteria to follow. Read the website information or google "Quiet Zones". Yes, the City must fund a "Safe Crossing" with specific design standards.
The Railroad must also install equipment such as gates and warning devices to a standard.