Field Evaluation of a Wayside Horn at a Highway-Railroad Grade Crossing

Abstract

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Externality Effects on Residential Property Values: The Example of Noise Disamenities

“…These results are similar to a study of aircraft noise by Rylander, et al (1980). Finally, a recent study by Multer and Rapoza (1998) evaluates community impacts from wayside horns (i.e., horns that are placed in a fixed location as opposed to a moving train) versus train horns. They found lower levels of reported annoyance for wayside horns, which were approximately 13 dB quieter than train horns.…”

“…Note that a crossing is classified as a Conrail crossing if Conrail maintains it, or if any Conrail trains travel through the crossing. Multer and Rapoza (1998) report that locomotive engineers begin sounding their horn approximately 1,320 feet (i.e., a quarter mile) from the highway-railroad grade crossing. In addition, they report that the impact or severe impact zone for train whistles is, at most, 1,000 feet from the train, so an operational definition of an impact zone of properties within 2,320 feet of a rail crossing is adopted.…”

Driver Behavior at Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings: A Literature Review from 1990-2006

“…In one study, Multer and Rapoza (1998) examined the effectiveness of wayside horns mounted at three gated grade crossings in Gering, Nebraska. In 1995, driver behavior at two of the three grade crossings was videotaped for a period of 12 weeks before and after the installation of the wayside horn.…”

“…The acoustic data collected in the field by Multer and Rapoza (1998) and Gent, et al (2000) and in the laboratory by Keller and Rickley (1992) all indicated that the wayside horn systems was less audible than the train horn. The wayside horn systems evaluated in these three studies were developed by Railroad Controls Limited (RCL).…”

“…In Mundelein, Illinois, wayside horn systems were installed at all 9 grade crossings in or near the Village and evaluated in a field study patterned after Multer and Rapoza (1998) and Gent, et al (2000). Video cameras at three crossings recorded drivers for 3 months before and after the installation of the wayside horn systems.…”