BILL ANALYSIS
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SJR 19
Author: Ackerman (R), et al
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SENATE ENERGY, U.&C. COMMITTEE : 8-0, 7/10/01
AYES: Bowen, Morrow, Alarcon, Battin, Murray, Sher,
Speier, Vincent
SUBJECT : Railroad grade crossings: quiet zones
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This measure memorializes the Federal Railroad
Administration to adopt, as soon as possible, regulations
relating to the establishment of quiet zones at railroad
grade crossings in accordance with a specified federal law
and the Congress to approve legislation that provides
funding to the states for the implementation of
supplemental safety measures for the purposes of
establishing those quiet zones.
ANALYSIS : This resolution observes that the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) is proposing regulations
requiring a locomotive horn to be sounded when a train is
approaching a highway-rail grade crossing, that those
regulations will permit public entities to submit waiver
petitions to establish quiet zones where horns may not be
sounded if supplemental safety measures are installed, and
that improving the safety of railroad grade crossings in
conjunction with establishing quiet zones will prevent
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fatalities and injuries.
This resolution memorializes the FRA to adopt regulations
relating to the establishment of quiet zones as quickly as
possible.
This resolution memorializes the United States Congress to
approve legislation providing states with the necessary
funding to implement supplemental safety measures for the
purpose of establishing quiet zones.
Background
Approximately 4,000 times each year, a train and highway
vehicle collide at highway-rail grade crossings, resulting
in more than 400 deaths.
On January 13, 2000, the FRA issued a notice of proposed
rulemaking which requires locomotive horns to be sounded
while a train approaches and enters a public highway-rail
crossing. The proposed rules provide for an exception in
circumstances where there isn't a significant risk of loss
of life or serious personal injury, use of the locomotive
horn is impractical, or where supplementary safety measures
fully compensate for the absence of the warning provided by
the horn.
The FRA has proposed two methods of establishing quiet
zones, which is a segment of rail line at which locomotive
horns are not routinely sounded. The first method requires
every public grade crossing in the quiet zone to have an
approved supplementary safety measure at the crossing. A
list is specified and includes four-quadrant gates where
all lanes of traffic are blocked from entering the
crossing. The second method allows local jurisdictions
more flexibility by providing more options for supplemental
safety devices and measures, including public education and
crossing monitoring.
Public hearings on FRA's proposed regulations have
concluded and, according to the author, a final decision on
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those proposed regulations will be issued after the FRA's
new administrator is confirmed by the U.S.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 7/11/01)
The California Railroad Industry
City of Placentia
NC:kb 7/11/01 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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