This paper describes how Mundelein, Illinois, introduced an automated wayside horn system at highway-rail grade crossings. The objective was to reduce residential noise from train horns while maintaining crossing safety. The evaluation of driver behavior showed that motorist violations of the grade crossing law decreased significantly with the wayside horn compared to when a train horn was used. Noise in residential areas also decreased significantly. The results support earlier studies. More than 19,500 gate closings were recorded over 2, three-month periods before and after wayside horn installation. Violations decreased by 68% from an average rate of 3.53 per 100 gate closings when train horns were in use to 1.12 per 100 with the wayside horn. Of equal importance was the decrease in residential noise levels. Sound measurements taken in a sample of residential yards showed a decrease in sound levels by more than 10 decibels in most locations. Other issues such as sound volume, timing of the wayside horns, and a substantially high number of gate activations without a train being present seek further resolution.
Samenvatting