Automated Horn System

Sound Comparison:
Train Horn vs. AHS™

Locomotive engineers are required by state law and the railroad's code of operating rules and regulations to sound the train's horn 1/4 mile in advance of the crossing. They are also required to continue to sound the horn until the train arrives at the crossing.

If the train horn is to be an effective warning device for the motorist, it must provide a sound level capable of initiating a response from the driver when the train is approaching the crossing. Unfortunately the sound level required to achieve that response and the location of the train relative to the crossing creates a significant noise impact on the community.

The two noise footprints below depict the area impacted by the sound of the train horn and AHS™ respectively. The comparison of the train horn and AHS™ shows a dramatic difference between the areas that are impacted at specific decibel levels. By examining the 80 decibel contour on the two footprints it can be seen that the area impacted by the AHS™ is a fraction of the size of the 80 decibel contour produced by the train horn.

	Railroad Controls Limited 7471 Benbrook Parkway Benbrook, Texas 76126 817-820-6300 Fax: 817-820-6340 marketing@railroadcontrols.com