Automated Horn System

Evaluation of the Automated Wayside Horn System in Mundelein, IL

Introduction - Village of Mundelein

For three and a half years, an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives of a variety of state, federal, and local governments plus the private sector met to find a way to install, fund, maintain, and study automated horn systems at nine railroad crossings in, and adjacent to, the Village of Mundelein, Illinois.

The Automated Horn Task Force, as the group came to be known, began its work in June 2000. On January 21, 2003, the Final Report of the effectiveness of the automated horns was presented to the Task Force.

The study that follows is an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of automated horns as a safety feature and as a method of reducing noise from train horns. On both counts the automated horn proved extremely successful.

Without the support and cooperation of all levels of government the installation of the Automated Horns and the study of their effectiveness could not have been completed. To arrive at this point, Federal, State, County, and municipal officials worked together, along with private businesses. They remained focused on a goal, implemented a technological advancement in railroad crossing safety, and arranged for an independent, scientific evaluation of the effectiveness of that new technology. This process, and those involved, brought out the best that our democratic system has to offer; and shown how the entrepreneurial creativity of the private sector can be utilized to improve the health and safety of our citizens.

I would like to extend my special thanks would like to Lake County Board Chairman Susie Schmidt and the Lake County Board, Village of Libertyville Mayor Duane Laska, Village of Vernon Hills Mayor Roger Byrne, all the members of the Automated Horn Task Force. I think we are on the verge of a significant advancement in railroad crossing safety and proud of what we have accomplished.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Sindles
Mayor

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Evaluation of the Automated Wayside Horn System
in Mundelein, Illinois
Final Report

Executive Summary

At highway-rail grade crossings, the train horn serves to warn motorists of a train's immediate approach. The horn advises motorists, and other crossing users such as bicyclists and pedestrians, that entering on or crossing the tracks would place them in imminent danger. However, because of the loudness and the wide angle of sound radiation, the horn can be an intrusive nuisance, especially in residential areas near the tracks. As a result, an automated wayside horn system (AWHS) has been developed to provide an appropriate warning for those using the crossing, while not annoying those living near the tracks.

A study was carried out in Mundelein, Illinois, that compared the train horn with the AWHS. This report compares motorists’ driving behavior at highway-rail crossings and the sound levels of the two types of horns. The results from the evaluation show a significant 70% decrease in violations of highway-rail crossing law with the AWHS. Noise levels in areas near the tracks decreased by up to 85%.

Reducing the number of collisions between vehicles and trains has remained a priority in highway safety. During the past 10 years, collisions nationally have decreased from 4,684 in 1992 to 3,064 in 2001 (Federal Railroad Administration). During this same period, all collisions with trains in Illinois remained fairly constant with an average of 232 per year. Even though there has been a general decrease nationally, these collisions remain the most severe type in terms of producing injuries and fatalities. Crossing gates have the best record at reducing collisions, but a study done in Florida showed that even with crossing gates, a train horn still is needed. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has proposed rules to require that horns be used at all crossings with few exceptions that are expensive to implement. The problem remains that the train horn, which, in Mundelein, starts sounding approximately 17 seconds before the train reaches the crossing, creates very high sound levels in adjoining areas.

As a result of the need to alert motorists and at the same time reduce the effect of sound on adjoining areas, Mundelein experimented with the use of the AWHS. The study reports the results of the evaluation of the AWHS.

To view the full executive summary click here.
To view the full report click here.

Comparison of Train and Wayside Horns in Mundelein, Illinois:
Analysis of Sounds at Highway-Rail Crossings and in Residential Neighborhoods

Executive Summary

Railroad train horns appear to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings, even ones with crossing gates. However, the loudness of these horns can be a significant nuisance for residents living near the crossings. For this reason, the Village of Mundelein, Illinois, tested the use of an Automated Wayside Horn System (AWHS), which is mounted at the crossings and directs the horn sound down the roadway. The purpose is to alert the motorist of an approaching train while reducing the noise directed toward residential areas.

Current Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules require that railroad train horns be capable of generating 96 decibels (dB) at 100 feet (30.5 meters) in the forward direction of the train. While the horns are aligned with the direction of train travel, directivity plots of sound levels show that these sounds radiate with minimal decrease up to 60 degrees to each side. This would mean that persons residing away from the railroad would be subject to approximately the same sound volume as those near the tracks.

The analysis of sound levels and acoustical characteristics heard by motorists show minimal differences between the railroad horn and the wayside horn. Motorists approaching the crossing when the gates are being lowered are more likely to hear the wayside horn because it is much louder than the approaching train’s horn. Once the motorist is at the gate, the train horn becomes louder than the wayside horn only when the train is within a few seconds of reaching the crossing.

Frequency and temporal characteristics of both horns are similar, with patterns over the normal ranges for hearing. Finally, residential areas experienced a significant reduction in sound levels once the wayside horns were introduced. In many cases, the wayside horn could not be distinguished from background noises.

To view the full executive summary click here.
To view the full sound study click here.