Quiet zones praised in several California cities

By: PAUL SISSON - Staff Writer | Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:39 PM PDT ∞

Amtrack zooms by honking the horn at the railroad crossing on Surfrider St. in Oceanside Thursday night.
J. Kat Woronowicz/For the North County Times
Order a copy of this photo
Visit our Photo Gallery

While several San Diego County cities, including Oceanside, Carlsbad and Encinitas, are trying to silence train horns by creating quiet zones, several other California communities have already cut the "woo woo" from the choo-choo ---- and residents there say the hush has been heavenly.

Six California cities ---- Sacramento, Richmond, San Jose, Campbell, Placentia and Pomona ---- have created, or are in the process of creating, quiet zones, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

The zones mean train conductors sound warning horns only in emergencies. If no quiet zone is in place, trains must blast their horns as they approach each railroad crossing.

The push for quiet zones along North County's coastal rail route has been going on since the Federal Railroad Administration decided in June 2005 to allow communities to create such zones, provided certain safety guidelines were met.

Now, local interest in quiet zones is growing as the Sprinter light-rail line prepares to open in December, sending commuter trains from Escondido to Oceanside several times a day. The trains would cross roughly 36 intersections along the route.

Still, several issues remain unresolved, including how to convince cities to implement quiet zones and how to pay for them.

Residents praise changes

The city of Richmond, with four established quiet zones, is at the forefront of the nation's new experience with quieting trains. Residents and government officials there said persistence has been the key to silencing train horns.

Dr. Louis Hagler, who used to live in the city's tony bayside "Point Richmond" neighborhood, said that he and his neighbors began putting pressure on the local, state and federal governments in 2001 to silence horns at nine railroad crossings throughout the city.

That prodding included writing letters, calling the city and even recording the number of horn blasts each day to establish a "base level" of noise that policy makers could use in making a decision.

Similar levels of activism in North County have had fewer immediate results.

In Carlsbad, Max Rabii, who manages an apartment complex next to the railroad tracks, has tried his own prodding of the local city council. Despite a petition to create a quiet zone, there has been little action so far. He said his tenants often flee the loud horns.

"It shakes the building," Rabii said. "People, they put their earplugs in their ears when they sleep and it still wakes them up."

Years of lobbying eventually worked in Richmond. In April 2004, the Richmond City Council passed a quiet zone resolution. It took more than a year of coordinating with rail companies and federal agencies for the zone to take effect.

Hagler, who refers to trains' warning horns as "noise pollution," said the silence was worth the work and the wait, though horns still sometimes blow in the area.

"The quiet zones have helped; there is significantly less horn blowing than there was before," Hagler said.

David Moore, who still lives in the Point Richmond neighborhood, said the quiet zone has brought serenity to his life.

"The noise during the day when I was working was irritating, but the noise at night was insufferable," Moore said. "When the quiet zones were first implemented, people were in a bit of a daze to grasp the idea that it could be so quiet at night."

Richmond City Attorney Carlos Privat said public reaction to the first quiet zone, the one near the city's most expensive and sought-after bayfront homes, has been the most dramatic in the year since horns stopped blowing.

"Its helped immensely. I don't hear their complaints. I don't get their e-mails. I don't get their angry telephone calls about the horns anymore," Privat said.

Paying for improvements

Farther down the bay, San Jose also has a quiet zone in place on a 5.3-mile extension of a light-rail line that connects downtown with some of the city's suburbs.

Amy Olay, San Jose's senior city engineer, said that citizens living along the tracks called for the quiet zone and that the cost of the extra railroad equipment necessary to silence train horns was rolled into the cost of building the rail line extension.

"It has been up and running at three intersections since late 2005," she said. "Generally, there have been no complaints."

Officials in Richmond and San Jose, and also in the city of Pomona in Southern California, said they have paid relatively little to institute quiet zones.

That would not be the case in Oceanside, where the city is considering a five-crossing quiet zone on the coastal rail line through the city's beach neighborhoods and where residents would be asked to foot the bill.

City documents state that four-way gates and taller medians would need to be installed at those intersections and that the improvements would cost between $7 million and $9 million. A special assessment for 1,000 properties closest to the tracks would cost property owners between $320 and $725 per year for 20 years to finance a bond that would pay for the improvements, city officials have said.

It appears unlikely that residents are willing to pay. In a recent city survey, 11,000 residents who live west of I-5 were against a special assessment for quiet zones by a margin of three to one.

In Richmond, Privat said that most of the improvements necessary for that city's quiet zones were already in place. He said the cost to get the zone up and running had more to do with back-and-forth negotiations with railroads and regulators than it did with installing more equipment.

Though he did not have to pay extra for his newfound quiet, Moore said he would be willing to pony up for silence.

"I would pay $700 a year for the serenity that quiet zones offer," Moore said.

Likewise, Hagler said the cost would be worth it if he found himself again living in an area where train horns regularly blast.

"I would be happy to pay $300 a year. It would be a wash in terms of what I would save in paying for blood pressure medication," Hagler said.

Contact staff writer Paul Sisson at (760) 901-4087 or psisson@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

Next Previous

More Stories

22 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

The City gains wrote on Aug 15, 2007 7:31 AM: The Cities gain from higher sales tax and property tax surrounding the tracks. The coast area is the most populated and revenue generating area for the Cities. It’s stupid for the Cities not to implement quiet zones. It means more peace along our coast which is good for all. Encinitas is smart to be pursuing quiet zones. As usual, Oceanside isn't quit as smart.

NCTD should pay wrote on Aug 15, 2007 7:33 AM:Before NCTD, the tracks used to have about 12 trains per day. Now there are over 55 trains per day and NCTD is projecting over 100 trains per day in the future. NCTD should mitigate their noise increase along the coast by implementing (paying) for the quiet zones. Its just good business.

no haters wrote on Aug 15, 2007 9:35 AM:Usually there are a few [people] on here throwing out the usual "You moved down to the tracks and now complain..." crap around. I am glad they are at home blogging about something else. Because those trains are crazy when they wail. I love the coaster and amtrak but I would love them more if they were silent. But I still want to throw rocks at the freights for years of abuse. Those guys smile when they do it.

Carter: wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:11 AM: SANDAG would never include quiet zones cost in the original cost of Sprinter. I'll bet they talked about it and that they had planning that included quiet zones and rejected it. The cities must pay extra money for it of course - that includes the cost of removing the original installation. We need that sprinter - how else will we get our illegals to their construction jobs on time?

Absolutely Needed In Oceanside wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:17 AM:The Quiet Zone is essential in Oceanside. The city should come up with a funding plan that is shared by all of the people that will benefit, not just 1,000 homes that are closest to the tracks. The new timeshare/hotel/resort should pick up a big portion since their guests are going to be impacted by train horns at night. Increased parking fees for people who use the train should be considered. New construction in the city (residential, commercial, retail, sporting facilities) could be assessed a fee to help cover the costs. The city needs to be creative and get this done.

Engineer Bill wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:49 AM:The fact of more commuter trains and the Amtrak Surfliner means that people from inland are coming to the coast communities to catch a ride to San Diego. They buy gas, snacks and goods in these communities, adding to local tax revenues. Don't complain about the train horns! Think of it as the blessing which it is. Oh, and why did you buy a place by the railroad tracks anyway? Maybe because it was cheaper than a similar house in the same neighborhood a little ways away from the track. STOP WHINING!

Ridiculous! wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:58 AM:This article is really slanted to support the selfish wishes of a several dozen residents over the common sense that the rest of the 170,000 residents are showing. Further the $700 figure is absolutely wrong.That is a guestimate at best. The people closest the tracks will pay substantially more for each parcel they own. That could run up to $2,000 apiece. Frankly I'm not going to benefit from this mass expenditure and believe the people who bought near the tracks are being ridiculous! I was downtown several time this week and once the train passes you by the sound is gone! How selfish to continue to give these people newspaper space when the vast majority of residents simply don't want this.

To Engineer Billy wrote on Aug 15, 2007 11:34 AM:The trains are a blessing but the horns are a nuisance. It is possible to have both, trains and no horns. Improving the quality of life is a good thing. There are always negative curmudgeons out there who are really the ones that are whining. I don't live by the tracks at all, but I am all for making our cities better. Silencing the excessive train noise will make our cities better for residents and tourists which will increase local tax revenues even more. The debate isn't about trains or no trains. It's about mitigating unnecessary noise pollution and making the environment more enjoyable. Get on board Engineer Billy!

Find Another Source wrote on Aug 15, 2007 1:55 PM:I agree that Quiet Zones are needed, but the expense shouldn't solely rest on the homeowners. How did Richmond, San Jose, and Pomona get quiet zones and pay relatively little? Perhaps our city leaders should consult with them about how to get this done the right way.

Why Can't Oceanside wrote on Aug 15, 2007 2:22 PM:If other cities in this country have paid relatively little to institute quiet zones, why can't Oceanside? I agree with "Absolutely Needed in Oceanside." Get creative, City Council!

The Usual Nonsense wrote on Aug 15, 2007 6:56 PM:SANDAG is absolutely the worst planning agency in creation. First they spend WAAAAAAY too much money on the Sprinter train to nowhere. Then they have all their bureaucrats running around telling their SANDAG representatives that they MUST go home and ransack their general plans screwing up their cities and building multifamily housing right up against the tracks. Then when the people move into the housing they go crazy from the noise and want quiet zones which are very dangerous. Dum-Dums like Mator Desmond in San Marcos buy into this scheme hook line and sinker.

Oh brother! wrote on Aug 15, 2007 8:02 PM:I hear a sound too- the agonizing, self-agrandizing sound of people who were too lame to buy a house away from the tracks and now have the nerve to complain. Oh my...I need earplugs..no, what I really need is for these transplanted NIMBYs to move...oh please. Let me be peaceful and live in relative silence again while I enjoy the nostaligic sound of the trains.

old timer wrote on Aug 15, 2007 8:26 PM:I agree with ridiculous. You move to the beach, deal with the noise! Those tracks are safe, no one has ever been hurt on them and the train noise doesn't bother me because I don't live around them. I also like driving my Hummer around and taking up 2 spaces because it's all about me. NIMBY's need to get a clue, unless it's me, of course!

The horns have a reason wrote on Aug 16, 2007 6:36 AM:There is a real reason for those horns. They are Warning Horns ! Get it through your heads that if we don't have them, we will have wholsale slaughter on the Sprinter tracks. The main reason is that they go through the MIDDLE of our cities, cutting a swath of "progress" to make light rail possible. If they had built the light rail elevated or beneath street level, the way it is in other areas, we might have a chance. These are very busy streets it will be crossing every 15 minutes at a minimum. If we dont have any adequate AUDIBLE warnings, then the inevitable will happen. There is NO WAY that the people who happen to be in close proximity to the Sprinter should have to pay for quiet zones. They would be contributing to the accidents and deaths.

Deal with the noise wrote on Aug 16, 2007 6:38 AM:Deal with the noise. The traffic congestion will be bad enough ! Get real.

Sounding warning horns still an option wrote on Aug 16, 2007 6:40 AM:Check with the governmental agencies. Waste time to look it up. Quiet zones are dangerous. Engineers still have the option to sound their warnings. My bet is that they will sound them regardless of who gets what city to establish "quiet zones".

Quiet Zones Aren't Dangerous wrote on Aug 16, 2007 9:05 AM:There is no data indicating that quiet zones are dangerous. The people that get killed on train tracks are either trying to circumvent the existing crossings or want to commit suicide. Quiet zone crossing are safer than existing crossings.

Praise wrote on Aug 16, 2007 3:11 PM:Quiet Zones have been praised in many California cities! They can and will be praised in San Diego cities as well! Quiet the horns in the areas we can and let the horns sound in the areas that are too dangerous. Driving cars through uncontrolled intersections or intersections with stop signs as opposed to stop lights is more dangerous than quiet zones. Maybe we should all honk our horns at intersections that aren't controlled by stop lights just in case! That's how absurd you people who oppose quiet zones sound.

Don't Give Up So Easy wrote on Aug 16, 2007 3:45 PM:When there is a problem, don't just "deal with it." What kind of "don't do anything to make things better" attitude is that. Oh, you have cancer? Just deal with it. Oh, there's a crime problem? Just deal with it. Oh, there's pollution? Just deal with it. Good citizens don't simply accept poor conditions, they help make them better. People with complacent attitudes don't prosper. Let's deal with the noise pollution problem by dealing with it the right way. Quiet zones should be implemented.

jr wrote on Aug 17, 2007 10:54 AM:" KISS = simple economics. Build it, they will come...and the whole city infrastucture prospers from increased property & tourist revenues...tax every APN# 10 or 20 bucks...problem solved

Righ On Jr wrote on Aug 17, 2007 1:12 PM:You got it, Jr. The city of Oceanside has over 65,000 homes and businesses. A nominal annual assessment as well as some other funding sources will take care of the cost. You should be on City Council!

SUSAN R wrote on Nov 4, 2007 10:48 AM:Congratulations on your quiet zones. You are the lucky ones. People living across the country are trying and working hard to get what you have. You should be very grateful to those who worked hard to give you this gift. It wasn't easy but it was well worth it.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.

Submit Comment[-]

(optional)
   

Advertisement

Videos