If you live anywhere near a set of train tracks, chances are you’re all too familiar with the screaming blare of a train’s whistle. Reducing train noise may be difficult, unless you plan on moving, soundproofing your house is the best option to reduce the noise disturbance. This will allow you to block Train Horns & Whistle Noises altogether.
It may seem like these horns and whistles were designed to test the sanity of all within hearing distance, however they are in fact used as a safety precaution. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) actually requires all trains to sound their horns as a warning to oncoming traffic and pedestrians 15-20 seconds before entering a public highway-rail grade crossing. If the train is moving at a speed greater than 60 mph, the conductor is required to begin sounding the horn when the train is a full quarter mile away from the crossing.
To ensure the whistle is audible to all individuals in the surrounding area, it sounds at a minimum of 90 decibels and can reach up to 110 decibels, much louder than any other common city noise. A distinct pattern of 2 long blows, 1 short blow and then another long blow is used to distinguish the train’s horn from any other noise.
With that being said, there are ways to block the sound of train horns, whistles and noises from entering into your home.
If you’re fed up with the constant train whistling, you may be able to go straight to the source. Some areas are eligible to become Quiet Zones by request, where horn restrictions can be put in place to reduce train noise near residential and commercial areas.
Quiet Zone qualification is only available in locations where there have been no ‘relevant collisions.’ In order to be considered, citizens must prove that the noise is having detrimental effects on the community. Applicants must also take action to improve train safety through other means such as putting up additional crossing signs and arms, or holding local education programs, informing drivers of the potential danger.
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners in Powder Springs recently approved a Quiet Zone in the center of town. The town installed new safety equipment and updated sensors as alternative safety precautions.
In Illinois, 64% of people live within a mile of railroad crossings. It comes as no surprise that the state has seen a dramatic rise in public support for Quiet Zones, and the zones have begun to appear all over the state.
Are you interested in turning your area into a Quiet Zone?
Request a Quiet Zone In Your Area
Becoming an approved Quiet Zone requires a large community effort, which is not always feasible. For individuals who are unable to achieve the qualifications required for Quiet Zone consideration, soundproofing is the solution.
The sound of a train’s horn, and it’s wheels squeaking on the tracks are typically a high-frequency sounds, meaning they have a shorter wavelength. High-frequency noises are easier to block than their low-frequency counterparts. The easiest ways to reduce these noises is by installing sound blocking products at the source of entry into your home.
Train noise can prevent you from conducting focused activities and can even hinder your ability to sleep through the night. Stop train noise in its tracks (pun intended) by taking advantage of soundproofing solutions and talking to your city officials about becoming a Quiet Zone.
In summary, it can difficult to live near train tracks, if you work from home it can make it hard to focus on your job, and at night train horns can be so loud they keep you awake or wake you up from your sleep. Unfortunately, by law train horns have to be extremely loud to warn anyone in the surrounding areas that they’re coming. This ensures the safety of passengers in cars as well as pedestrians in case they’re too close to train tracks at the time a train is coming for some reason.
Here’s a review of the tips we have for reducing train noise in your home if you do live near the train tracks:
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