FrontRunner SouthQuiet Zone Implementation

Presented byJon D. Cluff

Manager of Engineering and ConstructionUTA FrontRunner South

Quiet Zone Background

• FRA requires train horns (minimum of 96 dBA and max of 110 dBA) for 15 to 20 seconds• FrontRunner South line will have 64 trains per day• Mitigation for train horn noise is creation of Quiet Zone• FRA Final Rule on Quiet Zones effective June 24, 2005• Per Final Rule: Quiet Zones require installation of Supplementary Safety Measures (SSMs)

Local Quiet Zone Basics

• Neither FrontRunner nor freight will sound horns at crossings*• *Operators may sound horn if necessary (workers in corridor, trespassers, etc.)• 44-mile corridor from Provo to Salt Lake will be quiet zone• FrontRunner corridor separates from UPRR between University Parkway and Center Street• Nation’s longest continuous quiet zone between Ogden and Salt Lake• FrontRunner North opened April 26, 2008 and Quiet Zone started May 1, 2008

Quiet Zone Crossing Features

• Active signal devices• Raised medians• Signage

Quiet Zone Crossing Features

• Road profile changes• 200 S. Lehi

Quiet Zone Crossing Features

• Road profile changes • 5900 S. Murray

Upgraded Crossings with SSMs

• Provo: 200 W., 500 W., 700 W., 900 W.• Orem: 400 S.• Vineyard: 400 N.• American Fork: 1500 S., 1100 S., 100 E., Storrs Ave., 200 S.• Lehi: Center St., 200 S., Main St., 500 W.

• South Jordan: Jordan Gateway, 10000 S.• Sandy: 9400 S.• Murray: 5900 S., Vine St., 4800 S., 4500 S. Frontage• Salt Lake City: 1700 S., 900 S., 800 S.

Now with Active Warning Devices

• Provo: Draper Lane, 1680 N., 2800 W.• Orem: 2000 S., 800 S.• Vineyard: Vineyard Rd.• American Fork: 100 W.• Lehi: 900 N., 1500 N.

Now Grade-Separated

• Vineyard: Geneva Rd. • Lehi: 7350 W. Millpond Rd, 2100 N. • South Jordan: 11400 S.

Now Closed

Lehi: 300 E., 300 S., 1220 N.

UTA Safety Outreach

In preparation for quiet zone UTA will:

• Conduct Operation Lifesaver presentations at all schools with boundaries that cross tracks• Launch a safety/awareness campaign about quiet zone (e.g. billboards, radio liners, back-attack bus ads,

information on UTA website, social media)

FrontRunner At-Grade Crossing

• Average gate down time is less than 60 seconds

Implementation Process Timeline

Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

FRA Ranking

City Staff Coordination

City work Session

City Council Approv./ILA

Finalize Report

Notice of Intent (NOI)

30-Day Comment Period

Notice of Estab. (NOE)

3-Week Wait

Train Horns Quieted

Revenue Operations

Additional InformationIf you are interested in riding the FrontRunner

system to see existing crossings first-hand, please contact Jon D. Cluff at 801-287-4728