Way Side Warning System Toth Industries, LLC Arlington Heights, IL T rackside

Way Side Warning System

Toth Industries, LLC Arlington Heights, IL

Trackside

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Overview

• Background • Community Impact • FRA Requirements

© Toth Industries LLC

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Background: Railroad Accident Study

Federal Railroad Administration Study 1989-1994FRA studied accident rates in communities with horn bans versus those without bans.

Findings indicated 53 to 59 percent fewer accidents when horns are used versus no audible alert.

Investigated 32,405 accidents at highway-rail intersectionsDetermined high fatality rates in train versus motor vehicle accident


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Background: Railroad Accident Study

-

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

Train Accident Study 1989-1994

Collisions

Deaths

Injured

Collisions 6,481 3,241 32,405

Deaths 785 393 3,927

Injured 2,628 1,314 13,142

Average per year

Amt with Warning Sys/year

Total for Study


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Background: Changes in Railroad Laws

Federal Railroad Administration RulingIn 1994, Congress passed the Swift Rail Development Act, Public Law 103-440 (Swift Act), which added Section 20153, Audible Warnings at Highway-Rail Crossings, to Title 49 of the United States Code.

Section 20153 directed the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) to issue a rule requiring the use of train horns at all public highway-rail crossings.


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Impact to the Community

As of April 1st, 2005, trains are required to sound their horns at every rail crossing in the US

Two long blasts, one short blast, one long blast. The SPL (volume) of a typical train blast is 100 dB at 100 ft

Penalties of at least $550 for each violation.


70 dB 80 dB 90 dB 100 dBModerately Loud 2x as loud as moderately

loud4 X as loud as moderately

loudVery Loud - 8X as loud

as moderately loud

Car @ 25 ft @ 65 mph

Typical Home Stereo Chain Saw @ 3 ft

Rock Band

Inside Airplane Cabin

Propeller plane flyover at 1000 ft

Airplane @ 1000 ft Jet flyover at 1000 feet 103 dB

Busy street Diesel truck 40 mph at 50 ft

Power mower Power Saw

Small orchestra Dial tone of telephone Motorcycle at 25 ft Boeing 707 or DC-8 aircraft at one nautical

mile (6080 ft) before Normal conversation at

3-5 ft

Shouting at 3 ft Subway train at 200 ft.

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Sound Comparisons

Note – OSHA (Office of Safety and Health Administration ) requires hearing protection above 90 dB.


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Costs of Noise Pollution

Real Estate values in areas affected by noise pollution from industrial, transportation and commercial sources tend to under perform as compared to similar properties in unaffected areas.


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Quiet Zones

Allowed if physical barriers such as four quadrant gates, raised curbs or other barrier devices are installed.

Capital outlay for physical barriers can be substantial, and range from in excess of $350,000 per intersection.

Quad Gates


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Community Impact Edmonds, WA

Scenario

A train headed southwest would sound the first warning at ¼ mile (1320 ft) prior to the crossing

Color Code

Red = 95dB+

Lavender – 90 dB to 95 dB

Aqua – 85 dB to 90 dB

Orange – 80 dB to 85 dB

Green – 75 dB to 70 dB


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Community Impact

Edmonds, WA – Southbound Train

Ferry Dock, Amtrak Station

Color CodeRed = 95dB+ Lavender – 90 dB to 95 dBAqua – 85 dB to 90 dBOrange – 80 dB to 85 dBGreen – 75 dB to 70 dB


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Community Impact

Edmonds, WA – Southbound Train



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Community Impact

Edmonds, WA – Northbound Train



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Community Impact

Edmonds, WA – Northbound Train



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The conventional horn would sound for a total of 17 seconds 5 sec, 5 sec, 2 sec, 5 sec prior to the first intersection

Total area affected:

988,601,793 Sq ft.


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Solution

Trackside Warning System

Cost Effective Means to meet the FRA requirement of an audible warning at Railroad / Highway intersections.

Improve the quality of life for home owners and businesses adjacent to the Railroad

Uses advanced acoustic technologies originally developed for military hailing and sound weapons equipment to provide:• Focused sound ‘beam’• Realistic reproduction of a train horn


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“Joint Venture”Toth Industries, Conquest Innovations

Toth Industries – Provides the Electronics for the Railroad interface and timing software

Conquest Innovations – Provides the Advanced Acoustics to provide a realistic highly directional simulation of a K5LA locomotive horn.


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FRA Requirements

FRA Requirements for a Wayside System A minimum sound level of 92dBA, and a Maximum of

110dBA at 100 feet

Warning sound is active when the locomotive/lead car enters the intersection.

Trackside System Meets FRA Requirements Volume of 98 dB SPL at 100 ft

Use of presence detection sensors to ensures that the horn is active when the locomotive/lead car enters the intersection.


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Community Impact

Case Study – Edmonds, WA

Approximate area affected by the stationary Trackside System is constant.

Total area affected for each:

481,900 sq ft


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From To


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Noise Impact Comparison Conventional Horn VS Trackside System


Color Affected Area Total Area - 1/4 MileRed 31,415 41,468,196 Purple 101,786 134,356,955 Aqua 152,050 200,706,069 Orange 477,827 630,731,261 Green 1,168,963 1,543,031,573

Total Area 2,550,294,054

Conventional Horn Affected AreaColor Affected Area

Red 30,800 Purple 28,800 Aqua 67,200 Orange 112,000 Green 71,400

Total Area 310,200

Reduction in Affected Area - Trackside vs Conventional Horn 98.00%

Trackside Horn Affected Area

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Contact Us:


www.toth-industries.com

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Way Side Warning System Toth Industries, LLC Arlington Heights, IL T rackside