Effect of installation location on railroad horn sound levels.

PDFResearch PaperDTS-34-RR297-LR1FRA/RDV-03/02Audible warning devicesHornsRailroad safetyRailroad grade crossingsSound levelLocomotivesUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Railroad AdministrationRapoza, Amanda S.Fleming, Gregg G.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and DevelopmentNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail Laws and RegulationsNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail SafetyVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center(FRA) issuance of a Proposed Rule for the \ue2\u20ac\u153Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-RailGrade Crossings\ue2\u20ac?1. This rule contains numerous provisions, two of which are addressedin this study. The first provision addressed in this study states that the sound level generated by the horn, when measured at the side of the locomotive, shall not exceed the sound level measured in front of the locomotive. In the late 1980\ue2\u20ac\u2122s it became the de facto standard to install horns on the top/center portion of the locomotive. This was done in an attempt toreduce the noise exposure for the locomotive cab occupants. However, due topropagation effects at the measurement locations, the result was that measured soundlevels off to the side of the locomotive were often higher than levels in front of thelocomotive. The FRA proposed this provision to prevent the excessive distribution ofsound to the side, which adds to community noise exposure. This provision could forcerailroad operators to relocate most center-installed horns. A large number of negativecomments were received on this provision, suggesting that this relocation would beunacceptable for the locomotive crew.The second provision states maximum sound levels could be established for thelocomotive horn as follows: a \ue2\u20ac\u2dclow\ue2\u20ac\u2122 maximum level of 104 dB(A), for use at activecrossings; and a \ue2\u20ac\u2dchigh\ue2\u20ac\u2122 maximum level of 111 dB(A), for use at passive crossings. Thiswas proposed in response to public concerns of unacceptable community noise exposure