Quiet Zones

As part of the planning phase for each of the FasTracks corridors, RTD addresses environmental impacts and makes recommendations for minimizing these impacts. Recognizing the effects of train horns on the communities they serve, RTD will assist and facilitate the local jurisdictions' efforts to establish Quiet Zones along the Gold Line, Northwest Rail, East and North Metro Corridors.






















Last year, the RTD Board adopted the Responsible Rail Amendment, which calls for active involvement from RTD in helping communities apply for Quiet Zones along FasTracks commuter rail corridors. RTD is committed to funding grade crossing improvements to mitigate noise and safety impacts as required by federal guidelines.

Quiet Zones, which only apply to trains that run in freight rail corridors, are segments of railroad lines at least a half-mile long where railroad engineers are exempt from sounding their train horns at grade crossings. Even with Quiet Zone implementation, the train horn will be sounded for safety reasons when maintenance crews are along the tracks as well as in emergency situations such as pedestrians along the tracks or vehicles rushing the gates. While RTD does not have the authority to create Quiet Zones, it will facilitate local jurisdictions' efforts by providing both technical resources and project-specific funding for the necessary crossing improvements.

As required by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), a railroad crossing must be as safe with a Quiet Zone as it would be without one. Each Quiet Zone crossing requires the installation and maintenance of active grade crossing warning devices, flashing lights and gates at public crossings, advance warning signs, and constant warning time devices (if feasible). Additionally, the installation and maintenance of Supplemental Safety Measures (SSM) and/or Alternative Safety Measures (ASM) are required for all Quiet Zones.

SSMs include physical barriers, such as closures (permanent and temporary), one-way streets with gates across width, four-quadrant gates and gates with medians that prevent vehicles from driving around the barrier. ASMs are non-physical measures intended to improve grade crossing safety and include public education and awareness and photo enforcement.  

A draft Quiet Zone Work Plan based on the RTD Board's Responsible Rail Amendment, includes details regarding RTD's roles and responsibilities in the process. The plan was presented to the RTD Board and local jurisdictions for review in January, and the final plan is scheduled to be implemented this spring.