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North Beach has a Quiet Zone, now what about the rest of the City?
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The City continues to push for a Quiet Zone for the entire City. This has been a long, bureaucratic and legal process, but the City has made tremendous headway in our efforts.
The latest major victory came on July 18, 2012, a Proposed Decision was issued by Administrative Law Judge Robert Mason in the City of San Clemente’s Application for authority to construct an Alternative Warning System (AWS) at the San Clemente Trail Crossings. Judge Mason Proposed Decision finds that the CPUC does have the jurisdiction to approve the use of an AWS at the crossings in the place of the sounding of train horns, effectively adopting the position that San Clemente advocated in its briefs.
This Proposed Decision must be voted upon by the full Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in order to become final, and it is likely to come before the Commission at a meeting in late August or early September. If adopted, the decision provides that the Judge shall convene a prehearing conference to set a schedule for the next phase of the case, in which San Clemente will have the opportunity to establish that the AWS will provide an adequate warning to pedestrians and bicycle riders.
After we make it through all of this, the City and OCTA will have the improvement plans finalized and approved by the PUC. It is anticipated that the improvements will take approximately one year to complete once started.
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North Beach Receives Quiet Zone Designation
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On December 21st the Quiet Zone went into effect for the North Beach Area. Thanks to a tremendous undertaking by dedicated members of our community, OCTA and The City of San Clemente, the train will not sound their horns (except in specific circumstances) at the North Beach pedestrian crossing at the end of Avenida Estacion, and at the vehicular crossing at Send De La Playa next to the North Beach Metrolink Station. The remaining pedestrian and vehicular crossings are being improved with supplemental safety measures with the intention to add them to the Quiet Zone in the future.
Please use extra caution while driving/walking through railroad crossings since the horn that served as one of the warnings, will not be sounded routinely.
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When would a train still blow its horn?
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Communication efforts to the railroads and engineers are underway; however there may likely be an adjustment period once the quiet zone goes into effect. The standard horn pattern sounded for public railroad crossings is two long, one short and one long. A sounding of the train horn in this specific pattern would likely be considered a violation in an established quiet zone; however, it is also important to note that there still will be times when trains horns may be heard. Neighboring cities may not have established quiet zones so residents may still hear horns sounded in nearby areas.
In addition, train engineers are still permitted to sound the horn as a warning:
In an emergency
When there is a trespasser on the tracks
If the automatic warning devices are malfunctioning or out of service
In an area where construction or maintenance crews are along or within the railroad right-of-way
If there is a safety concern at the station (however the train is only required to ring the engine bell while pulling in and out of a passenger station) and
According to other Federal Railroad Administration requirements
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Reporting a Train Violation
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In reporting a train horn violation within the Quiet Zone, it is important to provide as much information as possible. Unfortunately, violations may occur at any time, so if you are unable to provide all the information requested below, we will still use any information provided. The complaint will be kept on file with the City and forwarded to both the appropriate railroad and the Federal Railroad Administration with a request to take action.
Information required to report a train horn violation includes:
Name of the specific railroad operator
Date and time of day
Railroad crossing location
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QUITE ZONE EFFORTS IN THE REST OF THE CITY
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The City of San Clemente continues to complete improvements and pursue a Quiet Zone designation for the entire City. The City’s efforts have entailed a multi-pronged strategy that includes administrative approaches with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC); legislative approaches with the federal and state governments; and evaluating infrastructure improvements. Councilmember Lori Donchak and Mayor Pro Tem Tim Brown serve as the City’s designated Quiet Zone representatives.
The City is currently pursuing an Audible Warning System (AWS) as a feasible solution to reducing train horn noise and lessening the environmental impact the train horns have on residents, beach goes and trail users.
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Audible Warning System Highlights
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The City of San Clemente has seven (7)
pedestrian railroad crossings lining its beach trail that allow users to access the coastline safely. In an effort to reduce or eliminate train horn noise at these crossings, the City in partnership with OCTA is pursuing the implementation of an Audible Warning System (AWS).
The City of San Clemente is considering the implementation of an AWS at its seven (7) rail crossings. An AWS is a stationary horn system at railroad crossings that sounds off a warning, directed towards pedestrians when a train approaches. While in place, it substitutes for the sound of a train horn.
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Safety Tips
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It is very important to stay clear of the railroad right of way. Never use tracks as a path or walkway. Not only will this cause the engineer to blow the horn, but it is dangerous and illegal.
When pulling up to a railroad crossing, do not drive all the way up to the crossing gates. You are required to stop and wait at the “Stop Here” signs, or you will receive a traffic ticket. An engineer that observes vehicles pulled all the way up to the crossing gate will blow the horn to warn motorists of their approach.
Click Here to view additional information on how to enhance rail safety in our community.
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