2018-061 DCTA Quiet ZonesDate: May 18, 2018 Report No. 2018-061
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Denton County Transportation Authority Quiet Zones on the A-train Rail Corridor.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) has implemented Federal Rail
Administration supplemental safety measures at all at-grade crossings on the corridor establishing
quiet zones (QZ). Due to geometric constraints of rail crossings near roadway intersections, some
QZs are required to have additional safety measures that include wayside horns. Denton has three
of these crossings; Sycamore, Shady Oaks and South Mayhill Road. Of the 39 total QZ at-grade
rail crossings on the A-train corridor, there are only four wayside horn applications, three in
Denton and one in Lewisville.
DISCUSSION:
Council recently requested information regarding QZ applications on the DCTA rail corridor.
More specifically, the question was raised as to why some crossings were truly quiet while some
are not so quiet. QZs are generally established by implementing one of four supplemental safety
measures; 1) closure of the at-grade crossing, 2) install sufficient curbs and medians to prevent
vehicle encroachment or drive arounds, 3) install quad gates – gate at each approach on each side,
4) create a one-way road with a gate. The primary reason for each of the applications is to enhance
safety by preventing vehicles from accessing or attempting to drive through an at-grade crossing.
Note that should a person, animal, vehicle or other safety concern be within 25 feet of a rail line,
the train operator may sound the train mounted horn even in established QZs.
The proximity of roadway intersections within 60 feet of an at-grade rail crossing requires
additional Federal Rail Administration safety measures to be implemented. Wayside horns,
though not quiet, are considered a complimentary quiet zone safety application. Wayside horns
have a reduced noise “footprint” by directing the horn from a fixed location at the rail crossing
directly toward the vehicle approach to the crossing. This directed horn abates the need of the
train operator to sound the train mounted horn which travels linearly through the corridor creating
a larger noise cone.
DCTA reported there are 39 at-grade crossings on the A-train corridor from Denton through
Lewisville. Of the 39 crossings, there are four crossings with wayside horns. Three of these
crossings are located in Denton; Sycamore Street, Shady Oaks and Mayhill Road. The attached
table catalogs the crossings and references which supplemental safety measure has been
implemented at each crossing.
ATTACHMENT(S):
DCTA Quiet Zone Table
Date: May 18, 2018 Report No. 2018-061
STAFF CONTACT:
Mark Nelson
Transportation Director
940.349.7702
Mark.nelson@cityofdenton.com
DCTA Quiet Zone Table
Street Name Crossing ID
Perm
Road
Closure
4 Quad
Gate
Median
Barriers
One Way
w/Gates
Wayside
Horn Reason for Wayside horn
Lakeview Blvd 414690Y X No
Pockrus Page Rd 414688X X No
S Mayhill Rd 414687R Yes Edwards Rd. intersection does not allow for long
enough median on East side of tracks.
Brinker Road 414686J X No
Colorado Blvd 414679Y X No
Shady Oaks Drive 414678S Yes Kerley St. intersection does not allow for long
enough median on East side of tracks.
Duncan Street 414677K X No
Morse Street 414676D X No
Prairie Street 795446C X No
Sycamore Street 795445V Yes Railroad St. intersection does not allow for long
enough median on East side of tracks.
Swisher Road 414698D X No
Burl Street 414697W X No
S Corinth Pkwy 933968G X No
Quail Run Road 415887D X No
N Corinth Pkwy 414694B X No
Walton Drive 414692M X No
Corinth Road 414691F X No
Shady Shores Rd 414689E X No
Carlisle Drive 414704E X No
Betchan Avenue 414702R X No
Main Street 414701J X No
W Hundley Drive 414700C X No
W Overly Drive 414057W X No
Hickory Hill Drive 414014D X No
Kelton Avenue 414705L X No
Frankford Road 415856E X No
Hebron Pkwy 414060E X No
Corporate Drive 966265W X No
Bennett Lane 414615H X No
Business 121 414717F X No
Purnell Street 414716Y X No
Main Street 414715S X No
E College Street 414714K X No
Kealy Street 414713D X No
Valley Ridge 974530E X X No
Jones Street 414711P X No
N Mill Street 414710H X No
Lake Park Road 414708G X No
Eagle Point 414707A X X Yes Planning efforts initiated to close the crossing.
Supplemental Safety Measures
Denton
Hickory Creek
Lewisville
Corinth
Lake Dallas