BNSF train at Boulevard Park. Photo by Stacie Michaelson.

Railroad Crossing Safety and Quiet Zones for Trains

The City is in the process of efforts to reduce the noise generated by train horns through the establishment of quiet zones. The local railway company in Bellingham, BNSF, is required by federal regulations to sound train horns at all intersections where roads and railroad tracks cross on the same level (called “at-grade crossings”), regardless of the time of day.

Bellingham is split into two quiet zone areas, designated as the Waterfront Quiet Zone and Fairhaven Quiet Zone. There are 11 total at-grade crossings in the city – six in the Waterfront Quiet Zone area and five in the Fairhaven Quiet Zone area. Some of these crossings are on City of Bellingham property and others are on Port of Bellingham property. Any work within the railroad right-of-way must be performed by BNSF. As of early 2025, the Fairhaven Quiet Zone is active. Work on the Waterfront Quiet Zone continues.

Bellingham Quiet Zone FAQ

A quiet zone is a stretch of railroad track where the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has agreed that trains are not required to sound the horn at each public crossing except in emergencies. Quiet zones are at least a half-mile long.

Only the FRA can grant a quiet zone through the quiet zone application process. Before a quiet zone can be established, all of the crossings in a zone must be constructed to quiet zone standards. Meeting these standards requires installing a system of devices and completing roadway construction at each crossing, which is often expensive.

Local government must work in cooperation with the railroad and the state transportation authority to assess the risk of collision at each proposed grade crossing. A determination is made about the safety improvements necessary to reduce the risk associated with silencing the horns based on local conditions such as road traffic volumes, train traffic volumes, the accident history and physical characteristics of the crossing, and existing safety measures.

Communities can invest in additional grade-crossing safety measures to qualify for a quiet zone. These measures can include median dividers, full-width automated crossing gates that lower as a train approaches, grade separations, and crossing closures. The actions taken depend on the calculation of potential risk at each of the crossings within a proposed quiet zone. Pedestrian crossings require additional warning signs or upgrades.

Once all necessary safety engineering improvements are complete, the local community must certify to FRA that the required level of risk reduction has been achieved. A quiet zone becomes effective and train horns go silent only when all necessary additional safety measures are installed, operational, and approved.

Last updated on March 10, 2025

Fairhaven Quiet Zone

As of March 10, 2025, all crossings within this zone are upgraded and approved and the Fairhaven Quiet Zone is active. Train horns will now only be required to sound in Fairhaven in specific situations for safety purposes, including emergencies such as vehicles or pedestrians on the tracks, when trains accelerate from a stopped position and during track maintenance.

Waterfront Quiet Zone (all in City property or City right-of-way)

Progress is ongoing for establishing the Waterfront Quiet Zone. Three crossings have been upgraded, with design underway for a fourth, and the remaining two pending funding.

  • In progress:
    • Pine Street crossing
      • Project design started in November 2024. We expect design to be complete and construction bidding to take place by the end of 2026.
  • The remaining two crossings in the Waterfront Quiet Zone are dependent on future funding:
    • Central Street crossing
    • Cornwall Avenue crossing

Train Horn FAQ

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has jurisdiction over train horns and train noise. More information on Train Horns and Quiet Zones can be found on the FRA website. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is the state agency responsible for railroad crossing safety, but the UTC does not have jurisdiction over train horns or train noise. The City of Bellingham has no regulatory authority over trains.

Historically, railroads have sounded locomotive horns or whistles in advance of grade crossings as a safety precaution. The FRA requires that freight and passenger trains sound horns 20 seconds prior to reaching public crossings, 24 hours a day, to warn motorists and pedestrians that a train is approaching, unless a quiet zone has been approved.

Train crews may also sound their horns when there is a vehicle, person, or animal on or near the track, and the crew determines it is appropriate to provide warning. Crews may also sound the horn when there are track or construction workers within 25 feet of a live track, or when gates and lights at the crossing are not functioning properly.

Under the Train Horn Rule, locomotive engineers must sound train horns for a minimum of 15 seconds, and a maximum of 20 seconds, prior to entering crossings. Wherever feasible, train horns must be sounded in a standardized pattern of 2 long, 1 short, and 1 long. The horn must continue to sound until the lead locomotive or train car occupies the grade crossing.

The maximum volume for a train horn has been established at 110 decibels, and the minimum volume is 96 decibels.

Yes. Freight and passenger trains will still sound horns in emergency situations, such as when a car or pedestrian is on the tracks. Trains are also required to sound horns when accelerating from a stopped position and when crews and equipment are working on the track.

Additional Information

In 2007, the City contracted with HDR to create a Quiet Zone Report. In 2014, City Council passed a resolution in support of the City taking actions to establish railroad quiet zones within Bellingham.

Contact

Email: AskPW@cob.org

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