49 C.F.R. Subpart B—Use of Locomotive Horns
Title 49 - Transportation
(a) Except as provided in this part, the locomotive horn on the lead locomotive of a train, lite locomotive consist, individual locomotive, or lead cab car shall be sounded when such locomotive or lead cab car is approaching a public highway-rail grade crossing. Sounding of the locomotive horn with two long, one short, and one long blast shall be initiated at a location so as to be in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section and shall be repeated or prolonged until the locomotive or train occupies the crossing. This pattern may be varied as necessary where crossings are spaced closely together. (b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the locomotive horn shall begin to be sounded at least 15 seconds, but no more than 20 seconds, before the locomotive enters the crossing. (2) Trains, locomotive consists, and individual locomotives traveling at speeds in excess of 45 mph shall not begin sounding the horn more than one-quarter mile (1,320 feet) in advance of the nearest public highway-rail grade crossing, even if the advance warning provided by the locomotive horn will be less than 15 seconds in duration. (c) As stated in §222.3(c) of this part, this section does not apply to any Chicago Region highway-rail grade crossing at which railroads were excused from sounding the locomotive horn by the Illinois Commerce Commission, and where railroads did not sound the horn, as of December 18, 2003. (a)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, a locomotive engineer may sound the locomotive horn to provide a warning to animals, vehicle operators, pedestrians, trespassers or crews on other trains in an emergency situation if, in the locomotive engineer's sole judgment, such action is appropriate in order to prevent imminent injury, death, or property damage. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, including provisions addressing the establishment of a quiet zone, limits on the length of time in which a horn may be sounded, or installation of wayside horns within quiet zones, this part does not preclude the sounding of locomotive horns in emergency situations, nor does it impose a legal duty to sound the locomotive horn in such situations. (b) Nothing in this part restricts the use of the locomotive horn in the following situations: (1) When a wayside horn is malfunctioning; (2) When active grade crossing warning devices have malfunctioned and use of the horn is required by one of the following sections of this chapter: §§234.105, 234.106, or 234.107; or (3) When grade crossing warning systems are temporarily out of service during inspection, maintenance, or testing of the system. (c) Nothing in this part restricts the use of the locomotive horn for purposes other than highway-rail crossing safety (e.g., to announce the approach of a train to roadway workers in accordance with a program adopted under part 214 of this chapter, or where required for other purposes under railroad operating rules). This rule does not require the routine sounding of locomotive horns at private highway-rail grade crossings. Except as specified in this section, this part is not meant to address the subject of private grade crossings and is not intended to affect present State or local laws or orders, or private contractual or other arrangements regarding the routine sounding of locomotive horns at private highway-rail grade crossings. (a) Private highway-rail grade crossings may be included in a quiet zone. (b)(1) Private highway-rail grade crossings that are located in New Quiet Zones or New Partial Quiet Zones and allow access to the public, or which provide access to active industrial or commercial sites, may be included in a quiet zone only if a diagnostic team evaluates the crossing and the crossing is equipped or treated in accordance with the recommendations of such diagnostic team. (2) The public authority shall provide the State agency responsible for grade crossing safety and all affected railroads an opportunity to participate in the diagnostic team review of private highway-rail grade crossings. (c)(1) At a minimum, every private highway-rail grade crossing within a New Quiet Zone or New Partial Quiet Zone shall be marked by a crossbuck and a “STOP” sign, which are compliant with MUTCD standards unless otherwise prescribed by State law, and shall be equipped with advance warning signs in compliance with §222.35(c) of this part. (2) At a minimum, every private highway-rail grade crossing within a Pre-Rule Quiet Zone or Pre-Rule Partial Quiet Zone shall, by June 24, 2008, be marked by a crossbuck and a “STOP” sign, which are compliant with MUTCD standards unless otherwise prescribed by State law, and shall be equipped with advance warning signs in compliance with §222.35(c) of this part. This rule does not require the routine sounding of locomotive horns at pedestrian crossings. Except as specified in this section, this part is not meant to address the subject of pedestrian crossings and is not intended to affect State or local laws or orders, or private contractual or other arrangements, regarding the routine sounding of locomotive horns at pedestrian crossings. (a) Pedestrian crossings may be included in a quiet zone. (b) Pedestrian crossings that are located in New Quiet Zones or New Partial Quiet Zones may be included in a quiet zone only if a diagnostic team evaluates the crossings and the crossings are equipped or treated in accordance with the recommendations of such diagnostic team. (c) The public authority shall provide the State agency responsible for grade crossing safety and all affected railroads an opportunity to participate in diagnostic team reviews of pedestrian crossings. (d) Advance warning signs. (1) Each pedestrian crossing within a New Quiet Zone shall be equipped with a sign that advises the pedestrian that train horns are not sounded at the crossing. Such sign shall conform to the standards contained in the MUTCD. (2) Each pedestrian crossing within a New Partial Quiet Zone shall be equipped with a sign that advises the pedestrian that train horns are not sounded at the crossing between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Such sign shall conform to the standards contained in the MUTCD. (3) Each pedestrian crossing within a Pre-Rule Quiet Zone shall be equipped by June 24, 2008 with a sign that advises the pedestrian that train horns are not sounded at the crossing. Such sign shall conform to the standards contained in the MUTCD. (4) Each pedestrian crossing within a Pre-Rule Partial Quiet Zone shall be equipped by June 24, 2008 with a sign that advises the pedestrian that train horns are not sounded at the crossing for a specified period of time. Such sign shall conform to the standards contained in the MUTCD.
Title 49: Transportation
PART 222—USE OF LOCOMOTIVE HORNS AT PUBLIC HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSINGS
Subpart B—Use of Locomotive Horns
§ 222.21 When must a locomotive horn be used?
§ 222.23 How does this regulation affect sounding of a horn during an emergency or other situations?
§ 222.25 How does this rule affect private highway-rail grade crossings?
§ 222.27 How does this rule affect pedestrian crossings?
