Here’s why you may be hearing more train horns in Utah soon (but not permanently)

SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4 ) — The Utah Transit Authority and Union Pacific released a joint statement on Tuesday to let Utahns know train horns will be sounding in areas that were previously designated as quiet zones while required maintenance is performed.

Trains will be sounding their horns through “all grade crossings from Ogden to Provo,” as part of a safety measure by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), according to the Oct. 1 release.

UTA and Union Pacific said some quiet zones, which have been in place since 2008, were out of FRA compliance — and before those quiet zones can resume, certain repairs must be completed.

Specifically, the FRA sent a letter to Woods Cross and Lehi City, which applied for quiet zone designation on behalf of several cities.

“Union Pacific and Utah Transit Authority’s compliance of horn sounding keeps people safe in areas where things like striping, signage, curbing and other enhanced safety measures by applicant cities do not meet FRA quiet zone standards,” the joint press release explained.

During the maintenance period, train operators will be instructed (by UTA and Union Pacific) to sound their horns every time trains cross the specified areas. According to regulations, train horns must be sounded for a minimum of 15 seconds and a maximum of 20 seconds ahead of public grade crossings.

The train horns were deemed a “necessary safety measure” by UTA and Union Pacific — but once the affected cities comply with the FRA, the quiet zones can resume. The FRA said quiet zones can only take effect after the required safety measures are operational.

“Localities that want to establish a quiet zone are first required to mitigate the increased risk caused by the absence of a horn,” the FRA explained . “In a quiet zone, train horns may still be used in emergency situations or to comply with other Federal regulations or railroad operating rules.”

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