POLK RAIL QUIET ZONE ANALYSIS Conditions Assessment CSX “S” Line March 24, 2016

Project Purpose Evaluate the potential location of Quiet Zones along the CSX “S” Line in Polk County, Florida to reduce the impact of train noise on local communities.

Reference The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) Train Horn Rule The Final Rule on Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway- Rail Grade Crossings (49 CFR Part 222) Federal regulation requiring the sounding of locomotive horns at public highway-rail grade crossings Under the Train Horn Rule, locomotive engineers must begin to sound train horns at least 15 seconds, and no more than 20 seconds, in advance of all public grade crossings. engineers will not sound the horn until it is within ¼ mile of the crossing, even if the advance warning is less than 15 seconds. The Final Rule also permits the establishment of quiet zones

Reference Guidance for Assessing Noise and Vibration Impacts Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Manual sets standard used by FRA and FTA Identifies process for planning level screening analysis Land use categories for sensitive sites Metrics for noise impacts FTA Noise Impact Assessment Spreadsheet Noise model to assess impact FRA Quiet Zone Calculator Risk and cost assessment of quiet zone implementation

Base of Analysis Desktop Analysis of Conditions (GIS Based) Rail Base 2015 USDOT Rails Layer CSX “S” Line Extent Confirmed Through CSX Contact 2015 USDOT Rail Crossing Layer US DOT Crossing Inventory Forms Train Volume and Speed AM / PM Split Noise Base US Census Population Estimates Estimate Existing Noise Levels FTA Noise Impact Assessment Spreadsheet Area of Effect Land Use Base Polk County Property Appraiser Parcel Data (Feb 2016) DOR Use Code Number of Residential Units

Rail Infrastructure and Operations Mapped the public highway-rail grade crossings Reviewed US DOT Crossing Inventory Form to identify: Number of trains Train speed Day-night split Gate type Vehicle detection ublicsite/downloaddbf.aspx

Screening Distance Screening Distance Determined Through Use of FTA Noise Model (FTA Noise Impact Assessment Spreadsheet) Inputs include: train volumes, train speed, time of day, and estimated existing noise levels Day-Night Sound Level (Ldn) Cumulative noise exposure over 24 hour period Higher sensitivity at night Moderate impact contour set as analysis boundary Moderate noise impact: The change in cumulative noise level is noticeable to most people, but may not be sufficient to cause strong, adverse reactions from the community. Results generally range: 1, ,800 feet

Areas of Potential Disturbance

Illustration: Screening Areas

Identification of Sensitive Use Land use analysis to identify noise-sensitive sites Reference FRA Guidance: Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Category 1: Uses where quiet is Essential Element in their intended purpose Category 2: Residences and buildings where people sleep Category 3: Institutional land uses with primarily daytime and evening use where it is important to avoid interference with focused activities Classified use based on local DOR code Also provided residential units total

Noise Sensitive Use Categories

Illustration: Noise-Sensitive Site Mapping

Analysis Results 52 public crossings (At Grade) on CSX “S” Line Aggregated potential effects by crossing Number of Category 1, 2, 3 Parcels Affected Number of Housing Units Affected Range from 1,687 to 0 sites potentially affected Existing Lakeland Quiet Zone Crossings all fall within the top 15 based on potential effect

Results Summary Top 20

Results Summary

Location of the Top 20 Crossings

Additional Considerations: Proximity Proximity to other crossings No less than ½-mile total length Crossings with less than ¼-mile in separation must be improved as a single zone. Less Than ¼-mile separates the following crossings: Crossings (Lakeland) Crossings Crossings Crossings Crossings Crossings Crossings Underline = Crossing in Top 20

A quiet zone may be designated if the Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) is below the Nationwide Significant Risk Threshold (NSRT) or Risk Index with Horns (RIWH) QZRI - The average risk for all public highway ‐ rail crossings in the quiet zone, including the additional risk for absence of train horns and any reduction in risk due to the risk mitigation measures. NSRT - The level of risk calculated annually by averaging the risk at all of the Nation’s public highway ‐ rail grade crossings equipped with flashing lights and gates where train horns are routinely sounded. RIWH – the average risk for all public highway ‐ rail crossings in the proposed quiet zone when locomotive horns are routinely sounded Additional Considerations: Risk

FRA provides a Quiet Zone calculator Online tool that allows users to access FRA records and test proposed safety implementation plans Tool also provides cost estimates The Top 20 crossing locations were assessed using the quiet zone calculator. With the implementation of Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs), each of the top 20 crossings would meet the minimum risk criteria needed to support the creation of a Quiet Zone. Additional Considerations: Risk Quiet Zone Risk Calculator:

FRA Risk Calculator Results

Additional Consideration: Process One of four qualifying conditions must be met to implement a Quiet Zone One or more Supplemental Safety Measures (SSM) are installed at each public crossing in the Quiet Zone The QZRI is equal to, or less than, the NSRT without implementation of additional safety measures at any crossings in the Quiet Zone Additional Safety Measures (ASM) are implemented at selected crossings resulting in the QZRI being reduced to a level equal to, or less than, the NSRT ASMs are taken at selected crossings resulting in the QZRI being reduced to at least the level of the RIWH Regulation establishes a tradeoff between cost and oversight

Costs for the implementation of a Quiet Zone can range from $30,000 to several million dollars FRA provides basic unit cost estimates for SSMs online in the Quiet Zone calculator Four-quadrant gates upgrade from two quadrant gates, no vehicle presence detection - $100,000 per crossing Four-quadrant gates upgrade from two quadrant gates, with vehicle presence detection - $128,000 per crossing Four-quadrant gates new installation, no vehicle presence detection – $280,000 per crossing Four-quadrant gates new installation with vehicle presence detection – $308,000 per crossing Additional Considerations: Cost

Questions?