New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) today announced a series of initiatives developed in conjunction with the Long Rail Road ("LIRR") to reduce train horn noise.

"Excessive train horn noise is a serious threat to the quality-of-life enjoyed in the Village of Cedarhurst and other communities in the Five Towns," said Senator Skelos. "After three years of working with the Rail Road to achieve some relief for local residents, I'm pleased that the Rail Road has finally taken definitive action. The success of these federal waiver applications is critical to this process and I will continue working with the Rail Road to develop new noise mitigation technology that alleviates the impact on surrounding homeowners."

In 1995, the Federal Railroad Administration changed its regulations to require horn blasts between 96 and 110 decibels. To address concerns raised by Cedarhurst residents, Senator Skelos has worked with the LIRR to develop and test various technologies intended to generate less sound than traditional train horns and limit the impact on nearby homeowners. These tests included a wayside horn, a pressure regulated horn and the installation of a noise reducing baffle around the horn. Moreover, Senator Skelos successfully fought to have the LIRR remove a secondary bell at the Cedarhurst train station and lower the maximum volume of train horns.

Through Senator Skelos’ efforts, the LIRR just announced that it is amending its operating rules to reduce horn use by eliminating horn soundings previously required when trains pass stations without stopping during morning and evening rush hours. Now, engineers will only be required to sound the horn for safety reasons at their own discretion. In addition, the LIRR will install a muffling device on the M-7 electric trains to direct the sound down the track and prevent lateral dispersion.

The LIRR is also seeking two federal waivers which will help to reduce excess train noise. The FRA’s 2005 regulations require train engineers to sound two long blasts, a short blast and an additional long blast at all public highway rail grade crossings. The LIRR is requesting permission to return to regulations in effect prior to 2005 of one short blast of the horn when trains depart from stations located within 50 feet of these crossings. The LIRR has identified 24 of these locations, including 18 being Nassau County. The second waiver would lower the minimum 96-decibel level required by the FRA. During the development of these waiver applications, Senator Skelos contacted federal officials encouraging their support.

"These are important steps that will bring some relief to Cedarhurst residents," said Senator Skelos. "These federal regulatory changes have had a harmful impact on the quality-of-life in Cedarhurst and other areas within the Five Towns. I will continue working with the Rail Road to win approval of these waivers and take whatever actions are necessary to solve this problem."

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