Report to: Development Services Committee                           Report Date: December 4, 2007

 

 

SUBJECT:                          Update on Train Anti-whistling at Rail Crossings

PREPARED BY:               Sabbir Saiyed, Manager, Transportation, ext. 8120

                                            Domenic Smarrelli, Supervisor, Traffic Operations, ext. 4055

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Update on Train Anti-whistling at Rail Crossings”, be received;

 

And that staff report back on an Automated Horn System and the anti-whistling pilot project in the Unionville and Markham areas;

 

And that staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable.

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial        

 

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

This report provides an update to Council on the status of train anti-whistling at rail crossings on the Uxbridge line in Markham.

 

BACKGROUND:

Uxbridge Line - Description

The Uxbridge Line runs generally in a north-east direction and is owned by GO Transit and operated by CN on their behalf. The most southerly rail crossing is located on Steeles Avenue and the most northerly rail crossing is located on 19th Avenue. In total, there are 17 rail crossings of which eight are under the jurisdiction of York Region, one is under the jurisdiction of the City of Toronto and the remainder of eight crossings are under Markham’s jurisdiction. Most of the rail crossings are fitted with safety features to properly provide advanced warning and restrict road users from entering the rail crossing while in operation. Some of the key safety features include bells, gates, and flashing lights. Other safety features includes traffic signs, pavement markings and fences.

 

September 2003 – Council Request

In September 2003, Council requested staff to report on the feasibility of train whistle cessation at rail crossings. Staff reported back later that month outlining the overall process for the elimination of train whistling at rail crossings. Staff was then directed by Council to investigate train whistle cessation at 17 locations along the Uxbridge Line (Attachment A).  In 2004, staff launched a rail crossing safety audit along the Uxbridge Line which was completed in early 2005. The results of the safety audit identified various rail crossing improvements in order to implement train whistle cessation along the Uxbridge Line. Rail crossing improvements include installation of signs, pavement markings, gates, bells and flashing lights.

 

As Town staff was investigating the train whistle cessation, GO Transit had conducted their own safety review and consequently installed safety measures at six rail crossings along the Uxbridge Line that included, bells, lights and gates at the following locations (see Attachment A):

  • Eureka Street – location 6
  • Main Street Unionville – location 7
  • 16th Avenue – location 12
  • Elgin Mills Road – location 15
  • 9th Line – location 16
  • 19th Avenue – location 17

 

In December 2005, staff contacted GO Transit regarding the safety audit results and discussed liability issues in the event of train whistle cessation implementation at rail crossings. The discussions revealed that the Town and Region would likely assume increased liability where train whistle cessation is implemented at rail crossings.

 

During this process, staff had discussions with the Region regarding train whistle cessation at the eight Regional railway crossings in which all are located in Markham. The Region advised, through their risk management group, that train whistle cessation is not supported at Regional railway crossings due to liability and risks concerns.

 

September 11, 2006 – Anti-whistling Update to Unionville Villagers Association

On September 11, 2006, staff provided a presentation to the Unionville Villagers Association that highlighted the following:

  • Process to implement Train Whistle Cessation at railway crossings
  • Actions taken to date, e.g. installation of gates, bells and lights at railway crossings
  • Key Issues:
    • Liability/Risk associated with the removal of the train whistle
    • Region’s position regarding train whistling

 

May 24, 2007 – York Region’s Council

On May 24, 2007, York Region Council adopted a staff report entitled “Anti-whistling at Regional Road Rail Crossings”, with the following recommendations:

 

  1. An anti-whistling by-law at rail crossings on Regional roads not be considered at this time.

 

  1. The Regional Chair be authorized to send a letter to Transport Canada of the Federal government requesting that York Region rail crossings be included in ongoing tests for the use of Automated Horn Systems (AHS) intended to replace the train whistle.

 

  1. The Regional Chair be authorized to send a letter requesting Transport Canada to accelerate the development of criteria and standards for the use of the AHS and that consideration be given to its application at Regional and Local road rail crossings in York Region to reduce the noise impacts upon adjacent residential areas.

As identified in the Region’s report, train whistle cessation at Markham rail crossings would result in additional liability. Additional liability translates into increased costs for handling, defending and payment of potential claims by the Town or Region. In addition, because the Regional and Town rail crossings are in close proximity to one another, and that the Region is not supportive of train whistling cessation at their rail crossings, train whistling would continue along the Uxbridge Line.

 

 

DISCUSSION:

Train Whistling – General Information

Locomotive engineers are required to sound the train whistle approximately 400 metres (quarter mile) from every public grade crossing and until the rail crossing is fully occupied. Where conditions are met for train whistle cessation, the restriction of whistling could be on a 24 hour basis.  The following factors are considered for train whistling cessation at rail crossings:

o       Train speed

o       Number of tracks

o       Pedestrian/bikeway crossing protection

 

However, even under train whistle cessation at rail crossings, the operator of the train is at liberty to sound the train whistle when deemed necessary.

 

Automated Horn System (AHS)

An alternative to train whistle cessation, which has recently been supported by Transport Canada, is the Automated Horn System (AHS) at level train crossings. The AHS provides constant audible warning, through the use of speakers directly facing traffic lanes, once a signal is received from the approaching train as noted in Attachment ‘B’. Because of this arrangement, this system reduces noise in neighbourhoods beyond 800 meters from the rail crossing. Where the AHS experiences a failure and renders it inactive, such as damaged equipment or a broken cable, the locomotive engineer will use the “on board” train whistle. 

 

Although the AHS may be an alternative option to train whistle cessation, the following concerns require resolution:

  • Excessively loud noise generated by the speakers located at the grade crossings
  • Lack of common standards and specifications
  • Unknown maintenance costs and cost sharing arrangements
  • Increased liability to the Town or Region in case of AHS failure

 

York Region staff have met with both Canadian National Rail and GO Transit to discuss the use of AHS.  There are several outstanding concerns that are preventing the AHS from being fully considered by the Region at this time, namely:  the noise impacts at the grade crossings, the lack of standard specifications available for AHS, safety measures to be used at the crossing and the legal and insurance requirements to implement the system.  York Region staff will continue to collaborate internally with their Risk Management and Legal staff to come up with a plan to continue moving forward on this matter. 

 

At the time of authoring this report, a meeting has been set on November 23, 2007, between Town and Region of York staff to discuss train whistle cessation issues that include the use of AHS on the Uxbridge Line and a pilot project in either the Unionville or Markham area at three crossings. Town staff will verbally update the Development Services Committee on December 4, 2007 on the results of this meeting.  

 

Next Steps

Given the financial and legal implications of both train whistle cessation and the AHS, it is recommended that the Engineering, Legal and Finance Departments, continue to work with the Region, GO Transit, and Transport Canada to address the train anti-whistling requests in Markham and update Council.

 

Because both Town and Regional rail crossings are within close proximity of each other, a consistent approach to all railway crossings is desirable.

 

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

The amount of $182,145 has been budgeted for the train whistle cessation project in accounts 083-5350-6146-005 and 083-5399-6501-005 for capital works associated with train whistle cessation.

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Finance and Planning Departments have reviewed this report and their comments have been incorporated.

 

RECOMMENDED BY:  

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Brown, C.E.T.

Director of Engineering

 

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P

Commissioner, Development Services

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment A – Uxbridge Train Line

Attachment B – Automated Horn System Sound Contour