2008-02-22_APPLICATION CORRESPONDENCE - C2008086 (39)

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CHAPTERFOUR Environmental Consequences and Mitigation Four-Quadrant Traffic Control Devices The public requested that a grade crossing alternative be studied where the sounding the horn is not required. A noise analysis of a "quiet zone" created by installing the four-quadrant traffic control device was completed at each road/railroad location. This analysis used similar procedures and is summarized below. The FTA train horn noise model was used to predict noise levels from the locomotives, excluding train horn noise. The model evaluated the noise generated from three diesel locomotives per train, at each railroad grade crossing. CR M.8 Grade Crossing with Four-Quadrant Traffic Control The results from the railroad horn noise model, excluding train horn noise, at the proposed CR M8 grade crossing are shown in Figure 4-7, County Road M6 Grade Crossing with Four Quadrant Traffic Control Railroad Noise Impacts. For comparative purposes, a 0.5 mile noise envelope was used centered on the CR M8 crossing. Receptors R1, R3, and R4 will hear the train with each pass, but impacts are below the moderate threshold. The predicted noise levels will increase by approximately 1 dBA for total noise level of 53 dBA. This increase in noise does not meet the FTA noise mitigation criteria, and therefore no additional mitigation is required. Residences located within a 0.5 mile radius of the grade crossing may hear the locomotive noise, but impacts will be below the moderate or severe thresholds. No further mitigation is required for this measure. CR 10 Grade Crossing with Four-Quadrant Traffic Control The results from noise model at the proposed CR 10 grade crossing are shown in Figure 4-8, County Road 10 Grade Crossing with Four Quadrant Traffic Control Railroad Noise Impacts, Receptors R5, R6, R7, and R8 will hear the train, but the impact is below the moderate threshold. Receptor R10 will experience a moderate noise impact. The predicted noise levels at R10 will increase by approximately 3 dBA for a total noise level of 58 dBA. This increase in noise does not meet the FTA noise mitigation criteria, and therefore no additional mitigation is required. Residences located within a 0.5 mile radius of the grade crossing may hear the locomotive noise, but impacts will be below the moderate or severe thresholds. No further mitigation is required for this measure. Transmission Line Alternative A Impacts would be the same as those for the proposed action transmission line alternative. Transmission Line Alternative B Impacts would be the same as those for the proposed action transmission line alternative. Transmission Line Alternative C Impacts would be the same as those for the proposed action transmission line alternative 4-47 DBMS 602