Washington, May 1, 2000 - Cleveland area Representatives Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Cleveland) and Steve LaTourette (R-Madison) will hold a public hearing tonight on their request of the Federal Railroad Administration to establish a "Quiet Zone" on train traffic whistles for Cleveland's west side communities. The "quiet zone" hearing is open to the public, and will begin at 6:00 p.m., at Baldwin Wallace College, Kleist Center for Art and Drama, 95 East Bagley Road, in Berea.

Background:

Recently, the FRA, the federal agency that regulates railroad safety for the United States, published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making on Quiet Zones, new rules which could allow for a reduction or prohibition on train whistles after local communities had implemented improved safety conditions.

By federal law, the FRA must hold a series of hearings across the country about these proposed rules. Rep. Kucinich and Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-Madison) asked the FRA to hold one of these meetings in the Greater Cleveland area. "The FRA granted the request and will hold this important hearing in Berea, Ohio," Kucinich has said. "Berea is one of 8 communities across the country, including Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and Chicago, to host one of these important meetings about the FRA's proposed rules on Quiet Zones. This is an important event for the people of the Greater Cleveland area."

Currently, all trains are required to blow their whistles each time they cross any street, road, or highway. Whistle-blowing is necessary to ensure that motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians are warned when a train is coming. However, whistle-blowing can also be a nuisance to neighbors living near railroad crossings, especially in the middle of the night!

The FRA is considering new rules which seek to balance the need for rail safety with the needs of the people for peace and quiet in their homes and neighborhoods. These proposed rules would allow for certain conditions in some areas that would permit trains to cross roads without blowing their whistles, but only if there would be no compromise in safety. Some of the ways that a Quiet Zone could be implemented include:

*** Construction of 4-quadrant gates, long-arm gates, and median barriers that prevent motorists from running the gates when trains are coming;

*** Installation cameras that would enable local law enforcement officials to enforce the prohibition of crossing railroad tracks when trains are coming; and

*** Permanent and temporary closure of certain railroad/highway grade crossings.

Rep. Kucinich has asked that the FRA consider implementing two Quiet Zone demonstration projects in Ohio's 10th Congressional District. One quiet zone, requested jointly with U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, would include the southern communities of the 10th District, including Brooklyn, Berea, Olmsted Falls, and Olmsted Township, as well as Brook Park in Ohio's 19th District. The northern corridor quiet zone would include Cleveland, Lakewood, Rocky River, Bay Village, and Westlake. As demonstration projects, these communities may be eligible for federal funding for some of the required construction necessary to implement a Quiet Zone. However, some state and local financing may also be required.

"The entire community is invited to important federal hearing on railroad safety and the proposed new rules on Quiet Zones," Kucinich commented. At this hearing, the public will be given the opportunity to hear about these proposed new rules from FRA officials. Members of the public will also have the opportunity to make statements to the FRA for the record. As the FRA develops Quiet Zone rules, it is important that they hear from the people who are most directly affected by the noise from train whistles.

"In other words, your opinion counts. Public comments provide government agencies the best chance to make rules that take the people's needs into consideration," said Kucinich.

For more information, please contact 216/228-8850.