Are you in compliance with FRA Locomotive Horn Rule?

In accordance with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Rule, Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway – Rail Grade Crossings, all locomotives must be certified for compliance with 49 CFR Parts 222 and 229. This regulation was enacted to verify compliance with federal locomotive horn regulations passed to protect the public at large at highway-rail grade crossings. EHSS can assist railroads in complying with the FRA Rule through the following options which the railroad can select based on their individual circumstances:

  • Employee Operated Locomotive Horn Sound Level Measuring System
  • An EHSS Provided Handheld Testing and Certification
  • Locomotive Horn Automated Sound Measuring System

Contact EHSS for additional information regarding any of the three options for compliance with the FRA rule. EHSS can assist you in determining the most appropriate and cost effective course of action for your railroad.

Employee Operated Locomotive Horn Sound Level Measuring System

The Employee Operated Locomotive Horn Sound Level Measuring System was developed by EHSS to assist railroads to comply with the horn rule in a cost effective manner with minimal interruption to railroad operations. The system is a portable employee operated locomotive horn sound level measuring system which allows railroads to use their own employees to conduct testing in compliance with the regulation. The system includes equipment required for meeting requirements outlined in the regulation including a Class 2 sound level meter, a Class 2 calibrator, accessory kit, microphone set up and a weather unit.

In addition to providing the equipment, EHSS also provides a comprehensive two day training program for employees who will be conducting locomotive horn testing. EHSS instructs employees on equipment set up, proper operation of the equipment, calibration procedures, appropriate selection of testing location and horn testing procedures. The employees will also be trained on procedures for downloading equipment, interpreting results and creating certification documents which certify the locomotive horn in accordance with the FRA regulation. At the end of the training session, railroad employees will be able to conduct locomotive horn testing and create locomotive certifications.

EHSS provides all forms necessary for locomotive testing and certification creation. Also, EHSS is available for additional support for questions or concerns regarding testing equipment, horn testing procedures or certification creation.

EHSS Provided Handheld Testing and Certification

EHSS can provide all required sound level equipment required for locomotive horn sound level measuring. A EHSS Industrial Hygienist will travel to your location, or locations, to conduct horn testing on locomotives in your fleet. The Industrial Hygienist will program, set up and calibrate the equipment as specified in the regulation prior to initiating locomotive horn testing. EHSS will provide all necessary documentation for compliance with the FRA regulation. Upon completion of testing, EHSS will provide the client with completed and signed Locomotive Horn Certifications and all associated backup data collected for each locomotive horn tested.

Locomotive Horn Automated Sound Measuring System

EHSS has designed, developed, built and patented a locomotive horn automated sound measuring system to satisfy requirements as outlined in the FRA Rule. The locomotive horn testing device designed and patented by EHSS allows the client to comply with the FRA Rule with minimal disturbance to normal operations and the use of minimal man power.

The locomotive horn automated sound measuring system and all associated equipment are solar powered, free standing and self-contained. The system operates completely on wireless technology. It is capable of daily, electronic self-calibration checks and records weather parameters as required in Rule 49 CFR Part 222 and 229. The decibel level of the locomotive horn is tested by sounding the horn six times for 10-second intervals. Once the horn has been tested, decibel levels, meteorological data and calibration data is downloaded to a central computer for processing and locomotive certification creation. The system tests both directions of travel simultaneously, resulting in less time required for testing and a reduction in the number of horn soundings required.

The system is equipped with a handheld computer installed with the locomotive horn testing program. The program is a step-by-step process which walks the tester through the entire testing procedure from beginning to end. The program automatically processes collected sound data which allows for immediate PASS or FAIL results. From start to finish, the estimated time for the tester to complete the locomotive horn testing is less than 6 minutes.