By Mike Caputo
The test, which was attended by state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), Long Island Rail Road President Helena Williams and officials from the Village of Cedarhurst and the Train Noise Abatement Association (TNAA), was the LIRR's second attempt this year to introduce a solution to the problem of ear-splitting noise produced by train horns.
TNAA founder Jack Mevorach viewed the Aug. 2 test as both a success and a failure. The actual test failed, according to Mevorach, because readings conducted by TNAA sound expert Jerome Goodman revealed a minimum decibel level of 103, three decibels above the goal of 100 collectively set by the testers. According to Goodman, a licensed professional engineer certified in noise control engineering, the sound energy doubles when it is raised by three decibels.
Yet Mevorach said the officials still achieved major progress in the morning's discussions. "Everybody now agrees that the solution is to lower all horns on the entire fleet to a uniform level, pitch and dispersion," Mevorach explained. "That's why the event was a success. Just to have the goal publicly stated by Skelos and Williams is a milestone."
In June 2005, the Federal Railroad Administration mandated the use of train horns at all local railroad crossings, and required the volume to be a minimum of 96 decibels and a maximum of 110. Up to that time, many train horns measured less than 96 decibels, and since then, train noise has been a growing nuisance for residents living near the tracks, developing into what Mevorach has described as a "health issue."
LIRR spokesman Sam Zambuto described the modifications introduced last week as "an adjustable pressure regulator on the horn to limit the train horn's sound range by reducing the air pressure that is applied to the horn."
The LIRR reported a low reading of 99 decibels during the test. That reading, however, was taken from 100 feet in front of the train. To the left and right of the trains - where there are homes - the readings were higher. To the left of the train, the LIRR registered readings of 101 decibels, while on the right side the sound measured an alarming 106 decibels.
In a new development, Williams announced that the LIRR is applying for a waiver from the FRA's 2-year-old train horn regulations in order to allow horns to measure less than 96 decibels. "The modified horn produced better results, lowering horn sound levels by up to three decibels," Williams said. "The LIRR believes it can maintain a safe operation with horns set at a lower sound level. Since sound reverberates off buildings near the tracks, we will develop a petition to request a reduction in the FRA standard of 96 decibels."
Zambuto added that the application for a waiver from the federal regulations would affect the entire LIRR service area, not just Cedarhurst.
Currently, the federal regulations include an exemption from the minimum-volume requirement for most of the Chicago area, which is known for its high train volume and for housing in close proximity to the tracks. Mevorach said that Long Island should be considered similar to Chicago. "In Chicago, the residents are so close to the train tracks," Mevorach said. "We have the same thing on Long Island. By the same reasoning, we should have the same exemption."
The process of obtaining a waiver from the FRA could take years, and Mevorach acknowledged the importance of finding an interim solution in the meantime. He said that the TNAA would continue to work with government officials and the LIRR to provide relief for residents affected by train noise.
As one possibility, Mevorach hopes to garner support for the use of electronic, broadband horns that are seen in other areas of the world, and allow decibel levels to be preset. His plan is to fly in a broadband horn expert from the United Kingdom and schedule a test similar to last week's.
Even with options such as modified, brand new and broadband horns, Mevorach seemed relieved that railroad and government officials simply recognized the real issue at hand. "It's very simple," he said. "The trains are too loud. The whole fleet needs to be lowered."
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
