The sound of silence: UP helps San Jose create a nighttime quiet zone

By Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor 

Union Pacific Railroad’s Warm Springs corridor runs through the heart of San Jose, California, including a number of heavily populated areas near downtown. Surrounded by rolling hills in the Silicon Valley and located in northern California’s bay area, San Jose is home to more than 1 million residents. 

Since the Class I implemented its version of precision scheduled railroading in 2018, the frequency of trains traversing the Warm Springs corridor at night has increased. That’s meant more trains blowing their horns in the wee hours — producing sound in excess of 100 decibels — as they approach the 14 grade crossings along a two-mile portion of the route.  

But it got a bit more peaceful for sleeping residents on May 20 when the city launched a partial quiet zone. Trains now are required to silence their horns from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Horns can only be sounded if an engineer is concerned about a safety hazard, such as a pedestrian walking along or across track. 

San Jose leaders began exploring a quiet zone in 2019 to improve residents’ quality of life and bolster roadway and rail safety. The city commissioned consultant JMA Civil Inc. to perform a study along the corridor from North Montgomery Street to Horning Street, said San Jose Public Information Manager Colin Heyne in an email. 

A bird’s-eye view of one crossing shows the extensive safety measures visible in the roadway. City of San Jose

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) allows the creation of a quiet zone if federally approved safety measures are implemented at all crossings in the chosen area. The measures are designed to keep people and motorists away from tracks. 

San Jose plans to spend more than $12 million on initial and permanent safety improvements at the 14 crossings, including raised bumps, signage and street markings. The cost will be offset by $8 million in one-time state funding secured by the city last year and contributions from UP. 

The city spent about $1 million on quiet zone preparations, such as the feasibility study, crossing panel upgrades, signs and markings, said Heyne. Other costs since have been incurred by San Jose and the railroad. 

“UP upgraded several panels at crossings along the corridor in late 2021, and we split the cost with them,” said Heyne. “Our own DOT crews installed signs, markings, plastic bollards and humps in March and April 2022. That was paid for by the city.” 

The crossing at North Seventh and Jackson streets was significantly altered to meet the federal government’s minimum quiet zone standards. City crews installed striping, signs, plastic posts and pavement humps to prevent motorists from driving over a portion of the tracks that aren’t protected by gate arms. 

The improvements are considered temporary and will remain in place for several years until the city completes a permanent intersection. San Jose officials currently are reviewing design concepts before submitting one to state and federal regulators and UP officials for approval and further refinement. 

The 14 crossings involved in the city’s partial quiet zone are depicted as green circles on this map of UP’s Warm Springs corridor. City of San Jose

JMA Civil has recommended the city continue to work with the FRA, UP and California Public Utilities Commission on permanent safety improvements. That work will require more funding and take more time to design and construct — perhaps one to three years — the consultant concluded. 

UP officials commended city leaders for instituting the nighttime quiet zone and improving safety. 

“We understand the work and dedication it took to spearhead this project, and we were proud to be a partner in this effort,” said UP Senior Director of Public Affairs Francisco Castillo in a press release issued May 20.