Demand safe, quiet crossings for Leucadia

Q: How often could horns sound? 

A: At-grade crossings require each train to blast 4 times 1/4 mile before the crossing, day and night. with 54 trains, you will hear up to 648 blasts/day. Plans are in place to double the trains by 2035.

Q: Will wayside horns make this quiet? 

A: No. Wayside horns still operate at 92 dB at 100 feet (federal standard) – about as loud as a chainsaw. They redirect sound but do not eliminate it. Wayside horns require waivers from the FRA which are not guaranteed  and can be revoked as was seen in San Clemente.  

Q: Can a quiet zone fix this? 

A: Not here. A quiet zone north of Leucadia Blvd requires Carlsbad’s cooperation, which is not currently in place.  

Q: DO train horns stop with Wayside or Quiet Zone? 

A: No. Train engineers can and do use full-volume horns at anytime to warn pedestrians. Adding crossings creates new locations, increasing where horns will be used.   

Q: Are at-grade crossings the safest option? 

A: No. They introduce conflicts between trains, bikes, and pedestrians and carry the highest collision risk.  

Q: Is there a better alternative? 

A: Yes. Underpasses or overpasses  (grade-separated crossings): 

• Eligible for federal funding

Eliminate train horn noise 

• Significantly safer

We should not lock in permanent noise + higher risk without fully studying better alternatives.

Ask the city to:

• A real noise study

• Full CEQA environmental review

• Pursue safer, quieter grade-separated options