Summary of 3/2 Meeting

Q: What Quiet Zones will be implemented?
A: Three Quiet Zones will be funded by private entities and six Quiet Zones will be funded by the City of Houston. Of the 16 proposed city-funded Quiet Zones, only those ranked 1-6 will be funded within the current budget. The current available funds for Quiet Zones total $8.1 million over 3 years. If there is money left over or additional money is allocated, the City of Houston will go down the list to implement the other Quiet Zones. The Garden Oaks (GO) Quiet Zone was ranked #9 so it is not on the list to be implemented at this time.  

Q: What were the factors that prevented the GO Quiet Zone from being ranked higher?
A: The City of Houston ranked all proposed Quiet Zones based on objective criteria (population, land use, # of trains, state of crossings, cost, etc).  The GO Quiet Zone was actually the most expensive because upgrades to the railroad signaling devices would be needed at some crossings.  The estimated cost for the GO Quiet Zone covering 11 crossings is $3 million. The city Public Works & Engineering Dept submitted the rankings to the Mayor’s office which approved the rankings without making changes.

Q: What upgrades are needed for crossings within the proposed GO Quiet Zone?
A: 5 or 6 of the crossings in the GO Quiet Zone do not have constant warning devices which are required for crossings within a Quiet Zone. The constant warning devices are very expensive and are the major factor contributing to the higher cost for the GO Quiet Zone.

Q: What options do we have to get the GO Quiet Zone implemented?
A: At this point, the GO Quiet Zone will remain on the list until the City provides more funding or private funds are raised. Also, if there is money left over after implementing Quiet Zones ranked 1-6, the City will work further down the list.

Q: Can the GO Quiet Zone be split into two or more Quiet Zones? If one section of track has all the necessary upgrades (constant warning devices etc), can that section be implemented sooner?
A: We will have to look at each crossing again and get back to you on that. It may be feasible as long as there are contiguous sections so the train engineer doesn’t have to honk/not honk/honk, etc.

Q: You said the Quiet Zones were evaluated using objective criteria and we’ve heard most of the criteria. What weightings were used for each criteria?  Was cost weighted #1? 
A: We will have to go back and look at the weightings. We don’t have that information with us. Cost was a big factor but not the only factor. Use of city right-of-way was a big factor also because we want to avoid having to do any upgrades on the property of the railroad companies.

Q: Can we get a list of the criteria and the weightings used for each criteria?  It would be helpful for us to better understand the rankings. For example, if the population was way off for the GO Quiet Zone area, it would be good to know that.
A: We will have to look into providing you that information.

Q: If we somehow raise money for the GO Quiet Zone to offset the cost, would that allow the GO Quiet Zone to be moved up in the rankings? Could it be implemented sooner?
A: We would have to discuss this more with superiors but believe it is feasible. Three other Quiet Zones (beyond the 6 the city has prioritized) are being funded by private developers interested in developing real estate near those crossings.

Q: Did the presence of schools or churches near proposed Quiet Zones play a role in the Quiet Zone rankings?  There are a couple schools close to the tracks within the GO Quiet Zone. If schools were a factor, I think most supporters of the GO Quiet Zone would be happy with a partial (10pm-7am only) Quiet Zone. Is this something that can be considered?
A: Pedestrian count was a criteria so churches and schools could have increased that count and negatively affected the rankings. We will have to look into whether schools or pedestrians was a major factor for the GO Quiet Zone ranking.  A partial Quiet Zone could be considered but the process and cost to implement a partial zone are the same as for a 24x7 zone.

NOTE: The Q&A format above was used as a means to recap the meeting with City of Houston officials.  It is not a transcript. Please do not quote any questions or answers as they may have been different than stated above.