Tag Archives: Quiet Zones
City Requests Quiet Zones For University Neighborhood
Another milestone for the University Neighborhood in the saga of the Perris Valley Line. Our promised quiet zones are on order. Read the full report.Tuesday’s council item is the formal step required to make it real.
Quiet Zone Update
Jessica Gordon with the City of Riverside provided this update.
Service along the Perris Valley Line (PVL) began on June 6th, but there are still a few steps that need to take place before a quiet zone can officially be established. This includes execution of a maintenance agreement between the City and the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) – which is going to be presented to the City Council for consideration on June 21st. Other steps include verification of all installed improvements, and updating CalTrans’ crossing inventory system.
The Perris Valley Line includes seven crossings within the City – four of which (Mt. Vernon Avenue, Blaine Street, Spruce Street and Marlborough Avenue) are part of the PVL Quiet Zone project. Current projections indicate that this Quiet Zone should be in effect this Fall.
I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if you have more questions.
UNA Metrolink Quiet Zone Update
The following comments are from Anne Mayer, Executive Director of RCTC.
- Quiet Zone infrastructure required for implementation was included as a part of the PVL construction package. Each crossing had slightly different requirements but the following is a summary of the types of features(SSM’s) included. Median curb to prevent vehicles from driving around the gates, additional vehicular gates on either side of the crossing, sidewalks, pedestrian gates, fencing, signing and signals. All associated conduit, wiring, batteries, relays, sensors and other appurtenances are also part of the infrastructure.
- The Quiet Zone infrastructure has been constructed and the vehicular crossings are operational. There are pedestrian gates and gate arms that will be installed immediately preceding testing.
- The construction work is substantially complete. As a part of the construction contract close out, we prepare “punch lists” detailing work the contractor must complete/repair prior to our acceptance of the contract. They could have minor clean up/repair work in or near those crossings. None of that work would interfere with final testing or Quiet Zone processing. Testing could lead to subsequent work as well. I understand that the City is also doing some work at various crossings in conjunction with the University Neighborhood Association. I do not know the status of that effort.
- All of the independent testing that can be done has been completed. We are at a point now where we must test those crossings in conjunction with the system. We agree that these crossings are a priority and we will begin the final testing at the north end of the project. As I mentioned, the crossings (including new equipment and subsystems) are currently functioning. The final in-service testing is performed to ensure that all subsystems work in conjunction with each other as designed and all safety concerns are satisfied with the new timing (based on new passenger train speeds). The final in-service testing requires the movement of trains through each individual crossing and through each group of crossings, to verify controls and indications tests and overall functional tests.
- We anticipate that service will start near the end of the year. Final testing will begin in mid-October and our goal is to obtain all necessary clearances in November so that the City can proceed with the Notice. These locations have been prioritized in the final testing processes. We have been working very closely with Metrolink, BNSF, FRA and PUC for several years to ensure that these crossings are Quiet Zone compliant and eligible. The City has reviewed and approved the design and construction. This advance collaboration should result in a simplified and streamlined process. We are in close communication with the City to ensure that they have whatever they need from us to implement.
I understand the importance of these quiet zones to the neighborhood. At this time, I don’t see any impediments to implementation however the final testing phase is crucial. It is the final testing that verifies that the system components are functioning under operating conditions which will allow the City to proceed with Quiet Zone implementation. In fact, it is final testing along the entire corridor that will dictate the service start-up date. The goal of all involved is to have the quiet zones operational before service starts however the timing of the approval process is outside of our direct control. Trains will have to run with horns working until such time as the City completes the process. Testing trains will also be required to use horns. I hope this information is helpful and addresses your questions.
We were not able to use boulders at the Poarch Road crossing as chain link fencing was required by the CPUC for 150 feet on either side of the crossing. The crossing itself will be a tubular framed gate that will sit on a rolling gate rail. I’ve attached a draft plan so you can see what it looks like. This emergency crossing is being constructed to ensure compliance not only with FRA, CPUC, and Metrolink but also with emergency responders requirements. There are a number of specialty safety and emergency access features we are providing at this location and we will likely start testing with interim gates. The final gates installed will be similar to the plan I included. We believe that horns will be required however do not have verification yet on allowances that can or can’t be made at emergency crossings.
Please let me know if you have additional questions
Anne
June 2015 Meeting Agenda
Map and Directions To Crest Community Church
1. Introductions
2. Perris Valley Metrolink Update – 15.min.
There is a quiet zone scheduled in the University Neighborhood along the Perris Valley Line which will affect the crossings at Marlborough, Spruce, Blaine, and Mt. Vernon. The work required for this quiet zone will not begin until sometime next year, when the Perris Valley Line is complete. The City of Riverside will be the lead agency on the project, therefore, I will be sending out updates once the project begins.
3. UCR Update – Jeff Kraus 15 min.
4. UNET Report – Celeste Neiman 15 min
5. Blaine Street Speed Limit 15 min.
Blaine Street is classified as an arterial roadway and requires a Traffic and Engineering Survey to establish the speed limit. Attached is copy of the existing speed survey on file for Blaine between Mt. Vernon and the 60 Freeway which shows that the recommended 40 MPH speed limit was reduced from the 45 MPH 85th% speed results from this survey . Note that the survey was taken in August of 2008 and will expire this year, thus we will be resurveying the street sometime this month. Neither the roadway geometrics or circulation element has changed in the area and Public Works doesn’t foresee a change to the speed limit with the new survey. Nonetheless, we will be happy to keep you informed of the results of the upcoming survey.
The speed feedback sign now on Watkins Drive was recently relocated from Canyon Crest Drive due to traffic signal installations along Canyon Crest Drive. These devices are typically used to enhance driver awareness of their speed on streets with demonstrated speeding problems and because they are costly they are often utilized after other alternatives have been unsuccessful in addressing a speeding issue and budget allows for the purchase and installation costs.
The vast majority of the speed feedback signs in place throughout the City were grant funded and were required to be placed on non-federally funded streets. We can certainly start with requesting enforcement which is an initial tool if you can please let us know the peak time frames that you are noticing speeding and the specific area along Blaine.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. We will await your response regarding the speeding before we request enforcement.
Sincerely, Dawna Fuller Engineering Technician Traffic Engineering Division Public Works Department City of Riverside (951) 826-5907 dfuller@riversideca.gov
Blaine Between Mt. Vernon & Fwy 60 8-7-08
Announcements:
6. Watkins Drive Clean Up – Sat. June 20th, 8 a.m.
Meet At Piccacho and Watkins Dr.
Wear sturdy shoes, bring water bottles.
7. Ag Park City Council June 23rd
8. Call For Drought Tolerant Plants for Mt. Vernon & Big Springs Median Makeovers
Contact Gurumantra gkhalsa@NutritionNews.com or 951-640-3868
9. National Night Out – Tuesday August 4th, Islander Park Pool
Potluck – Pool Party. Discovering Neighborhood Treasures