Code of Federal Regulations Title 49. Transportation 49 CFR Pt. 222, App. E—REQUIREMENTS FOR WAYSIDE HORNS

This appendix sets forth the following minimum requirements for wayside horn use at highway-rail grade crossings:

1. Highway-rail crossing must be equipped with constant warning time device, if reasonably practical, and power-out indicator;

2. Horn system must be equipped with an indicator or other system to notify the locomotive engineer as to whether the wayside horn is operating as intended in sufficient time to enable the locomotive engineer to sound the locomotive horn for at least 15 seconds prior to arrival at the crossing in the event the wayside horn is not operating as intended;

3. The railroad must adopt an operating rule, bulletin or special instruction requiring that the train horn be sounded if the wayside horn indicator is not visible approaching the crossing or if the wayside horn indicator, or an equivalent system, indicates that the system is not operating as intended;

4. Horn system must provide a minimum sound level of 92 dB(A) and a maximum of 110 dB(A) when measured 100 feet from the centerline of the nearest track;

5. Horn system must sound at a minimum of 15 seconds prior to the train's arrival at the crossing and while the lead locomotive is traveling across the crossing. It is permissible for the horn system to begin to sound simultaneously with activation of the flashing lights or descent of the crossing arm;  arm

6. Horn shall be directed toward approaching traffic.