SANDPOINT - After a few weeks of research, a proposed railroad quiet zone is back on the table for council discussion this Wednesday.

Originally proposed in September following complaints from residents unable to rest due to passing trains, the request for a quiet zone was echoed by several other community members, who said the constant sounding of train horns was a significant detriment to quality of life in town. The Federal Railroad Administration will have to approve any request for a quiet zone if council members decide to pursue the matter.

As a general safety rule, train operation protocol requires that conductors sound horns within a certain distance of public railroad crossings. However, towns have the option of applying for quiet zones to reduce the level of noise and disruption the trains bring with them. To counterbalance the increased risk to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, however, all affected crossings must be outfitted with safety equipment.

Six railway crossing will need to be individually analyzed should council members move forward with a quiet zone application. These include four BNSF Railway routes at Boyer Avenue, Gooby Road and East Mountain View Road. In addition, two Union Pacific routes through town run through Division Avenue and Boyer Avenue.

In order for these crossings to be considered for quiet zones, they must surpass a numerical safety rating threshold, according to Public Works Director Kody Van Dyk. That means they'll need to be outfitted with special safety-enhancing measures, which could include the installation of curbing in the middle of the street to prevent motorists from driving around gates or setting up safety gates at four quadrants of an intersection.

Curb installation is significantly more affordable, costing about $25,000 per crossing compared to the quad-gate cost of about $250,000. However, the required 100-foot length would block off access to residences and businesses along roads like Division Avenue.

A visit from BNSF representatives in the second week of December will help clarify exactly what the city must do to establish quiet zones. In addition to inspecting the crossings, railroad officials will determine whether existing track wiring can support constant train indication - another required safety measure. If not, the city will have to pay for or install the equipment itself.

Union Pacific Railroad will also have a voice in the process. While Van Dyk said officials are aware the city is considering a quiet zone, they have not yet finalized a visitation date.