HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A recent accident involving a train and pedestrian brought up the dangers of walking along the railroad right-of-way. It also brought up quiet zones for railroads and why Hutchinson doesn’t have such an ordinance.

Many cities, especially those along very busy rail lines, do have quiet zones. The cities typically see between 60 and 100 trains per day. Residents are willing to pay a large sum for the extra traffic control needed for a quiet zone. Grade crossings must have concrete barriers or some other divider at the crossing to keep motorists from going around crossing arms. It also includes more control of sidewalks at a crossing. Smaller communities can do this because it may only affect a handful of crossings. Cities with busy rail lines often have just that one line running through town, which also makes it financially feasible.

But Hutchinson is different in that three railroads run through the community. And with 60-grade crossings, it can seem like trains are constantly blowing their horns. Although it can seem like more, the area only averages 25 to 35 trains per day. With that little train traffic and that many crossings to renovate, the cost is simply too much according to City Manager John Deardoff.

Deardoff says the matter came up for discussion about 10 years ago when the old pickle factory at 2nd and Poplar was turned into a living complex. No plan was put in place at that time. Both BNSF and Union Pacific are both staunch opponents of quiet zones because of the extra danger to the public. Often the railroads would rather see the number of grade crossings reduced rather than implement a quiet zone.