San Clemente: Pedestrian Audible Warning System Update

Press release from the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce

December 03, 2020

MEDIA STATEMENT

CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
ERIK SUND, INTERIM CITY MANAGER

Contact:
Erik Sund, Interim City Manager
(949) 361-8322

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/2/2020

Pedestrian Audible Warning System Update

12/2/2020… San Clemente, California… In early 2020, the City of San Clemente initiated the renewal of the Pedestrian Audible Warning System (PAWS) waiver granted in 2015 by the Federal Rail Administration (FRA). In continued partnership with Metrolink and Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), the City of San Clemente has been committed to rail safety since the original implementation of the PAWS waiver in 2015. The PAWS is the localized audible warning system at most at-grade railroad crossings in the City that takes the place of routine train horn sounding to reduce noise.

As part of the renewal process, the City responded to system inspections of the related crossings in April of 2020 identified by the FRA. The City of San Clemente and Metrolink subsequently began addressing all issues that had been raised by the FRA. However, on November 24, 2020 the FRA denied the City’s request for a new waiver. Thus, trains travelling through San Clemente recently started blowing their horns at each railroad crossing in town as required by law. The City was not notified in advance of the FRA’s decision. Knowing the importance of this waiver to the residents in the general vicinity of the railroad, City staff is diligently coordinating with the FRA on next steps to seek a resolution.

This press release was produced by the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.