San Clemente: Update On The Pedestrian Audible Warning System (PAWS) And Federal Renewal Process

Press release from the City of San Clemente:

April 06, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/5/2021

Update on the Pedestrian Audible Warning System (PAWS) and Federal Renewal Process

4/5/2021…San Clemente, California… The City has been coordinating with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to renew the 2015 waiver for the Pedestrian Audible Warning System (PAWS), which replaces the need for routine sounding of train horns through San Clemente. On Friday, April 2nd, the City received official notice that the FRA Safety Board has approved our waiver request so that the City may reactivate the PAWS. The approval letter issued by Karl Alexy, the Chief Safety Officer for the FRA, is attached. Routine train horn sounding will stop at Noon on April 26, 2021. The new waiver is valid for three years. The City has implemented new procedures in coordination with Metrolink to ensure timely application for future renewal requests. Updates include a new computerized maintenance and asset management system and comprehensive record keeping of all PAWS inspections and maintenance activities. As required by Federal regulations, the City has mailed a 21-day advance notice of PAWS activation to parties required by the regulations.

The San Clemente City Council appointed two Council members, Mayor Pro Tem, Gene James and Councilmember Chris Duncan, to the Train Horn Ad Hoc Committee on December 15, 2020, to facilitate collaboration with City staff to regain waiver approval from the FRA. Our district’s Congressman, Mike Levin, teamed up with the Councilmembers to support the City’s waiver request in Washington. “I am glad to join the City of San Clemente in announcing the City has received the federal waiver needed to operate the Pedestrian Audible Warning System and end the frequent sounding of train horns in the community,” said Rep. Levin. “I was happy to assist in securing the federal waiver, and I appreciate the work of Councilmember Chris Duncan, Mayor Pro Tem Gene James, and others in prioritizing public safety and addressing residents’ concerns.”

Mayor Pro Tem Gene James added, “I know this was an issue that adversely impacted a number of residents, while the process of regaining the PAWS waiver was daunting, I am proud to say that by putting safety first, the City of San Clemente has received approval from the FRA while addressing residents’ concerns. I want the City to stay focused on our pedestrian train crossing from a safety perspective and look for additional ways to improve in the future.”

Councilmember Chris Duncan commented, “I am extremely pleased that San Clemente received the FRA’s approval to again operate the PAWS system. City staff did an exceptional job ensuring a safe environment is in place within the City’s rail corridor, which the FRA required in order to grant our deserving residents a train horn waiver. I would also like to recognize the support the City received from our Congressman Mike Levin and his office, which were instrumental in navigating the waiver process at the Federal level.”

4-5-21 Press Release Update on the Pedestrian Audible Warning System (PAWS) and Federal Renewal Process

Return to full list >>

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