Those annoying train horns can abruptly end a restful sleep or a serene walk through DeKalb’s historic downtown, but after a recent study, sanity may be restored.

The test city was Mundelein, Ill., in which a study compiled by Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety determined automated train horns reduced the sound of whistles by nearly 85 percent where neighborhoods were located.

Mundelein officials and others involved with the study said it was successful, thus urging the Federal Railroad Administration to approve the horns to be utilized throughout the nation.

“I think we are on the verge of a significant improvement in railroad crossing safety,” Mundelein Mayor Marilyn Sindles recently told The Daily Herald.

With the word spreading to towns experiencing these same problems, the DeKalb City Council has been quick to analyze automated horns as a viable solution to the complaints they have received from agitated citizens.

The council is looking at a proposal compiled by Hanson Wilson Corporation to use these train horns. Should the FRA approve the method, a decision by Mayor Greg Sparrow is expected to be released sometime later this year.

The council, however, would continue to discuss the possibility of ways to reduce train noise under the mindset the FRA would accept the use of automated train horns.

“These trains can go blasting that horn … basically from 10th Street until they get past First Street,” Sparrow said. “We’re looking at focusing more on the sound that dissipates quicker right at the traffic.”

Sparrow recently traveled to Ames, Iowa, to meet with the mayor and observe for himself the impact of the automated horns.

“I went to see it, hear it, and I noticed a much-reduced sound,” Sparrow said.

Installing the automated horns would make the shrill sound almost mute two blocks away — a less than 10 percent impact compared to regular horns. The sound of the horn also will not last as long.

The automated horns were determined to be the most cost effective solution at the First, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh and 10th Street intersections, with Second and Third Street not needing additional improvements. The price of the project is anticipated to cost $828,000.

Another method involves placing median barriers that would be installed about 100 feet away from the train tracks. Various problems would occur from these barriers because they would prevent a left turn at First Street and could be the cause of accidents if placed at Routes 38 and 23 because they would obstruct trucks turning from one street onto another and hinder turn-offs into businesses located at this intersection, Sparrow said.

The advantages to median barriers would be their low cost and the fact that they would eliminate sound. But Sparrow said because of their ability to attract accidents, the council would look at other options, most specifically the automated horns.