  The two Zero Degree Calorimeters (ZDCs) of the CMS experiment are located at
$\pm 140~$m from the collision point and detect neutral particles in the
$|\eta| > 8.3$ pseudorapidity region. This paper presents a study on the
performance of the ZDC in the 2016 pPb run. The response of the detectors to
ultrarelativistic neutrons is studied using in-depth Monte Carlo simulations. A
method of signal extraction based on template fits is presented, along with a
dedicated calibration procedure. A deconvolution technique for the correction
of overlapping collision events is discussed.
