An Update on Quiet Zones from the City Engineer

From The City Engineer

Recently, discussion about rail line quiet zones has gained steam as many north county communities work to receive the Federal Railroad Administration designation. To establish a quiet zone, local governments or other agencies must show that the lack of the horn does not pose a significant safety risk. Some of the ways in which local governments may accomplish this include safety measures such as gates, medians, and other channelization devices.

Once the intersection safety improvements are complete and meet appropriate standards, local governments or agencies must file the appropriate notices and applications for the approval and establishment of quiet zones to the Federal Railroad Administration.

Quiet Zones are dependent on approved safety measures that are in place for motorists and pedestrians at railroad crossings. The City of Palm Beach Gardens has implemented some of these measures during new roadway construction or road redevelopment projects. When the All Aboard Florida proposal came to light (now known as Brightline) future safety measures were to be implemented as part of the Brightline transit project. With the delays to the Brightline project, the intersection improvements in Palm Beach Gardens that would allow for quiet zone application have also been delayed.

Brightline – the company that has commenced highspeed passenger rail from Miami to Orlando. As Brightline constructed their project to bring passenger rail north from West Palm Beach to Orlando, they installed safety measures at some intersections which help to remove the need for trains to blow horns. However, additional safety measures are found to be required in Palm Beach Gardens railway crossing locations. The City is evaluating the most practical safety improvements for several railway crossings here. Additionally, we are working with the FRA to receive credit for the quiet zone establishment for projects already undertaken by Palm Beach Gardens. Once safety measures are in place and the risk score without horns is attained, the City will file for a quiet zone. Currently, there are no quiet zones established by a municipality in Northern Palm Beach County.

With that information in mind, the following summary and conclusions can be drawn:

Unfortunately, Quiet Zones aren’t as simple as passing an ordinance and/or simply notifying the Federal Railroad Administration or the railroad of a desire to have less train horn noise. Local governments will have to prove (at perhaps considerable expense) and illustrate that safety measures make horns unnecessary.

Each of the 6 railroad/vehicle intersections in Palm Beach Gardens has unique characteristics in terms of traffic counts, intersection design, and train speed. The safety improvements needed for one intersection aren’t likely to be the same for others. Each must be carefully studied and reviewed to ensure that the City’s investment reinforces safety and meets the criteria to be approved by the Federal Railroad Administration.

The City Council and Administration hear the concerns from the public about train noise very clearly. The initial step to establishing a quiet zone has been completed by filing the Notice of Intent with the Federal Railway Administration. The preliminary approach is to seek credit for alternative safety measures that are already in place with the City’s rail crossings from the Federal Rail Administration to establish the quiet zone.