The sound of train horns blaring day and night can impact the quality of life of those residing near railway crossings. That is why my firm, DDEC, and I were thrilled to work with the City of West Palm Beach to ensure the establishment of a new “Quiet Zone” along the Florida East Coast Railway from 23rd Street to 49th Street.
As of December 12, 2023, train engineers passing through this section of the City are no longer required to sound their horns when approaching the six public crossings within the Quiet Zone. This should relieve residents and businesses who have had to deal with the nuisance and noise pollution from train horns.
Quiet Zones require specific approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and usually involve extra safety enhancements at the railway crossings to compensate for the lack of audible warnings from train horns. The City invested in improved warning signals, signs, and other measures to make the crossings safer without relying on the horns.
According to Mayor Keith James, establishing this North End Quiet Zone addresses concerns raised by residents about noise and quality of life near the railway, which has seen increased traffic since the expansion of the high-speed Brightline rail service to Orlando.
In a press release, the Mayor said, “The City has taken steps to improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings in the North End and applied for a Quiet Zone to help improve residents’ quality of life by reducing noise pollution caused by train horns, without posing a risk to public safety.”
This Quiet Zone adds to two other Quiet Zones already established in West Palm Beach. As freight and passenger train traffic continues to increase, targeting noisy hotspots with Quiet Zones is a smart move, one which North End residents will surely appreciate.
As a consultant to the City of West Palm Beach, DDEC conducted rail safety assessments, improved highway-rail grade crossings, and established the North End Quiet Zone. Municipalities turn to DDEC’s team of expert rail safety engineers and grant writers to improve safety at rail crossings and secure millions in critical funding for improvements. Our team’s innovative rail safety education campaigns are recognized as a model for Florida municipalities, providing for a more peaceful, safer environment for communities.
The West Palm Beach Quiet Zone initiative shows that with coordinated planning between local, state, and federal transportation agencies, solutions can be found to improve the quality of life for residents, while ensuring their safety and a connected, efficient, and modern transportation system.
