December 8, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
dpapadakos@wpb.org
(561) 822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771)

West Palm Beach to Establish ‘North End’ Quiet Zone on Florida East Coast Railway

 WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The City of West Palm Beach is actively working to establish a Quiet Zone in the City’s North End, specifically along the Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) spanning from 23^rd Street to 49^th Street. Anticipated to be operational on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, this initiative aims to enhance the overall quality of life and safety for both residents and visitors.

A Quiet Zone designates a specific section of the railway where the customary sounding of train horns, as they approach public crossings, is not obligatory. For approval as a Quiet Zone, certain criteria, including minimum warning device requirements, must be met. Typically, additional safety enhancements are necessary to gain federal consideration for Quiet Zone status.

To improve the quality of life and safety of residents and visitors, the City applied for the Quiet Zone to the Federal Railroad Administration, following the expansion of Brightline service to Orlando and increased rail traffic north of the West Palm Beach station. Safety enhancements were made to improve highway-rail grade crossings within the zone, which will benefit people who drive, walk, or bike near the rail crossings.

“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,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. “Residents have shared that this was a priority, and we are pleased to respond by bringing forth this benefit to our community”. 

The new North End Quiet Zone will be the City’s third sector of Quiet Zone establishment in addition to those FECR crossings from 15^th St to Gregory Rd. the City had established previously in 2018. Quiet Zones establishment is expanding to correspond with the new Brightline service to Orlando and will add the final six railroad crossings listed below in the north end of the City between 23^rd Street and 49^th Street.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), locomotive engineers are required to sound train horns at least 15 seconds and no more than 20 seconds in advance of all public grade crossings. However, localities have an opportunity to mitigate the effects of train horn noise by establishing Quiet Zones. In a Quiet Zone, railroads are not required to sound their horns when approaching public highway-rail grade crossings. Train horns may still be used in emergencies or to comply with other federal regulations or railroad operating rules.

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About the City of West Palm Beach:

The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that seamlessly blends the business advantages available in the region with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working, making it an exceptional destination for both residents and professionals alike. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Linked-in.