02/06/2024 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final February 6, 2024 Inspector, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Mr. Ferguson utilized a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate the process of establishing a Quiet Zone to address train noise. He stated complaints from County residents about train horn noise had increased starting in September 2023 when Brightline began high-speed passenger service between West Palm Beach and Orlando. There was an average of 53 trains, 32 serving Brightline passengers and 21 carrying freight for the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railway that traveled through the County each day. The horns currently were sounded at all 32 railroad crossings in the County. Federal regulations, known as the "Train Horn Rule," required locomotives to sound a hom 15 to 20 seconds before entering a grade crossing and no more than a quarter -mile in advance at a decibel level between 96dB and 110dB. Under discussion, the Commissioners voiced strong opposition; Commissioner Moss stated she was not convinced that quiet zones would be as safe. She dismissed the argument that the County could mitigate safety concerns by posting signs warning motorists and pedestrians that approaching trains might not blow their horns. Vice Chairman Flescher questioned the wisdom of removing a safety measure that could be the difference between life and death. Commissioner Earman stated he did not think that it was the time to take the safety measures that the horns provide away; it would be a step backward. Chairman Adams stated the County had a number of safety measures in place along the rail corridor that Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway share. The County received $31.6 million in safety improvements from Brightline and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in 2021 in a settlement of its last remaining lawsuit against Brightline. Those improvements included additional gates, sensors, signs, sidewalks, and traffic signals at crossings. She stated the County had worked hard to make those safety improvements. She questioned why would the County take away this safety measure after fighting so hard to get the ones the County had in place. Inspector Newton, who specialized in assisting communities seeking quiet zones, told the Commissioners he would not recommend the County pursue one if he were a member of the community. He stated a quiet zone was not viewed as a safety improvement; it was a degradation of safety at a grade crossing. Yet, he understood the quality -of -life issues people who live near the railroad tracks endure. Commissioner Loar urged the Board not to entertain any further consideration of the quiet zone as a remedy for the inconvenience stemming from train horn noise; safety was more important. He stated he could not support the creation of a quiet zone and saw no reason to continue the discussion. Indian River County Florida Page 2