North County Quiet Zones

Information about quiet zones.

What is a quiet zone?

A quiet zone is a section of a rail line where locomotive horns are not routinely sounded.  Jurisdiction of Quiet Zones fall under the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

A quiet zone removes the requirement for the routine blowing of train horns, although the conductor always has the option to blow horns at their discretion. To learn more about FRA's rules and requirements for quiet zones, visit their website. 

How are quiet zones implemented?

In order 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. 

What work has been done in the past on quiet zones in Palm Beach Gardens?

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 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 were also delayed but now have been completed. As of July 24, 2025, the Palm Beach Gardens Quiet Zone was approved and is in effect.

Establishment Timeline

  • Diagnostic walk-through with stakeholders has been completed
  • Application for the Alternative Safety Measures submitted - May 24, 2024
  • Comment period for the Federal Railway Administration is 60 Days – July 23, 2024
  • Review of Alterative Safety Measure application by the Federal Rail Administration – The review date for the application began on July 23, 2024. 
  • Install required signage 16 days – Complete
  • Federal Railway Administration approved Public Authority Application - May 12, 2025
  • Held FinaI Inspection with Federal Railway Administration for Notice to Establish a Quiet Zone - June 5, 2025
  • Filed Notice of Establishment - July 3, 2025
  • Federal Rail Administration takes 21 days to designate a quiet zone – Pending FEC approval
  • Quiet Zone is established – July 24, 2025

Brightline Construction Information

Residents and travelers should always be alert and follow the law around active railroad tracks and railroad crossings. Visit Brightline’s safety website at (https://brightlinesafety.com/)

To receive text alerts from Brightline concerning the latest information on the high-speed trains, text “RR110” to 888-304-0037. #Brightline #RailSafety

For project-related updates in the County and Palm Beach Gardens area, visit GoBrightline Construction Webpage and select Palm Beach County from the drop-down list.  Please direct questions and comments to Katie Mitzner with Brightline at 407-502-3587 or katie.mitzner@gobrightline.com.  

To receive text alerts containing schedule updates and important information on the closures from Brightline, text “LOX” to 888-384-0037. Information will also be posted by Brightline to its X (formerly known as Twitter) account (@GoBrightline) and on the Brightline website (www.gobrightline.com/railroad-construction).