Town Times Newsletter Town Times and Rec Connect July-Aug 2018 | Page 2

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VOL 25 NO 3 • JUL-SEP 2018
2019 Strategic Plan
The Future of Quiet Zones in Jupiter
Jupiter has a rich railroad history, beginning in the 1880s
with the Celestial Railroad, a line that connected Jupiter
and Juno. As part of a transportation network called the
Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railroad Company, the
Celestial Railroad was famous for having no “back-up”
capability. With no way to turn the trains around, they
moved forward heading south to Juno, but had to travel
backwards when returning to Jupiter.
Fast-forward to today, and the trains that venture through
Jupiter include passenger and freight rail traveling much
further than just a city between. Today’s challenges with
rail transportation include larger issues than just being
able to change direction; communities in the path of
these trains must consider safety and noise.
In 2010, faced with the prospect of the All-Aboard Florida
high-speed passenger rail plan (or what is now known
as Brightline), the Town of Jupiter evaluated safety
and quality of life impacts caused by an increase in rail
traff ic. As part of that exploration, the Town evaluated
safety measures that would be required at its various
intersections in order to implement quiet zones, and
the cost of those improvements. Since then, considering
the delays experienced by the Brightli ne project, the
intersection improvements in Jupiter that would allow for
quiet zone application have also been delayed.
What are the future plans for quiet zones in Jupiter?
Currently the Town is working with the Palm Beach
Transportation Planning Agency (TPA) to plan for
quiet zones in Jupiter. Brightline – which has recently
established high-speed passenger rail from Miami to West
Palm Beach with plans to continue north to Orlando – has
recently installed safety measures in West Palm Beach,
Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach at select
intersections. Those communities have applied for ---
and some have implemented -- quiet zones. If Brightline
proceeds with phase 2 of their project to bring passenger
rail north from West Palm Beach to Orlando, they will
consider installing safety measures that may enable quiet
zones with funding assistance from the TPA. However, at
this point, the timing of that project is unknown.
What if Brightline’s implementation north of West
Palm Beach is cancelled or further delayed?
In the event that Brightline’s work to improve intersection
crossings is further delayed or even cancelled, the Town
of Jupiter could assume the responsibility for installing
additional improvements, then apply for quiet zones.
In this case, funding would have to be identified in the
Town’s Community Investment Program (CIP). As is the
case with many issues, there are several moving parts
and factors the Town will need to review and consider as
it relates to quiet zones. For instance, does it make sense
for the Town to pay to install certain safety measures and
apply for quiet zones if those improvements will need to
be redone if and when Brightline’s plans proceed through
Jupiter? Additionally, Brightline has participated in the
cost of improvements in other communities. Does it make
sense to wait in hopes of Brightline’s financial assistance
and/or financial assitance from the TPA?
Based on those considerations, here are some factors
to be considered as Jupiter moves forward in looking
at quiet zones:
1. Unfortunately, quiet zones aren’t as simple as passing
an ordinance or simply notifying the Federal Railroad
Administration or the railroad company 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.
At its June 5, 2018 meeting, the Town Council approved
the 2019 Strategic Plan. The strategic plan is reviewed
each year at a series of workshops between March and
May. The Town’s vision, mission, and strategic results
are reviewed and updated, if necessary. Then, based
on the strategic results outlined in the plan, strategic
initiatives are identified and prioritized. Those that
are identified as high priority become part of staff ’s
workplan going forward, and funding is established in
either the operating budget or Community Investment
Plan (CIP). Budget and CIP workshops take place in
June, July and August, and the budget and CIP are
formally adopted in two public hearings in September.
VISION:
Jupiter is a distinctive coastal community
committed to preserving its unique
character and history and vibrant, small-
town feel.
2. Each of the 7 intersections in Jupiter that have a railroad
crossing has unique characteristics in terms of traff ic
counts and intersection design. The safety improvements
needed for one intersection aren’t likely to be the same
for others. Some intersections might be better candidates
for semi-quiet zones. Others may not. It is important that
each be carefully studied and reviewed to ensure that the
Town’s investment ensures safety, meets the criteria and
can be approved by the appropriate parties.
MOBILITY
Improved mobility for all modes of
transit.
MANAGE GROWTH
Plan for and manage growth,
development and redevelopment to
maintain Jupiter’s small town feel and
its integrity as a distinctive, vibrant
coastal community.
3. While there is great uncertainty with respect to
Brightline’s plans, it does appear that more funding
and certainty might be achieved if and when Brightline
completes improvements to pass through Jupiter. It is
important to understand if that will mean more long-term
improvements and more cost-eff ective implementation of
quiet zones.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Prepare and manage budget; maintain
fiduciary responsibility.
SAFETY
Keep citizens and businesses safe.
The Town Council hears concerns from the public about
train noise very clearly. As a result, they have prioritized
a thorough and comprehensive review of quiet zones in
their 2019 Strategic Plan. The preliminary strategy that
is emerging will be to study all available alternatives and
associated costs, and make appropriate recommendations
to the Town Council in late 2018 or early 2019. With this
approach, it is the Town’s hope that Brightline’s plans will
become clearer and the Town will be positioned to make
decisions with the best available information.
ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Organizational governance; internal
support and services.
GREEN, BLUE AND OPEN SPACES
Continue beautification and natural
areas; green spaces, parks, beaches
and landscaping. Maintain Jupiter as
a distinctive coastal community with
open and natural environments.
Quiet Zones Explained
STRONG LOCAL ECONOMY
What is a quiet zone? Support local businesses, create a
business-friendly environment.
A quiet zone is a section of a rail line where locomotive horns are not routinely sounded. Jurisdiction of quiet zones
falls under the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). TOWN COMMUNICATION
Support and enhance open two-way
communication between the Townand
its residents and businesses.
A quiet zone removes the requirement for the routine blowing of train horns, although the conductor always has
the option to blow horns at his discretion. A semi-quiet zone is a zone that limits train horns to daytime hours, and
establishes quiet zones during the night-time hours only.
UNIQUE, SMALL TOWN FEEL
How are quiet zones implemented?
Maintain and enhance our vibrant small
town feel by leveraging the unique
comb ination of community, cultural and
recreational assets that make Jupiter a
special place to live and work.
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.
Some illustrations and examples of safety measure are shown below.
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.
View the strategic plan at:
www.jupiter.fl.us/strategicplan
R
DE
N
MI
RE
4-quadrant gate system
Gates with medians
Example of a 4-quadrant gate
Page 2
Gates with channelization devices
Example of a gate with channelization
Jupiter Town Times | www.jupiter.fl.us | 210 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458 | 561.746.5134
Traffic Safety Enforcem
ent
Campaign
Recently the Jupiter Police Department was awarded grant
funding from the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) for traff ic education and enforcement in the Town
of Jupiter. From now until September 30th, JPD will be
conducting this campaign in order to reduce the number
of impaired driving violations, reduce occupant and child
safety violations, and reduce speeding and aggressive
driving violations.
Through these increased, high-visibility
patrols and zero tolerance, the Town of Jupiter
will remain a safe place to live, work, and visit.