Maitland City Talk

The passing of SunRail brings along with it many benefits to our community — increased property values, additional pedestrian-friendly development, increased shopping activity and much more. But to some, even though freight traffic will be reduced, there will be more frequent trips with SunRail trains. More frequent trips mean more noise to those who live within earshot of the passing trains.

What is a quiet zone?

A quiet zone is an area of a community that has a commuter rail station where the trains do not blow their horns. In order to have a quiet zone, each intersection would need to be improved to make it safer for pedestrians and automobiles in the absence of a horn. Improvements that are necessary would include 'quad gates' which do not allow passage at all from either a pedestrian or automobile when a train is approaching.

What are the benefits of quiet zones?

Quiet zones, when implemented throughout a community, serve primarily to enhance the quality of life for each resident. Further, not all freight traffic will be eliminated with SunRail, but it will be more bearable, especially at night, if we don't have to deal with the constant blaring of their horns.

In addition to the obvious impact on our quality of life, quiet zones will all but eliminate vehicular accidents and deaths at improved quiet zone intersections. Fifty-five percent of accidents at intersections occur because of vehicles attempting to drive around the gates. Quad gates, which will have not two, but four interlocking arms, make it impossible for an automobile to drive around the gates, eliminating the risk of accident or death.

What is the cost and will the taxpayers have to pay?

The city of Maitland has nine intersections that would need to be improved in order to implement quiet zones in our community. Each intersection would cost about $400,000 in total, resulting in a total cost of $3.6 million. We, of course, do not have the capability in our city budget, which means that Maitland taxes will not be available, but because of the quality of life and safety benefits, there is a great deal of attention given to quiet zones at the national, state and local levels.

MAC Committee takes leadership role

Through my involvement as mayor in MetroPlan's Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), I have established a quiet zone subcommittee whose sole purpose is to do whatever possible to increase our chances of bringing quiet zones to communities throughout our area. Our committee is made up of representatives of cities throughout the tri-county area. Our hope is to find funding and have quiet zones implemented in major areas throughout Central Florida by the time SunRail is operational.

Recent quiet zone success!

The cities of Maitland and Winter Park have been pursuing quiet zones for many months. Recently, through the efforts of State Rep. Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park), the cities of Winter Park and DeLand have secured up to $3.5 million for the improvement of the intersections for quiet zones. The reason for these cities securing the funding is that they have less than 40,000 people and have an existing station.

What's next?

Central Florida needs to continue to keep quiet zones at the forefront of our state and national leaders. Winter Park's implementation of quiet zones does not mean as much if the surrounding communities such as Maitland and Orlando do not have a plan or funding in a similar manner.

This is why the efforts of groups such as the MAC subcommittee on quiet zones and the continued efforts of our cities and counties together are important. Let's all work together to make quiet zones a reality in our communities throughout Central Florida!