BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY

Transcription

1 7B BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY PLACEMENT: REQUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS PRESET: 3:00 PM TITLE: ALL ABOARD FLORIDA QUIET ZONES, SEALED CORRIDORS AND PUBLIC SAFETY AGENDA ITEM DATES: MEETING DATE: 5/24/2016 COMPLETED DATE: 5/12/2016 COUNTY ATTORNEY: 5/2/2016 ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: 5/9/2016 REQUESTED BY: DEPARTMENT: PREPARED BY: Name: Taryn Kryzda Engineering Terry Rauth Name: County Administrator Procedures: None EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Deputy Engineering Director The purpose of this item is to educate the Board and the public about the various safety elements being discussed with respect to the proposed All Aboard Florida (AAF) high speed passenger rail project. The presentation will also provide information needed to clarify the differences between Sealed Corridors and Quiet Zones as well as other public safety measures. The presentation will be submitted as a Supplemental Memorandum. APPROVAL: LEG ACA CA BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL: 80787f3a 1 of 46

2 On November 3, 2015, Martin County sent AAF a detailed, technical letter identifying the County's safety priorities and its belief that AAF must install and pay for critical safety items. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Safety Office conveyed similar concerns in its December 16, 2015, letter to AAF: "FRA has determined that the highway-rail grade crossing plans submitted by AAF do not conform to the highway-rail grade crossing treatments in the FEIS...We also disagree with AAF's assertion that AAF's alternatives comply with FRA's sealed corridor guidelines." The FRA Safety Office s letter and accompanying document contained numerous recommendations and requirements, including, but not limited to: Recommending that AAF equip all automatic highway-rail grade crossing warning systems with Remote Health Monitoring (RHM) technology; Highlighting the importance of Vehicle Presence Detection (VPD) and dismissing AAF's assertion that the technology is unreliable in areas where lightning is present; Rejecting AAF's assertion that reducing the length of non-traversable medians (designed to discourage motorists from driving around the gates) is an acceptable safety alternative, and noting the requirement that AAF install exit gates at locations where it cannot achieve the required 100 feet of non-traversable median curbing. With respect to Sealed Corridors vs Quiet Zones, Martin County does not need to request Quiet Zones at this time because AAF is federally mandated to construct Sealed Corridor improvements that are more stringent than Quiet Zones. These Sealed Corridor improvements are required on rail lines with speeds in excess of 80 mph. The FRA is requiring that AAF install the more stringent Sealed Corridor improvements through Martin County because trains will be travelling at speeds of up to 110 mph. As a federal requirement, AAF must both install and pay for Sealed Corridor improvements in Martin County, without a formal request from the County. By contrast, the maximum proposed speeds south of the West Palm Beach station do not exceed the speed thresholds for Sealed Corridors and AAF will not be required to construct additional safety measures. Southern counties that want to request Quiet Zones now or in the future must agree to pay for the additional required improvements. Confusing and conflicting information has been disseminated by AAF and the media concerning the need for Martin County and other Treasure Coast communities to request Quiet Zones. It is important for citizens to have the facts regarding these two options. ISSUES: There is no deadline for requesting Quiet Zones. Martin County and other local governments can request Quiet Zones at any time. Sealed Corridor improvements will be built as a federal requirement at AAF s own expense, if AAF proceeds through the Treasure Coast f3a 2 of 46

3 Quiet Zones do not make communities safer. They are not intended to address safety impacts but, instead, serve to mitigate the noise impacts of rail traffic as trains run through populated areas. Quiet Zones could contribute to an accident as people no longer have the benefit of hearing horns sound as trains approach if horns are eliminated as part of a Quiet Zone. In deciding whether to request Quiet Zones, the County must weigh the implications of noise mitigation against safety, with safety being Martin County s first and foremost concern. LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW: N/A RECOMMENDED ACTION: RECOMMENDATION Hear the presentation. ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS N/A FISCAL IMPACT: RECOMMENDATION N/A ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS N/A DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION: Budget Transfer / Amendment Chair Letter Contract / Agreement Grant / Application Notice Ordinance Resolution Other: ROUTING: _ ADM _ BLD _ CDD _ COM _ ENG _ FRD _ GMD _ GSD _ ITS _ LIB _ MCA _ MPO _ PRD _ USD X CA X ACA X LEG 80787f3a 3 of 46

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22 BCC MEETING DATE: May 24, 2016 AGENDA ITEM: 7B TO: VIA: FROM: REF: SUBJECT: MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM Honorable Members of the Board DATE: May 17, 2016 of County Commissioners Taryn Kryzda County Administrator Terry Rauth, P.E. Deputy Engineering Director AAF Quiet Zones, Sealed Corridor, Public Safety Attached is a PowerPoint presentation regarding All Aboard Florida Quiet Zones, Sealed Corridors and Public Safety. Also attached is a Glossary of Terms. Reviewed by County Attorney s Office Page 1 of 1 eng2016m281 SUPPLEMENTAL.docx22 of 46

23 Safety Features and Technologies Glossary of Terms Given the amount of engineering industry jargon and acronyms used to discuss safety standards, below is a more detailed and simplified explanation of some of the technologies that the County is requesting that AAF consider using for its project to ensure the safety of all residents who will come in contact with trains. Vehicle Presence Detection (VPD). VPD technology detects the presence of a motor vehicle that becomes stopped or stalled on a highway-rail grade crossing. According to the Federal Railway Administration (FRA), VPD systems should be designed to detect a motor vehicle stopped in a highway rail grade crossing when a train is approaching. A signal should be sent to the "train control system" to stop or slow the approaching train. In its review of the AAF project, the FRA noted that: "motor vehicles stalled, or trapped on a crossing due to queuing, present a derailment hazard; and in multiple track territory or where freight equipment is standing on adjacent sidings or industry tracks, derailments can result in catastrophic secondary collisions." Remote Health Monitoring (RHM). RHM technology can detect highway rail grade crossing warning system malfunctions and automatically notify railroad personnel to inspect and repair the malfunctions and to take steps to protect the crossing until repairs are made. RHM is especially important at highway-rail grade crossings located on major traffic arteries and on roads that provide the sole means of access to a neighborhood. It is a near certainty that some motorist will soon become frustrated and attempt to drive through or around a malfunctioning crossing. Driving through crossings with malfunctioning warning signals can be hazardous at any time, but it is especially hazardous where high speed rail passenger operations occur. Sealed Corridor Improvements. The FRA developed "sealed corridor" strategies for High Speed Passenger Rail Lines that are designed to "block all lanes of travel." Sealed corridors are intended to create a safe approach to the high speed rail conflicts with vehicle traffic. However, many of the rail crossings are adjacent to collector roadways that are immediately parallel to the rail corridor. Martin County would generally prefer a four gate sealed corridor; however, understanding that the continued maintenance costs of safety improvements are currently required to be borne by the County, a two gate sealed corridor with a 100 foot median may suffice to achieve the intended sealed corridor goal. The preference would be to have four gate crossing signals at our major arterial road crossings and where warranted by roadway design and traffic conditions; two gate crossings with medians at other locations may be considered appropriate, provided site-specific safety is not compromised. The major corridors also require pedestrian crossing gates, including entrance and exit gate and sidewalks through the railroad property. 23 of 46

24 Positive Trail Control (PTC). According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Positive Train Control (PTC) describes technologies designed to automatically stop a train before certain accidents caused by human error occur. Specifically, PTC as mandated by Congress must be designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, derailments caused by excessive speed, unauthorized incursions by trains onto sections of track where maintenance activities are taking place, and the movement of a train through a track switch left in the wrong position. The implementation of a PTC system is required by the Congressional Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and was supposed to be put into service by the end of There is a request to delay its implementation until at least the end of As it relates to AAF, PTC would be designed to improve safety, would be interoperable between the AAF passenger trains and FEC freight trains, and would supplement, rather than replace, existing train control systems. 24 of 46

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26 Background All Aboard Florida (AAF) passenger train speeds at 110 mph and freight trains at 70 mph create increased risks. Mixed passenger/freight multi-track rail lines have increased risk of derailment and collisions. In November 2015 Martin County took issue with AAF in its belief that AAF must install and pay for critical safety items. The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) Safety Office upheld similar concerns in its December 2015 letter to AAF. 26 of 46

27 Background This week an engineer from the FRA Safety Office is scheduled to meet with Treasure Coast engineers to explain the recommendations and requirements contained in their December 2015 letter. AAF has revised and resubmitted the construction plans based on the FRA letter. Treasure Coast county and city engineers will also be meeting individually with FRA Safety Office staff to review the most recent set of AAF construction plans for grade crossings (where roadway crosses railroad track). 27 of 46

28 Background In the December 2015 letter FRA stated: We disagree with AAF s assertion that AAF s alternatives comply with FRA s sealed corridor guidelines. AAF and the Media have provided confusing information on the need for Martin County to request Quiet Zones. Clarification is needed on the differences between Sealed Corridors and Quiet Zones. 28 of 46

29 Overview Differences between a Sealed Corridor and Quiet Zone Safety measures required on a Sealed Corridor and Quiet Zone Additional safety measures that are recommended or requested Safety measures that are provided on most recent set of AAF plans Continued concerns 29 of 46

30 What is a Sealed Corridor? A sealed corridor is a rail corridor that utilizes safety measures that are designed to block all lanes of travel where a roadway crosses a railroad track (grade crossing). A sealed corridor also utilizes pedestrian treatments (sidewalks, warning devices) at grade crossings and controls between crossings (fencing) to prevent trespassing. 30 of 46

31 When is a Sealed Corridor Required? FRA requires sealed corridor safety measures when train speeds are 80 mph or greater. Where train speeds exceed 125 mph, FRA prohibits any at-grade crossings and requires an approved barrier system. Train speeds from Miami to the West Palm Beach station are less than 80 mph. 31 of 46

32 Sealed Corridor Safety Measures for mph 4 Quad Gates that block all lanes of travel 32 of 46 As shown on current AAF plans

33 Sealed Corridor Safety Measures for mph 2 Gates with 100 foot medians to separate opposing traffic 33 of 46 As shown on current AAF plans

34 Sealed Corridor Safety Measures for mph As shown on current AAF plans Vehicle Presence Detection (VPD) technology that detects the presence of a vehicle stopped or stalled on the tracks sends a signal to automatically stop or slow the approaching train. VPD technology also keeps the exit gate from closing and trapping the vehicle (known as Dynamic Exit Gate Operating Mode). 34 of 46

35 Sealed Corridor Key Safety Measures 4 quadrant gates that block all lanes of travel 2 quadrant gates with 100 foot medians Vehicle Presence Detection Dynamic Exit Gate Operating Mode Pedestrian treatments at grade crossings Controls (fencing) between grade crossings to prevent trespassing 35 of 46

36 What is a Quiet Zone? A Quiet Zone is a section of a rail line at least one-half mile long that contains one or more consecutive grade crossings at which locomotive horns are not routinely sounded when trains are approaching the crossing. Train horns will be sounded in emergency situations or to comply with other rules; therefore, a more appropriate description is a reduced horn area. Because the absence of a horn increases the risk of a crossing collision, additional safety measures are required to mitigate the risk. 36 of 46

37 How is a Quiet Zone Established? A Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) is calculated using the FRA Quiet Zone Calculator that is located on their website. The QZRI is based on all the crossings in the requested quiet zone, with or without any additional safety measures. If the QZRI is less than the Risk Index With Horns (RIWH) sounded, the FRA will permit the establishment of a Quiet Zone. Quiet Zone requests are submitted to the FRA Additional safety measures would have to be constructed before FRA would approve the establishment of a Quiet Zone. There is no deadline for requesting a Quiet Zone. 37 of 46

38 Approved Quiet Zone Safety Measures 4 Quad Gates that block all lanes of travel 2 Gates with foot medians to separate opposing traffic38 of 46

39 Quiet Zone VS. Sealed Corridor Safety Measures Quiet Zone 4 quadrant gates 2 quadrant gates with 60 ft. medians 4 quadrant gates Sealed Corridor 2 quadrant gates with 100 ft. medians Vehicle Presence Detection with Dynamic Exit Gate Operating Mode Pedestrian treatments at grade crossings Controls (fencing) between grade crossings 39 of 46

40 Additional Grade Crossing Safety Measures Recommended by FRA Remote Health Monitoring (RHM) - technology on entire route from Miami to Cocoa that detects grade crossing system malfunctions and automatically notifies railroad and emergency personnel to protect, inspect and repair the crossing until it is repaired. 40 of 46

41 Additional Grade Crossing Safety Measures Requested by County Sealed Corridor Treatments even where passenger rail speeds are below 80 mph Formal pedestrian crossings (sidewalks) at all grade crossings Fences where there is historic trespassing RHM at all crossings 41 of 46

42 Safety Measures on Current AAF Plans 18 crossings have Sealed Corridor safety measures 9 crossings have no additional safety measures 12 crossings have sidewalks 15 crossings have no formal pedestrian crossing Remote Health Monitoring is not indicated 42 of 46

43 Safety Concerns AAF only provided construction plans at the grade crossings and did not identify improvements between grade crossings where trespassing is epidemic. Sealed Corridors direct pedestrians to cross at grade crossings. The current plans only have sidewalk facilities at 12 of the 27 crossings in Martin County. Pedestrians and motorists will have difficulty judging the time it takes for a train traveling at 110 mph to reach their location. AAF has not committed to all available safety technologies 43 of 46

44 Financial Concerns If the AAF project moves forward, the annual cost of grade crossing licenses, repairs and rehabilitation activities that Martin County is currently obligated to pay, is estimated to increase approximately $1M by 2020, $1.7 M by 2030 and $3M by Martin County believes that AAF should be responsible for these additional costs. 44 of 46

45 Summary Sealed Corridor safety measures are included on AAF current plans where speeds are greater than 80 mph. Sealed Corridor safety measures are more stringent than Quiet Zone safety measures. Quiet Zones can be requested at any time. The FEC corridor does not currently include Quiet Zone safety measures. If Quiet Zones were requested prior to the installation of Sealed Corridor safety measures, Martin County would have to pay for their installation. 45 of 46

46 Questions? 46 of 46