Let's make some noise

Here at the Voice (and on other community blogs) there has been lots of discussion regarding the obnoxious horn blasts provided courtesy of Caltrain through our humble hamlet. However, according to the article in the recent issue of The Post only some Peninsula towns will see a reduction in horn noise. Notice Burlingame isn't one of them. Did our council do everything in its power to see to it that Burlingame would see a reduction in noise levels? I can't hear you.

Comments

[fred]

That's because the cities that are benefiting from noise reduction have moved the train tracks from grade: San Bruno, Belmont and San Carlos. If Burlingame makes efforts to get cars and pedestrians away from the train tracks they will have noise reduction, as well.

[Steve Kassel]

It's much harder to move the Broadway crossing because it is so close to 101. It would be far more feasible to elevate the rail crossing.

[Mary Chang]

After we threatened to file a lawsuit.

[resident]

The train doesn't even stop there. Why should we spend battleships full of money to fix it?

[Joe]

I have added Jennifer's post here as well as on the HSR thread since a high-speed train doing 120 mph up the Caltrain right of way will be noisy for sure! Here is today's bit:

This is progress, I think.

https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/san-mateo-officials-lobby-in-d-c/article_6deadab2-0495-11e8-a089-17ad4ac4e63d.html

San Mateo officials lobby in D.C.
City seeks support for sewer infrastructure and to reduce train noise
By Samantha Weigel Daily Journal staff 7 hrs ago 0

"A delegation of San Mateo city officials ventured to Washington, D.C., last week as they sought federal buy-in on local projects including an overhaul of its wastewater treatment plant and efforts to reduce train noise along the Caltrain corridor...."

Like many other communities through which Caltrain runs along the spine of the Peninsula, San Mateo is interested in pursuing improvements to create “quiet zones” at some of its crossings. Currently, passenger and freight trains are required to blast their horns to alert of their arrival at all hours of the day and night. But with homes long located along the corridor and transit-oriented developments increasing density near the tracks, there’s a push for that to change. Caltrain is also nearing electrification and high-speed rail officials are hoping to run more trains along the tracks prompting a number of cities to seek approval for quiet zones.

Meeting with federal officials offered an opportunity to learn more about various standard and non-standard improvement options that could be implemented to create quiet zones, Underwood said.

With 11 crossings across San Mateo and train horns sounding thousands of times a month, Papan noted it’s a pertinent quality of life issue for residents. While enhancements are costly and the city will have to find funding partners, she expressed optimism in a path forward.

“What we learned is they’re very willing to work with communities. It’s going to take money, but they’re willing to work with us,” Papan said. “The [regulations] are nationally based and that doesn’t necessarily take into account the nuances of a suburban area. … But regs aren’t going to change any time soon, so we’ll have to figure out how to comply and create a quiet zone.”

"...City and transit officials are expected to partner in considering a range of safety improvements that would earn federal approval to lift requirements conductors sound their horn at crossings. Traditional options might be quad gates while other non-standard possibilities are different safety enhancements along the street, Underwood explained.