Sal, There was a survey in Ames: http://www.iowadot.gov/trainhornstudy.htm
In this 73% of those surveyed who live close to the tracks responded the whistle noise was too loud prior to the Quiet Zone, and only 4% after the Quiet Zone (with automated whistles) was instituted. 60% reported the noise to be "very disturbing" at night time before the Quiet Zone. This fell to 35% after the Quiet Zone was instituted. The Council has already agreed to give $20,000 from the rebate they will get for closing 2 crossings. It's not the City that is holding this up, it will go ahead if private donations will support it. Anyway regardless of where you stand on the issue I hope you'll come to the talk by Steve Briggs. It was superb last time (about 4 years ago). --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine <salsunsh...@...> wrote: > > On Feb 25, 2010, at 9:23 AM, brian64705 wrote: > > > Bill, > > > > It's not about getting of the train. Just the whistle. If you live close by > > there will be still automatic whistles at crossings which have can be heard > > over a much more restricted area than the train whistle. Several towns in > > Iowa have a Quiet Zone: Burlington, Ames, LeClaire, Dennison, Nevada. Of > > course not all agree, but the large majority of the residents are in favor. > > Hey, Brian, with all due respect, this > simply is not the case. I don't know > if there have been any polls on it (and > I kind of doubt it, since i've been following > this issue with interest ever since the > beginning and haven't seen any) but > going by the few letters that have appeared > in the Ledger and the lack of support on the > City Council the first time around, I would say > that the above > is definitely wishful thinking on the part > of the QZ supporters. If there was wide > support as you suggest, it's doubtful it > would have taken as long as it has to get > to even this point. In fact, I am guessing > that if it does ever get to a vote again, > this issue will cause a huge hue and cry > from many in the town who feel that it > is unnecessary and not in the town's best > interest. If you have evidence to the contrary > I would appreciate hearing about it. > > > This report from Ames includes a survey in which 67% of residents responded > > they were very positive about the new quiet zone: > > http://www.iowadot.gov/trainhornstudy.htm > > > > It is not about changing the historical charm associated with trains. The > > problem is the number of trains has increased several fold to up to 70 > > trains per day now. And the whistle noise volume has also greatly increased > > due to safety requirements. So this is more about getting back to the level > > of noise we had in the past. > > > > And it's nothing to do with getting a train stop in Fairfield. That's an > > economic issue and will just not happen. >
