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Residents urge Pleasanton to update FRA data and study railroad quiet zones to reduce night horn noise
Summary
Several residents asked the Pleasanton City Council to direct staff to update Federal Railroad Administration data and explore engineering options that could lower quiet-zone costs and reduce disruptive nighttime train horns, citing health and quality-of-life impacts.
Multiple residents on April 15 urged the Pleasanton City Council to pursue a railroad quiet zone and asked staff to update Pleasanton’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) traffic and accident data as a first step.
Shiroi Choksi told the council she has a straightforward request: that the city direct staff to upload updated traffic and accident information to the FRA database so the FRA quiet-zone tools can generate current risk calculations. Choksi said Pleasanton’s public data extend only to 2008 and pointed to a 2021 Saint Mary’s Street accident as an example of intervening incidents that should be included. She argued that, with updated data and targeted crossing upgrades such as a quad gate and bollards, overall project costs could fall from an estimated $3,000,000 to roughly $700,000 for the crossings she referenced.
Other speakers cited health and property concerns. Michael Webber summarized studies linking nighttime noise above 55 decibels to sleep disturbance and increased cardiovascular risks and noted precedents in San Diego and Fullerton, where quiet-zone steps reduced community noise complaints and, in some cases, improved property values. Deepi Pradhan described repeated nighttime horn noise that has disrupted her children’s sleep and limited residents’ ability to open windows.
Council response and next steps: speakers asked that the council authorize staff time to update FRA inputs and run quiet-zone scenarios. Staff did not make a formal recommendation during public comment; council members acknowledged the request and signaled interest in review options and a staff analysis.
Representative quotes: Shiroi Choksi said, 'I have a straightforward request that the council direct city staff to update Pleasanton's traffic and accident data in the Federal Railroad Administration, the FRA database.' Michael Webber cited published studies and local precedents in urging consideration of quiet zones.
No council action was taken tonight; the item was raised during the public-comment period and will require a formal council referral or staff report to move forward.
