As a resident deeply affected by continued sound pollution and the nuisance it creates, I am calling upon the Town of Berkley, Massachusetts in collaboration with South Coast Rail and the Massachusetts state to amend the contract governing the railroad crossing at Myricks and Grove Street, extending to Cotley Street. This amendment would create a Quiet Zone during the hours of 11 pm and 7 am where train conductors are not required to sound the horn.

The horn sounds during the night not only disturb sleep but also contribute to noise pollution that impacts the general quality of life for Berkley residents. According to the Noise Pollution Clearinghouse, excessive noise can lead to numerous health issues including stress, sleep disturbances, and even cardiovascular diseases. By implementing this changes, we take a step toward increasing the overall well-being of our local community.

We sincerely hope that the Town of Berkley, South Coast Rail, and the state will consider this petition to implement Quiet Zone hours at the aforementioned railroad crossing in Berkley, MA. Every signature added to this petition represents a voice raised against noise pollution and health hazard. The time for change is now. Please sign this petition.

The Issue at hand……

A formal request for a Quiet Zone during the hours of 11pm and 7am at the

Railroad crossing at Grove Street and Myricks Street (included Cotley Street, Berkley, MA)

Contained within a formal request that the Town of Berkley, MA work with South Coast Rail and the state of Massachusetts to amend the crossing contract whereas the train conductors are not required to sound the horn at the Railroad crossing of Myricks / Grove Street, (included Cotley Street, Berkley, MA). 

 Reasons to eliminate the train horn:

Harmful noise levels.

The train horns cause loud and dangerous noise levels within our community as well as to the abundant wildlife next to the crossing. Trains blow the horn at night until 1:45am and restart in in the morning at 4:45am. Some rail engines are much louder than others. There are neighbors who have documented dangerous noise levels exceeding 96 decibels on and close to neighborhood streets. This noise level can harm adults, children playing outdoors, numerous autistic children in the area, pets fenced in back yards, neighbors taking walks through the neighborhood not to mention the psychological effects and lack of adequate sleep hours. 

Information is from the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) - the train horn MUST be less than 110dB (Decibels) 110 dB is rated as follows: Steel mill, auto horn at 1 meter. Turbo-fan aircraft at takeoff power at 200 ft. (118 dB). Riveting machine (110 dB); live rock music (108 - 114 dB). 110 Average human pain thresholds. 16 times as loud as 70 dB which is thought to be a "tolerable" noise level for most humans

Fire station 2 in the town of Berkley is also within 500 feet of the crossing. Train horns can sequentially cancel out any sirens, alerts and emergency dispatches of the local fire department. The elimination of the train horns may raise the desirability of homes in the immediate area and prompt new residential construction.