Dear MPCC Councilmembers,

I’m writing to add my voice to those asking for your help in working towards Quiet Zones.

My family, and all of us living within earshot of Caltrain in Menlo Park, must contend every day with invasive horn blasts, with the trains passing literally next to our homes, right though the middle of this city's active community.

The sound levels consistently — and relentlessly — exceed 100 decibels. This is well known to damage hearing, induce stress, disturb sleep, disrupt conversations, and create an unhealthy environment in many other ways. It’s worst for the most vulnerable among us. We’re now facing the terrible prospect of the horns doubling or more in frequency in the coming months or years.

Some of the Caltrain engineers seem to be particularly insensitive (or diabolical, as cynics might say), laying on the extended horn at highest levels for a half mile or more on their way through town, rather than the prescribed short bursts. There is no recourse to their behavior and no consequences to them or Caltrain whatsoever.

We know it’s going to get worse. Caltrain has been clear about that. We can start taking action now, before it does. Atherton has shown us the way.

I give my thanks to the City Staff and Council for all that you do, across so many fronts, and I also offer to be of assistance in this project in any way that a resident can be of help.

Kind regards,
Maria Amundson