I support a train horn Quiet Zone for the SE Portland, Oregon, rail corridor. Why Because:  There are already 35 trains each day and night running through the corridor.  With light rail, this will increase five times (to 175 trains), all day and all night long.  Each train is required to sound four 110 decibel blasts at each of five intersections between SE 8th and Clinton – 20 blasts for each train.  Current train horns already disrupt many people’s sleep, damaging long term health.  These blasts exceed recommended health and safety levels; OSHA requires hearing protection at 88 decibels (less than a quarter as loud as a train horn). This “earsplitting” sound will: o Limit viability of a passenger station and nearby bike/pedestrian trails. o Increase liability for hearing loss for people living and working nearby. o Be a barrier to successful economic re-development of the area. o Damage the livability of HAND and Brooklyn neighborhoods. Portland needs transportation solutions that promote a sustainable, livable community. I support a Quiet Zone to eliminate all train horn noise in SE Portland.

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