State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara urged federal officials in a letter released last week to consider ways of reducing train noise from horns, especially during nighttime hours.

Santabarbara in a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation pointed to federal rules that allow local governments to create quiet zones for trains.

Under the regulation, railroads can be directed to cease the sounding of their horns when apporaching highway-rail crossings. The move would mean the need to install new safety measures to be put in place when vehicles are illegally entering crossings when trains are approaching, he said.

The lawmaker is responding to complaints from people in the village of Fort Plain and the town of Rotterdam where they say train noise has been excessively loud, especially at night.

"The increase in train noise over the past few years has reduced the quality of life here in Rotterdam neighborhoods that are near railroad crossings, and other communities in my Assembly district," Santabarbara said.

In the letter to DOT officials, Santabarbara wrote he wants more information on how to establish the quiet zones after the noise has only increased in recent years.