The southeastern Nebraska town of Hickman is looking to silence the blare of horns from trains that pass through it and disrupt many of its more than 1,000 residents at all hours.

Hickman officials will discuss the possibility of a "quiet zone"
during an open house Tuesday night at the Hickman Community Center.

Such quiet zones can be established if additional safety improvements are put in place at railroad crossings.

Under the measure, trains can blow their horns only in emergencies.

City Administrator Silas Clarke says an average of 43 BNSF trains pass through Hickman daily.

He says the city began looking into setting up a "quiet zone" after receiving a petition with 50 signatures from residents last year.