It is the factual belief of the opposition that said route would be economically and socially harmful to property owners near to the track and to banks and other businesses in Brookings. History would tell us that this is a very reasonable position. It is not a known fact. Industrialists have lied often in the past. Is it a fact that coal trains on the new track can travel through Brookings at 50 MPH and not produce harmful noise and vibration.
Many factors can affect the readings taken on a sound meter including intentional factors.
Definitive scientific studies don't exist. It is known that sound, even at low levels, under certain conditions, can have deleterious psychological effects. At high levels it can be physically damaging to both people and structures. Vibration also may have its effects on health and structures. The definitive evidence about structural damage to buildings as a consequence of vibration is available.