To add to that, public transport based on trains is and always will be a source of noise, even if they are purely electrical
That depends entirely on the tracks, and the wheel(sets) of the trains, though.
No matter if streetcars/trams downtown, or so called 'light-rail'/fast-rapid-mass-transit reaching out into the periphery, or neighbouring towns.
They can also be buried by applying that strange concept called 'subway'.
Hrrm, what happened to all those hyped loops, btw?
i'd trade the predictable rumble of a train a couple of hours a day over the unpredictable roar and rumble of trucks and muscle cars.