This bill establishes new safety requirements for railroad operations in New Jersey, particularly concerning dangerous hazardous trains. It mandates that the owner or operator of such trains must have a minimum of two crew members on board, with specific exceptions for certain situations, such as when the train is assisting another train or is a tourist operation. Additionally, the bill prohibits any train from exceeding 8,500 feet in length on main or branch lines, imposing civil penalties for violations that range from $500 to $1,000 per foot over the limit, with a maximum penalty of $250,000 for gross negligence or repeated violations that pose imminent hazards.

Furthermore, the bill requires railroad companies to submit bridge inspection reports to the Commissioner of Transportation and mandates the installation of wayside detector systems to monitor train safety. The Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Transportation are tasked with ensuring compliance with these safety measures, and they are authorized to investigate companies that do not cooperate. Non-profit labor organizations representing railroad employees are granted access to inspect for safety hazards, and the Department of Transportation is directed to assist these organizations and local emergency services in applying for federal safety grants. The bill does not apply to certain Class III carriers, except for the maximum length provisions.