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 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 the submission of bridge inspection reports by privately owned railroads to the Commissioner of Transportation, the Governor, and the Legislature. It also mandates the installation and maintenance of wayside detector systems along railroad tracks, with oversight from the Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Transportation. If a railroad company fails to cooperate, an investigation will be conducted to ensure compliance with federal safety standards, and a report will be submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration if non-compliance is found. Non-profit labor organizations are granted access to inspect for safety hazards, and the Department of Transportation is tasked with assisting these organizations and local emergency services in applying for federal safety grants.