Railroads: safety: wayside detectors: train length: emergency vehicle crossing.

Senator Archuleta's railroad safety legislation mandates comprehensive detection systems and operational protocols for freight trains operating in California. The bill requires railroad corporations to install wayside detector systems no more than 10 miles apart along continuous tracks, with allowances up to 15 miles in challenging terrain. These systems must scan passing trains for defects including hot wheel bearings, dragging equipment, and load shifts, triggering automated alerts when problems are detected.

The legislation establishes a 7,500-foot maximum length for freight trains originating in California and requires out-of-state trains exceeding this limit to reduce their length when stopping to add or remove cars within state borders. Additionally, stopped trains blocking grade crossings must clear the intersection when emergency vehicles approach, except when mechanical failures prevent movement.

The California Public Utilities Commission would enforce these provisions through a structured penalty system. Violations of detector system requirements incur minimum $25,000 fines, while train length and crossing clearance infractions start at $5,000 for first offenses and escalate to $25,000 for third violations within three years. Railroad corporations must ensure employee familiarity with these requirements and partner with the commission to establish specific defect detection thresholds.