Which type of vehicles can get stuck on a railroad-highway crossing?

Low slung units like car carriers or moving vans can get stuck on a railroad-highway crossing due to their design and ground clearance. These vehicles often have a lower profile compared to standard passenger vehicles and can have difficulty appropriately clearing the rail tracks, especially if the tracks are in an area where the grade or elevation creates a dip.

The risk of getting stuck is heightened when the crossing is not level with the road, which can happen when the road approaches a crossing that is raised or when tracks are installed on a slight incline. Low slung vehicles have less space to maneuver over track bumps or dips, making them susceptible to becoming trapped.

In contrast, standard passenger vehicles typically have a higher ground clearance and are designed to handle various terrains without a significant risk of bottoming out. High-performance sports cars may also be lower to the ground, but their design focuses on aerodynamics rather than height clearance and can handle crossings more effectively than specialized carriers or vans. All types of trucks encompass a wide range of vehicles that may or may not face similar risks depending on their design, but specifically, low slung units have a well-documented tendency to get caught on rail lines when conditions aren’t ideal.