The National Transportation Safety Board recommended that railroads should be notified before low-clearance, slow-moving loads cross railroad crossings.

The recommendation came as the result of an investigation of a November 2000 crash in Intercession City, Fla., between an Amtrak train and a tractor-trailer. The agency determined that the probable cause of the accident “was the failure of the Kissimmee Utility Authority, its construction contractors and subcontractors, and the motor carrier to provide for the safe passage of the load over the grade crossing.”
The NTSB also concluded that had the Florida Department of Transportation included language on the permit explaining that low clearance, slow-moving vehicles are required to notify the railroad before crossing the accident might have been avoided. The Safety Board investigated a similar accident at the same location on November 30, 1993.
"Grade crossing accidents like this one, and one we investigated at the same site in 1993, can be eliminated," said Chairman Marion C. Blakey. "Notification to the railroads of scheduled crossings of low-clearance, slow moving and wide loads will help provide safe passage of these vehicles," she added.
A summary of this report is available on the NTSB Web site at www.ntsb.gov under "Publications.”