A snowplow (also spelled snow plow, snowplough or snow plough, see miscellaneous spelling differences) is a device intended for mounting on a vehicle, used for removing snow and ice from outdoor surfaces, typically those serving transportation purposes. Although this term is often used to refer to vehicles mounting such devices, more accurately they are known as winter service vehicles, especially in areas that regularly receive large amounts of snow every year, or in specific environments such as airfields. In other cases, pickup trucks and front end loaders are outfitted with attachments to fulfill this purpose. Some regions that do not frequently see snow may use graders and other equipment for this task[citation needed], but graders are nonetheless the best equipment[neutrality is disputed] to remove compacted snow and ice off the streets. Snowplows can also be mounted on rail cars to clear railway tracks.