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Gradient Formula:
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Road gradient refers to the steepness or slope of a road surface, expressed as a percentage. It indicates how much a road rises or falls over a horizontal distance and is crucial for road design, construction, and vehicle performance assessment.
The calculator uses the gradient formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run, multiplied by 100 to convert to percentage format.
Details: Accurate gradient calculation is essential for road safety, drainage design, vehicle performance evaluation, cycling route planning, and construction specifications. It helps determine appropriate road grades for different vehicle types and speeds.
Tips: Enter rise and run values in meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will provide the gradient percentage result instantly.
Q1: What is considered a steep gradient for roads?
A: In the UK, gradients above 10% are considered steep, while gradients above 20% are very steep and typically avoided in main road design.
Q2: How does gradient affect vehicle performance?
A: Steeper gradients increase fuel consumption, reduce vehicle speed, and require more engine power. Heavy vehicles may struggle on gradients exceeding 8-10%.
Q3: What are typical gradient limits for UK roads?
A: Motorways typically have maximum gradients of 3-4%, A-roads 5-8%, and minor roads may have gradients up to 10-12% in hilly areas.
Q4: Can I use different units for rise and run?
A: The calculator uses meters, but you can use any consistent units (feet, yards, etc.) as long as both rise and run use the same unit of measurement.
Q5: How is gradient different from angle?
A: Gradient is expressed as a percentage (rise/run × 100), while angle is measured in degrees. A 45° angle equals 100% gradient, while a 30° angle equals approximately 57.7% gradient.