What is gradient in transportation engineering.

Gradient is the rate of rise or fall along the length of the road with respect  to the horizontal. The positive gradient or the ascending is denoted as +n and the negative gradient as –n. the deviation angle N is , when two grades meet, the angle which measures the change of directions and is given by the algebraic difference between the two grades (n₁ – (-n₂ )) = n₁ + n₂ = α₁ + α₂. Example : 1 in 30 = 3.33 %   ͌ 2^ͦ  is a steep, while 1 in 50 = 2 %   ͌ 1ͦ 10΄ is a flatter gradient. The gradient representation is illustrated in the figure given below.