1. What is Road Slope?

Road slope (or grade) is the steepness of a road, expressed as a percentage. It represents the ratio of vertical elevation change to horizontal distance. A 10% slope means the road rises 10 meters for every 100 meters of horizontal distance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the slope formula:

Where:

• Elevation Change — Vertical difference in meters
• Horizontal Distance — Horizontal length in meters

Explanation: The formula calculates the tangent of the angle of elevation and converts it to a percentage by multiplying by 100.

3. Importance of Slope Calculation

Details: Road slope is crucial for vehicle performance, safety standards, drainage design, and construction planning. Steeper slopes affect fuel efficiency and braking distance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter elevation change and horizontal distance in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. The result shows slope as a percentage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between slope and angle?
A: Slope is a ratio expressed as percentage, while angle is measured in degrees. 45° equals 100% slope.

Q2: What's considered a steep road slope?
A: Generally, above 7% is considered steep for highways. Local roads may have slopes up to 12-15%.

Q3: How does slope affect vehicles?
A: Steeper slopes increase fuel consumption (uphill) and require careful braking (downhill).

Q4: Can this calculator be used for trails or railways?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to any inclined path, though acceptable slopes differ by application.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise for the inputs provided, but real-world measurements may have instrument errors.