Ma Be wrote: >say an angle in the first quadrant has the horizontal distance >of 1 meter and the height was say 5 cm, would this carachterize >a 5% gradient angle?
For UK roads the answer is no. It is distance travelled (hypotenuse rather than horizontal) and vertical rise. I am sure the same applies throughout Europe. The old method was to write: '1 in 5', but now it is written '20%' for the same gradient. Less than 14% (or perhaps 11%) is not marked. The steepest road averages 33%. You can see references to the old and the current method at these two official pages: www.highwaycode.gov.uk/signs05.shtml www.ordsvy.gov.uk/understanding_mapping/index.htm (look at the 'Map symbol' section and click on either 'Landranger' or 'Explorer') -- Terry Simpson Human Factors Consultant [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.connected-systems.com Phone: +44 7850 511794
