GRADE SEPARATION Meaning and
Definition
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Grade separation is a transportation engineering term that refers to the physical separation of different modes of transportation at intersecting points to eliminate conflicts and increase safety and efficiency. It involves the creation of distinct levels or vertical alignments for roadways, railways, or pedestrian paths, thus providing independent pathways for each mode.
In the context of roadways, grade separation commonly implies the creation of overpasses or underpasses to avoid at-grade intersections. This enables vehicles to travel smoothly without interruption, reducing congestion and the likelihood of accidents. This technique is particularly useful in areas with heavy traffic volumes or high-speed roads, where collisions and delays at intersections may be more frequent.
Similarly, in the case of railways, grade separation involves the construction of bridges or tunnels to separate train tracks from other transportation modes. By eliminating interactions between trains and road vehicles, grade separation minimizes the risk of accidents and contributes to a more efficient rail network. Furthermore, grade separation can enhance the overall capacity and speed of the railway system, allowing trains to operate without being hindered by traffic congestion.
Grade separation is also applicable to non-motorized transportation such as pedestrians and cyclists. Creating separated pathways, like pedestrian bridges or underground tunnels, helps to ensure their safety and convenience, allowing them to move independently without risking conflicts with vehicular traffic.
Overall, grade separation is a crucial strategy in transportation planning and design that enhances safety, efficiency, and capacity by physically segregating different modes of transportation.
Common Misspellings for GRADE SEPARATION
- frade separation
- vrade separation
- brade separation
- hrade separation
- yrade separation
- trade separation
- geade separation
- gdade separation
- gfade separation
- gtade separation
- g5ade separation
- g4ade separation
- grzde separation
- grsde separation
- grwde separation
- grqde separation
- grase separation
- graxe separation
- grace separation
Etymology of GRADE SEPARATION
The etymology of the term "grade separation" can be broken down as follows:
1. Grade: The term "grade" in this context refers to an incline or slope along a road or railway. It comes from the Latin word "gradus", which means "step" or "degree". In transportation, "grade" specifically refers to the steepness or inclination of a road or railway track.
2. Separation: The word "separation" comes from the Latin word "separare", which means "to set apart" or "to divide". It refers to the act of dividing or keeping things apart.
Combining these two words, "grade separation" refers to the design or arrangement of separate levels of a road or railway to keep the paths of vehicles, trains, or pedestrians from intersecting or crossing at the same level.
