Question

The maximum grade allowed between two stations in a rapid transit rail system is 3.5%. Between station a and station b which are 290 feet apart, the tracks rise 8 ft. What is the grade of the tracks between these stations ? Round the answer to the nearest tenth of a percent. Does this grade meet the rapid transit rails standards?

Answer 1

Given,

Station A and Station B are 290 feet apart.

Tracks rise 8 feet.

We need to find the slope of the tracks, because the slope of the track is the gradient of the track.

The slope is rise over run.

The rise is "8"

The run is "290"

Hence, the slope is >>>>>

$\frac{8}{290}\approx0.027586$

To convert it to a percentage, we multiply by 100. Thus,

$0.027586\times100\approx2.76\%$

This is within the tolerance range of less than 3.5%.

So, this grade meets the rapid transit rail standards.

Answer

Grade of tracks = 2.8%

Yes, it does meet the rapid transit rail standards.