Gradient :

It is expressed as the ratio of the difference of heights between the two points and the distance
between them.
Thus, if the difference of level between two points A and B is 1 feet and the horizontal distance
between them is 50 feet, the gradient is said to be 1 in 50. It is also sometimes expressed as a
percentage is 1/50 x 100 = 2 %

Floating Gradient
When a motor vehicle descends a gradient, some traction is required to maintain it at uniform speed,
but due to the descent, these are the negative traction forces or resistance. This resistance will be
equal to the traction effort required to maintain the vehicle at a uniform sped with a particular
gradient. Such a gradient is called “Floating Gradient”.
Floating gradients are generally provided at summit curves.