grade separation
1
6.1
- noun
- /ɡreɪd ˌsɛpəˈreɪʃən/
- Specialized
:
separación de niveles
- The city plans to construct a grade separation at the railway crossing to eliminate delays for commuters.
Examples
-
In urban areas, grade separation helps prevent accidents by keeping trains and cars on different levels.
-
Expo grade separation has been done for phase 1 and will be done for phase 2 where it is needed and required.
Blog text (14) -
Yet today, no politician will discuss a conversion from east-west Orange Line BRT to LRT because it would cost a billion dollars inserting rails, catenary, and couple grade separations.
Blog text (18) -
The new highway project includes several grade separations to improve traffic flow and safety at busy intersections.
Antonyms
- Specialized
1
3.2
A place where a road crosses train tracks at the same level with gates or signals
How High
6
7.2
- US
31
3.4
- Specialized
1
6.1
- Specialized
1
3.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun combines 'grade' (level or elevation) with 'separation' (moving apart), so the basic idea of separating routes by different levels is compositionally derivable from the constituents. However, the specific technical meaning referring to an overpass/underpass is specialized vocabulary and may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner without exposure, so it is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Grade separation comes from the simple idea of putting two roads or tracks at different heights. Here, grade means 'level' or 'height' and separation means 'keeping apart', often using a bridge or tunnel so the routes do not meet. That's why a grade separation today means a crossing where the routes are at different levels to reduce accidents and delays.