An elevation profile shows the vertical path of a route. For OS/OW transport, it reveals:

**What to Look For** - **Sustained grades:** Long climbs or descents that affect speed and braking - **Grade changes:** Transitions from flat to steep, or from climb to descent - **Crests and sags:** Points where visibility changes and trailer dynamics shift - **Compound curves:** Where horizontal curves coincide with grades

**Reading the Profile** - X-axis: distance along route - Y-axis: elevation - Slope of the line: grade percentage - Steeper line = steeper grade

**Critical Analysis Points** 1. Maximum grade percentage on climbs (traction) 2. Maximum grade percentage on descents (braking) 3. Length of sustained grade sections 4. Location of grade transitions 5. Correlation with horizontal curves

Elevation data should be ground-truthed at critical points, as digital elevation models can have significant errors.