This document discusses the design of vertical alignment for roads. It defines vertical alignment as the vertical aspect of the road profile, including crest and sag curves. The two basic elements are grades and vertical curves. Grades refer to the rate of rise or fall, while vertical curves provide transitions between sloped roadways and allow gradual elevation changes. The document outlines the types of gradients and vertical curves, and provides the design parameters and equations for determining the length of summit and valley vertical curves based on sight distance and comfort.