rampa

Rampa is a term used in Portuguese, Spanish, and some other languages to denote an inclined surface that allows movement between different elevations. Ramps are used in architecture, transportation and industry to connect levels, accommodate wheeled devices, pedestrians, or cargo, and can be static structures in streets, buildings, vehicles, or stages.

Etymology: The word has cognates in French rampe and English ramp, and is generally derived from older Romance or Germanic roots referring to an inclined surface or slope.

Common types and applications include accessibility ramps designed to meet safety standards for wheelchairs and mobility devices; loading ramps at docks, garages and trucks; aircraft and rocket launch ramps; stage or exhibition ramps; and temporary construction ramps for equipment and materials. In urban planning, ramps appear as part of grade separation between streets and sidewalks.

In mathematics and science, the term ramp or rampa is used for a ramp function, a piecewise linear function that increases with a constant slope from zero. In geography or toponymy, Rampa may be used as a place name in Portuguese-speaking regions.