A key element of infrastructure reliability is determined by the stability of the ground type and the earth on which it is built.  Grading reshapes the surface of the land to make it compatible with the intended land use and the overall system. Therefore, all elements of the system, such as elevation and gradients of streets, parking lots, buildings, and vehicle / pedestrian access points must be taken into consideration along with the surrounding existing terrain.  If the grading implementation is not compatible with the existing terrain, project owners can expect to see increases in construction costs due to excessive earthwork requirements, drainage issues, and the need for retaining walls.