Cant

The term used to denote the raising of the outer rail on curved track to allow higher speeds than if the two rails were level. Cant compensates for the centrifugal force arising from a train traversing a curve. If a track was canted to the level required for the maximum speed of the fastest train, the level of tilt would be too high for a slower train. A compromise degree of cant is therefore used, known as 'cant deficiency'.