Liikuntaradan

Liikuntaradan is the Finnish term for the physical track and route used by transportation systems to move people and goods. It refers to the infrastructure that defines a transportation corridor, including the rails or guiding elements, the surrounding right-of-way, and the facilities that support operation along a defined path. The concept is used to describe both mainline railway tracks and urban rail networks such as trams or light rail, as well as other guided transport systems. The emphasis is on the route and its infrastructure rather than the vehicles themselves.

Track systems vary by network. Mainline railway tracks include the essential components of the track bed, rails and fastenings, as well as signaling and electrification systems that enable safe and reliable operation. Urban rail networks, like trams or light rail, may share road space or be segregated from road traffic, and use their own power supply and control systems. Gauge and power supply configurations differ between networks and countries; in Finland, mainline rail uses a broad gauge, while urban networks employ configurations appropriate to their systems. The condition and design of liikuntarada influence capacity, safety, noise, accessibility, and urban space use, and require ongoing maintenance.

Planning and governance of liikuntarata are integrated with land-use and transport planning. Corridor-level considerations guide where routes run, where stations or stops are located, and how they connect with other modes of transport. Maintenance responsibilities may lie with national rail authorities, municipal operators, or private providers, depending on the network. The term is common in Finnish transport policy to discuss infrastructure that enables passenger movement and freight flows along defined routes.