Querführung

Querführung, from German, literally "lateral guidance" or "transverse guidance," is a term used in engineering and related fields to describe the control of motion or alignment perpendicular to a principal direction of travel. The concept centers on guiding an object along a transverse path, maintaining lane, track, or corridor position, and counteracting disturbances that push it sideways.

In rail transport, querführung refers to the lateral control of a rail vehicle relative to the track. It encompasses wheel-rail contact forces, bogie design, and track geometry that keep the vehicle centered on its rail gauge, especially on curves. Effective querführung reduces wear, improves stability, and lowers the risk of derailment.

In vehicle dynamics and automated systems, querführung describes lateral steering or path-following control. It is implemented via steering actuators, electronic stability control, and path-planning algorithms to maintain a desired lateral path under disturbances such as crosswinds or surface irregularities.

In robotics and autonomous navigation, querführung denotes transverse guidance along corridors or surfaces, using sensors to maintain a planned lateral line and to avoid obstacles.

In biomechanics and gait analysis, researchers may refer to transverse guidance to describe how limb joints or body segments coordinate to produce side-to-side movement during locomotion or balance tasks.

The term is primarily used in German-language sources; in English literature, terms such as lateral guidance, transverse control, or path-following in the lateral axis are commonly employed. The precise definition depends on the disciplinary context and the system being controlled.