Ristmik

Ristmik is the Estonian term for an intersection, the point where two or more roads meet or cross. It is a fundamental element of road networks, urban planning, and geographic description, and it can range from simple junctions to complex crossings used by vehicles and pedestrians.

The word is formed from rist, meaning cross, and the suffix -mik, which marks a place or occurrence. Ristmik is standard in Estonian-language maps, road signs, and planning documents, and is used in everyday speech to describe routes and traffic situations.

Common configurations include four-way intersections where two roads cross, T-intersections where one road ends at another, and Y-intersections. A roundabout is typically referred to as a ringristmik in Estonian. Some ristmik are regulated by traffic signals, others by signs or priority rules; in unsignaled cases, national traffic regulations determine priority and right of way.

In urban planning and transport engineering, ristmik are analyzed for safety, capacity, and efficiency, influencing speed limits, pedestrian safety measures, and public transport routing. The term also appears in geographic and logistical contexts beyond motor traffic, such as crossings of footpaths, cycling routes, or rail lines.