avfarter

Avfarter are road infrastructure terms used in Sweden to refer to exits from a highway or major road onto local streets or destinations. The singular avfart denotes a specific exit; the plural avfarter refers to multiple exits along a route. The word is formed from av- meaning off or away and fart, here used in the sense of a journey or route rather than speed.

In practice, an avfart consists of an exit ramp that allows vehicles to leave the main carriageway and a deceleration lane to help drivers reduce speed safely before reaching the cross street or junction. Signs indicating an upcoming avfart, distance to the exit, and the exit number guide drivers. Road design aims to place exits so that traffic flow on the main road remains smooth, while providing safe merging and departure areas for local traffic.

Common features include adequate sight distance, clear approach signage, and appropriate lighting. The ramps are designed to blend with surrounding road networks, sometimes connecting to roundabouts or signal-controlled intersections. In Sweden, authorities publish guidelines on the placement, size, and safety requirements for avfarter as part of traffic engineering and highway maintenance.

In other languages, the equivalent term is generally "exit" or "exit ramp." The concept is widely understood in road planning and is essential for efficient access to towns, services, and amenities along major routes.