centrelijn

Centrelijn, meaning center line in Dutch, refers to the central axis of a linear feature such as a road, canal, railway corridor, or other infrastructure, as well as to the road markings that designate the middle of a roadway. Its primary function is to provide a visible reference point that guides navigation, lane discipline, and alignment during design and construction.

In road traffic, the centrelijn is typically marked on the roadway and can be shown as continuous or broken lines. The pattern used is determined by national or local regulations. A dashed or broken center line generally allows overtaking or crossing when it is safe, while a solid center line usually prohibits crossing to improve safety on sections with limited visibility, curves, or hills. Some jurisdictions employ variations such as double center lines or different color markings to indicate stricter or specific restrictions.

Beyond traffic markings, centrelijn serves as a fundamental reference in planning, surveying, and civil engineering. It acts as the central axis for the layout and alignment of linear infrastructures like roads, railways, canals, and pipelines. In mapping and geographic information systems, the centrelijn is represented as a central polyline that defines the geometry and alignment of the feature. The exact rules and representations of centrelijn vary by country and authority, with detailed specifications found in national road codes and design guidelines.