hoofdwegennet

Hoofdwegennet, literally the main road network, refers to the set of the most important roads in a country. It forms the backbone of road transport, prioritizing mobility for long-distance travel and freight. The concept emphasizes high capacity, reliability, and resilience compared to secondary and local roads.

The network typically includes high-capacity facilities such as motorways and primary arterial roads that connect major cities, regional hubs, ports, and border crossings. The exact composition varies by country, but the hoofdwegennet is defined by the function of the road—its role in regional and national connectivity—rather than solely by administrative classifications.

Governance and maintenance of the hoofdwegennet are usually the responsibility of national authorities, sometimes in collaboration with regional or provincial bodies. Designation, funding, and overarching policy are often set by a central transport agency or ministry, while day-to-day maintenance and operations may be divided among different levels of government or public agencies.

Planning and policy focus on maintaining reliability and safety, reducing travel times, and ensuring network resilience under varying conditions. Investment priorities typically include capacity enhancements on bottlenecks, road safety improvements, traffic management systems, and the integration of the main road network with other modes of transport, such as rail or public transit, to support efficient overall mobility.

In practice, the hoofdwegennet is distinguished from the secondary road network and local streets by its function as the principal corridor system for through traffic and economic activity. Decisions about expansion or upgrading are guided by traffic demand, strategic importance, and regional or national development goals.