richtingsrichting

Richtingsrichting is a Dutch term used in traffic engineering and road design to denote the designated direction of travel for a particular road section, lane, or sign. The word combines richting (direction) with an element that emphasizes the specific orientation drivers are expected to follow in practice.

Use and scope: The concept is applied in situations where the direction of movement must be explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. Examples include one-way streets, reversible lanes, diverging or converging junctions, and work zones where traffic flow is temporarily restricted. It also appears in planning and signage documents to describe the intended flow of traffic for a corridor or intersection.

Signage and communication: Richtingsrichting is implemented through road signs, lane arrows, pavement markings, and traffic control devices that communicate the allowed movements to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Clear articulation of the richtingsrichting helps improve safety and efficiency by reducing conflicting movements and confusion at complex intersections or construction areas.

Context and usage: The term is primarily used in Dutch-speaking traffic management contexts, including the Netherlands and Flanders, and is typically described in guidelines and design manuals published by national and regional road authorities such as Rijkswaterstaat. It is a specialized term that distinguishes the prescribed or planned direction of travel from the more general concept of direction.

See also: traffic signs, lane markings, one-way streets, reversible lanes, road safety guidelines.