zijsprongen

Zijsprongen are divergences in a network or system where a secondary line or channel branches off from a main line. The term is used in Dutch engineering and planning to describe a lateral connection that enables supply, transport, or drainage to a side area without interrupting the primary flow. Zijsprongen can be permanent or temporary and vary in scale from small spur tracks to large lateral pipelines or feeder lines.

In rail transport, a zijsprong refers to a spur or siding that branches from the main line, used for storage, loading, or allowing trains to pass or overtake. In hydraulics and water management, a side channel or flood relief canal can be described as a zijsprong, helping to divert water away from the main channel.

In utilities, zijsprongen denote lateral feeders or branches that supply electricity, gas, or water to specific sectors, buildings, or industrial zones. They require appropriate control, protection, and maintenance to ensure reliability and safety, and are designed to manage flow, pressure, or load while minimizing interference with the main line.

The concept is related to other terms such as spur, branch line, feeder, or lateral connection, and is a common feature in the planning and operation of complex networks, enabling modular expansion and localized service without compromising the integrity of the primary route.