Junction facts for kids

A junction is a place where two or more things meet or cross. Think of it like a meeting point! In the world of transport, junctions are super important. They are where roads, railway tracks, or even paths come together.

Junctions help people and goods travel smoothly from one place to another. Without them, it would be very hard to change direction or switch from one route to another.

Road Junctions

A road junction is where two or more roads meet. These are common sights in towns and cities. They allow cars, bikes, and pedestrians to move between different streets.

There are different types of road junctions:

• T-junctions: These look like the letter 'T'. One road ends at another, forming a 'T' shape. Drivers often have to give way to traffic on the main road.
• Crossroads (X-junctions): These look like the letter 'X'. Two roads cross each other. Traffic lights or stop signs often control the flow of vehicles here.
• Roundabouts: These are circular junctions where traffic flows in one direction around a central island. They help keep traffic moving without needing traffic lights.

Road junctions are designed to keep traffic safe and flowing. They use signs, lines, and sometimes traffic lights to guide drivers and pedestrians.

Railway Junctions

An example of a busy railway junction at Clapham Junction in London, one of Europe's busiest stations.

A railway junction is a place where two or more railway tracks join or cross. These are vital for trains to switch tracks and travel to different destinations.

At a railway junction, trains can:

• Cross over: Sometimes, tracks just cross each other, and trains continue straight ahead on their original line.
• Switch tracks: Other times, trains need to turn onto a different track. This is made possible by special movable parts of the track called points or switches. These points can be moved to guide the train's wheels onto the desired track.

Railway junctions are carefully controlled by signals and special control centers. This ensures that trains can move safely and efficiently without crashing into each other. Large railway stations often have many junctions nearby to handle all the incoming and outgoing trains.

Images for kids

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  A robot pointing to a link about junctions for kids.

See also

In Spanish: Junction para niños