Interchange
Origin
Middle English entrechaungen, from Anglo-French entrechanger, from entre- inter- + changer to change
Definitions
Description
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which roads cross at grade. Interchanges are almost always used when at least one of the roads is a controlled-access highway (freeway or motorway) or a limited-access divided highway (expressway), though they may occasionally be used at junctions between two surface streets.
In freight rail transport, interchange is the practice of railroads conveying freight cars ("foreign" cars) from other companies over their lines. This benefits shippers, whose cargo might otherwise have to be transhipped if the point of origin and destination are not both served by the same company.
In passenger rail transport the term through car or through coach is used to denote a passenger car which is conveyed from one train to another, even within the same system.[1]
