Location markerBelgium
Traffic rules
Belgium
46. Location marker
A location marker is a roadside reference showing a measured position along a road. It normally identifies a kilometre, mile or smaller interval measured from an established starting point on that route.
Kilometre and hectometre markers help road users, emergency services, road authorities and maintenance crews identify an exact section of road. They do not impose a speed limit, priority rule or access restriction.
Wikimedia.org • FrDr • CC BY-SA
What is a location marker in Belgium?
A Belgian road location marker is a kilometre or hectometre reference point indicating a measured position along a numbered motorway or regional road.
What is a Belgian hectometre point?
It represents a position measured in increments of 100 metres along the road.
What is a Belgian kilometre point?
It identifies the number of complete kilometres measured from the official reference origin of that road.
Where are reference points used in Flanders?
They are used along Flemish motorways and numbered regional roads to provide a simple method of identifying locations.
How frequently are Flemish reference points placed?
They are positioned approximately every 100 metres, although an allowed physical deviation of up to approximately 20 metres may occur.
How is a Flemish road location described administratively?
A location can be described using the road identification, reference point and an additional distance, such as reference point 16.2 plus 15 metres.
Can Belgian reference numbers be painted on the road?
Yes. In Flanders, kilometre and hectometre references may be marked on the road beside the edge line.
How are Flemish kilometre and hectometre numbers displayed on the road?
The kilometre number is displayed in smaller figures above a short line, while the hectometre digit is displayed below or beside it in larger figures.
What does a Flemish marking with 14 and 7 mean?
It indicates reference point 14.7 kilometres: kilometre 14 and the seventh hectometre, or 700 metres, after it.
Where is the road-surface reference marking placed?
Flemish guidance places it approximately 0.10 metres from the carriageway edge or edge line.
Are roadside posts also used?
Yes. Reference information may be displayed on posts, plates or other roadside markers, depending on the road and regional system.
How are markers used in Wallonia?
Walloon regional roads use kilometre and hectometre reference markers to identify road positions for road management, incidents and other events.
How frequently are Walloon hectometre markers provided?
They represent points at intervals of 100 metres, while kilometre markers represent each complete kilometre.
On which side are Walloon markers normally positioned?
They are materialised along the right side of the carriageway in the direction in which the route measurement increases.
What forms can a Walloon marker take?
It may be a roadside sign, small plate or a number painted on the ground, depending on the type of road and available space.
Which Walloon marker gives the most precise physical point?
The number painted on the ground is located at the exact metric point and is therefore the principal reference for precise positioning.
Can a roadside post be displaced from the exact measured point?
Yes. Where a post cannot be installed at the exact point, it may be placed nearby. The displayed reference and the exact measured position can therefore differ slightly.
Why are kilometre and hectometre markers useful?
They help locate collisions, breakdowns, hazards, road equipment and maintenance work along the network.
What should you report after an accident or breakdown?
Report the road number, nearest kilometre or hectometre marker, direction of travel and nearby exit where possible.
Is the marker number alone sufficient?
No. The same value may exist on several roads and on separate carriageways. Always include the road number and direction.
Which emergency numbers can be called in Belgium?
Call 112 for urgent medical, fire or police assistance, or 101 when police assistance is required without another emergency service.
Should you cross a Belgian motorway to read a marker?
No. Never cross the motorway or central reservation. Use a marker visible from your safe position or report other nearby reference information.
Should you remain inside a broken-down vehicle?
When the vehicle is stopped dangerously on a motorway, leave it safely where possible and wait behind the safety barrier, away from moving traffic.
May you stop on the motorway merely to inspect a marker?
No. Stopping on a motorway is permitted only in legally allowed places or because of traffic, an emergency or another unavoidable situation.
Does a Belgian location marker impose a speed limit?
No. It is a reference indication and does not replace a C43 speed sign, speed zone or general speed rule.
Does it establish priority?
No. It has no effect on intersection priority, overtaking, parking or permitted directions.
Is it an official numbered Belgian traffic sign?
No. Kilometre and hectometre markers are road-reference equipment rather than regulatory signs from the numbered national traffic-sign catalogue.
Can a kilometre marker help locate road equipment?
Yes. Belgian road managers record signs, bridges, barriers and other assets by reference to the road and its kilometre or hectometre position.
Will Belgium’s new road code change the marker’s meaning?
No major change is expected. These markers remain infrastructure reference points rather than signs imposing rules on road users.
