Telecommunications

In communications, a feeder line is a peripheral route or branch from a main line or trunk line.

Electrical Engineering

A transmission line

Transmission line

In communications and electronic engineering, a transmission line is a specialized cable designed to carry alternating current of radio frequency, that is, currents with a frequency high enough that its wave nature must be taken into account...

 is sometimes called a feeder. In radio engineering, a feeder is a line connecting radio equipment to an antenna, usually open wire (air-insulated wire line) or twin-lead

Twin-lead

Twin-lead cable is a two-conductor ribbon cable used as a transmission line to carry radio frequency signals.- Characteristics and uses:...

 from a shortwave

Shortwave

Shortwave radio refers to the upper MF and all of the HF portion of the radio spectrum, between 1,800–30,000 kHz. Shortwave radio received its name because the wavelengths in this band are shorter than 200 m which marked the original upper limit of the medium frequency band first used...

 transmitter. In power engineering, a feeder line is part of an electric distribution network

Electric distribution network

An electric distribution network is a system of cables which deliver electric power from its point of generation to the end users. It comprises high voltage cables, cable splices, network transformers, network protectors, manholes and service boxes....

, usually a radial circuit of intermediate voltage.

Public transport

While applicable to any area of communication

Communication

Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...

 making using of a hierarchical

Hierarchy

A hierarchy is an arrangement of items in which the items are represented as being "above," "below," or "at the same level as" one another...

 network, the term is particularly used in US air travel

Air travel

Air travel is a form of travel in vehicles such as airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons, blimps, gliders, hang gliding, parachuting or anything else that can sustain flight.-Domestic and international flights:...

 and rail transport

Rail transport

Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...

.

Efficient, high-capacity routes connect important nodes while feeder lines connect these nodes to departure and destination points.