Driving on a toll motorway without having to cross the toll gates, the system, widespread in many countries, will soon be a reality in several regions of France. In particular from this Friday, November 4, on the A79, on a portion between Montmarault (Allier) and Digoin (Saône-et-Loire). These “free flow” paths must avoid traffic jams, save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions.
Payment online or at terminals
The toll gates will be replaced by large porticoes. Cars will pass underneath without needing to stop. Their license plate will be directly identified thanks to cameras and sensors. But be careful not to forget to pay! Motorists will have several ways to do this. Either, with a classic electronic toll badge, or by going on the website of the new highway. There are several options: customers can choose to save their bank details or pay each time they pass. Finally, last possibility: bollards will be installed along the road, to pay by card or cash. Motorists will have 72 hours to pay their journey. If they do not, a fine of 90 euros will be added to the amount of the toll. It will even be 375 euros, without payment within 60 days.
Several other highways affected
The North and East France Motorway Company (Sanef) has already been experimenting with “free flow” on the Boulay interchange (Moselle), on the A4 motorway, since 2019. Despite a few incidents at the start, “the system has demonstrated its reliability and customers have become familiar with this new payment system”, assures its managing director Arnaud Quemard. Sanef has therefore undertaken to convert to “free flow” Normandy highway which sees 32,000 cars pass by every day. “On the A13 and the A14 between Paris and Caen, there are five barriers, with fairly strong commuting traffic and significant weekend peaks. At each toll barrier, there is a stop with potentially the traffic jam”, explains Arnaud Quemard. These barriers will gradually be replaced by gantries between mid-2024 and mid-2025.
Among the next highways to switch to “free flow” is also theWhite motorway (A40) in Haute-Savoie, “medium term”. All new motorways will also follow this model, like the future A69 between Toulouse and Castres. Going hand in hand with the development of digital technology and online payments, the adoption of free flow was requested by the State when it selected APRR (Autoroutes Paris-Rhin-Rhône) to build the A79.