No toll gates, the toll is free flow.
A motorway opening for traffic in 2015 cannot be born old: it is this philosophy, innovative in the Italian context and the hallmark of the Pedemontano Transport System, that has given rise to the decision to abandon the traditional system of toll collection using a collection barrier. Rather than toll gates, Pedemontana Lombarda will have electronic portals along the entry and exit access roads, like those regulating the dedicated lanes in the Lombard capitals. The portals will recognise the old On Board Units as well as the new ones that areabout to commence service. If a car is not equipped with a on-board device, the system will read the number plate and the toll can be paid by via mobile phone, Internet or in the restareas, although it is estimated that, by 2015, 80% of users will be equipped with on board devices (currently already used by more than 60% of those travelling on the motorway).
We are speaking of advanced but not unfeasible technologies, chosen for Pedemontana Lombarda because they are already operational in other countries such as Great Britain, the United States, Canada and Austria, where lorry traffic pays the motorway toll via free flow systems created using Italian technology.
Giving up barriers also results in less land consumption (more than half a million less square metres on the 25 junctions and the three central barriers envisaged in the original project) and will facilitate a higher travelling speed and a reduction in acoustic and air pollution, by eliminating periods when vehicles are slowing down, waiting and setting off again.