Everything You Need to Know About Barrier-Free Motorways

The Free-Flow Motorway: Definition and How It Works

Mobility is a major topic in France today due to the many challenges it presents. Environmental impact, road safety, and smoother traffic flow are all areas that need improvement to offer drivers a better experience. The introduction of free-flow motorways marks a significant step forward, as this system helps address some of these issues. But what exactly is a free-flow motorway? How do you pay tolls on a free-flow motorway? Bip&Go, a leading player in European mobility, explains. 

The Free-Flow Motorway: Definition and How It Works

A free-flow motorway can be described as a “next-generation” motorway. Unlike traditional routes, there are no toll booths with barriers. Traffic flows freely, with no need for drivers to stop to enter or exit. Overhead gantries spanning the road record each vehicle’s passage. Each gantry is equipped with: 
Sensors that identify the vehicle category, 
Antennas that detect the presence of an electronic toll badge, 
Cameras that photograph the vehicle’s number plate. 
The appropriate toll is then charged to each vehicle that uses the free-flow motorway.

The free-flow system offers many advantages for drivers. It allows you to: 
Enjoy a smoother journey without stopping at toll barriers, Reduce traffic jams at toll barriers, 
Avoid the stress and accidents associated with toll areas, 
Lower your environmental impact by reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption during your trip. 
The benefits of free-flow are numerous. That’s why the rollout of free-flow motorways will continue in France through to 2030.

Paying a Toll on a Free-Flow Motorway

Although removing each toll booth barrier helps traffic flow, you still need to pay toll fees. But how do you pay when the toll booths are gone? Drivers have several options. First, you can subscribe to a Bip&Go electronic toll service. You will receive an electronic toll badge to attach to your windscreen. With this badge, a single payment is automatically debited each month, directly on your subscription invoice.

Non-subscribers have 72 hours to pay their tolls. You can pay online on the website of the motorway operator you used, by entering your vehicle’s number plate details . The toll amount is calculated easily and automatically. Depending on the motorway, you can also pay at a tobacconist or at a specific terminal. Note that late payment penalties may apply if you do not pay on time.

Which Motorways Are Barrier-Free?

In France, several routes now operate with free-flow tolling, eliminating toll areas and barriers. These include the A79 motorway in France, the first barrier-free motorway, and the Paris-Normandy motorway corridor with the A13 and A14 motorways, managed by Sanef.

Enjoy total freedom on these motorways of the future! 
But be careful: without barriers at motorway exits, you might forget to pay for your journey! This oversight could result in a fixed fine sent to you by post to settle a penalty. 
Fortunately, there’s a solution: the electronic toll badge, which offers:

• Simplicity: the toll invoice is sent once a month. The amount is debited automatically.
• Safety: no need to stop or change lanes.
• Time-saving: no more queues at the tolls.
• Versatility: works on all types of toll, with or without barriers.
• Smooth traffic: Sanef is modernising the network in Normandy, using traffic data to optimise flow.
• Charging electric vehicles is extremely easy: Bip&Go offers a charging card giving access to a vast network of charging stations at motorway service stations. 

Bip&Go: Your Best Ally for Stress-Free Driving

As a leader in mobility, Bip&Go is committed to making life easier for drivers and improving their experience on the road. Bip&Go has created several subscription plans to meet all needs, whether you use the motorway frequently or only occasionally. Over 2 million customers already trust Bip&Go and benefit from its electronic toll services. Bip&Go also offers solutions for electric vehicle drivers to simplify the charging process at electric charging stations.

As an innovative player in the market, Bip&Go works closely with motorway operators, especially around Paris, to implement the free-flow motorway system and help drivers adopt this new way of travelling.

FAQ 

What are the different ways to use barrier-free motorways?

Free-flow motorways in France are open to all drivers, whether or not they have an electronic toll badge. The difference comes at payment: electronic toll subscribers benefit from automatic payment, while non-subscribers have 72 hours to pay online.

How does barrier-free tolling work with Bip&Go?

With Bip&Go, driving on a free-flow motorway is very easy. The Bip&Go electronic toll badge is detected by an antenna as your vehicle passes under the gantries. There’s no need to stop or do anything. Payment is made automatically on your monthly subscription invoice.

What are the advantages of Bip&Go for drivers who regularly use barrier-free motorways?

Subscribing to Bip&Go’s electronic toll service means you don’t have to worry about payment deadlines for tolls on motorways in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Everything is handled automatically. Payment is debited directly from your subscription invoice, so you won’t risk late penalties. The badge can also be used to access car parks where automatic payment is available: Park in a toll badge car park | Bip&Go.