THE TOLL SYSTEM ON FRENCH MOTORWAYS. SYSTEMS OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE COST COVERAGE. REPORT OF THE 80TH ROUND TABLE ON TRANSPORT ECONOMICS, PARIS, FEBRUARY 9-10, 1989

This paper describes French motorway policy in general, and presents the technical and commercial aspects of toll collection on French motorways. It considers: (1) the advantages and disadvantages of tolls; (2) general characteristics of the toll system; (3) the 'closed' toll system'; (4) the 'open' toll system; (5) flow capacity and toll collection equipment; (6) toll collection costs; (7) progress made since the beginning of toll collection; (8) faster and 'painless' collection of tolls; (9) the introduction of season tickets; (10) future trends in the motorway system and in toll collection. Based on its toll system, France has rapidly constructed a network of link motorways that will open up the whole country to European traffic in satisfactory conditions of speed, safety and comfort. It has also helped to provide up-to-date facilities on most of the major roads of European importance. A 'tele-tolling' project is now being developed, where France is working with neighbouring countries using the toll system (Italy and Spain) in the DRIVE project, that is an integral part of much broader research to develop a standardised ground/vehicle communications system at European level. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 831508.