Traffic events are identified using terminology adopted nationally that groups together recurring situations which may generate disruptions and\/or hazardous conditions:<\/p>\n
FLOODING<\/strong> ANIMALS ON THE ROAD<\/strong> SERVICE AREA CLOSED<\/strong> SERVICE AREA OVERCROWDED<\/strong> LOST LOAD<\/strong> GOODS VEHICLES BAN<\/strong> HEAVY VEHICLES BAN<\/strong> QUEUE<\/strong> In the case of long queues, users are advised to follow an alternative route (either motorway or ordinary road) recommended to bypass the critical section of the route.<\/p>\n INTERMITTENT QUEUES<\/strong> SOS CALL BOXES INACTIVE<\/strong> WINTER TYRE OR CHAIN CHECK<\/strong> SPEED CHECK<\/strong> TEMPORARY STOP FOR HEAVY VEHICLES<\/strong> The manoeuvre, carried out in consecutive phases, is characterised by:<\/p>\n The plan is also activated \u2014 always in accordance with the procedures set out in the relevant operational protocols \u2014 in the event of non-ordinary situations (for example, a truck drivers\u2019 strike) that require targeted management of freight traffic.<\/p>\n UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE<\/strong> LANDSLIDE<\/strong> SMOKE<\/strong> ICE FORMING<\/strong> MAJOR EVENTS<\/strong> HAIL<\/strong> FIRE<\/strong> ACCIDENT<\/strong> ROADWORKS<\/strong> STRUCTURAL DAMAGE<\/strong> DEMONSTRATION<\/strong> DEBRIS ON ROADWAY<\/strong> FOG<\/strong> PATCHY FOG<\/strong> SLEET<\/strong> RAIN<\/strong> FREEZING RAIN<\/strong> HEAVY RAIN<\/strong> SERVICE AREA ISSUES<\/strong> TRAFFIC CONTROL WITH POSSIBLE DIVERSION TO ALTERNATIVE ROUTE<\/strong> Depending on the event scenario and its evolution, the Operator\/Concessionaire and the Traffic Police assess whether to activate the temporary stoppage of vehicles on the carriageway, on the hard shoulder, or in pre-identified rest or holding areas, and the closure of access points (junctions, toll stations, etc.) until the emergency phase has passed or weather and trafficability conditions have improved.<\/p>\n TRAFFIC CONTROL WITH LANE REDUCTION<\/strong> ALTERNATING ONE-WAY TRAFFIC<\/strong> WET AND ICY ROAD<\/strong> THUNDERSTORMS<\/strong> BLOCKED TRAFFIC<\/strong> Not equivalent to ‘closed’, but may be the cause.<\/p>\n If the disruption persists and queues continue to form, users will be advised to follow an alternative route (either motorway or ordinary road) recommended to bypass the affected section of the route.<\/p>\n HEAVY TRAFFIC<\/strong> SLOW-MOVING TRAFFIC<\/strong> OVERSIZE LOAD TRANSPORT<\/strong> SECTION CLOSED, ENTRANCE CLOSED, EXIT CLOSED, INTERCHANGE CLOSED (FOR ALL VEHICLE CATEGORIES)<\/strong> SECTION CLOSED FOR TARPAULIN TRUCKS, VANS, CAMPERS AND CARAVANS<\/strong> SLOW-MOVING VEHICLES<\/strong> ESCORTED VEHICLES DUE TO BAD WEATHER<\/strong> VEHICLE DRIVING THE WRONG WAY<\/strong> STOPPED\/BROKEN-DOWN VEHICLE<\/strong> VEHICLE ON FIRE<\/strong> STRONG WIND<\/strong> \u00a0<\/strong> Traffic events are identified using terminology adopted nationally that groups together recurring situations which may generate disruptions and\/or hazardous conditions: FLOODING Indicates flooding or water pooling on the roadway affecting drivability. ANIMALS ON THE ROAD Indicates the presence of one or more animals (alive or dead) on the motorway carriageway. SERVICE AREA CLOSED Indicates closure […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":11377,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-11450","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nIndicates flooding or water pooling on the roadway affecting drivability.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the presence of one or more animals (alive or dead) on the motorway carriageway.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates closure to vehicles and people, as well as prohibition of transit and parking in the designated area.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates overcrowding of vehicles within the service area; potential delays in accessing refuelling or services may be reported.<\/p>\n
\nPresence of debris on the carriageway due to load lost by a passing vehicle: the fallen material, generally consisting of single objects, may be hazardous or harmful to health.<\/p>\n
\nProhibition of transit on a section of road\/motorway for vehicles transporting goods (e.g., due to customs closure).<\/p>\n
\nProhibition of transit on a section of road\/motorway for vehicles exceeding the permitted weight thresholds (e.g., 3.5 t or 7.5 t).<\/p>\n
\nAccumulation of vehicles along a stretch of road\/motorway, a branch of an interchange or a toll station\/junction. Vehicles are mostly stationary and move in \u201cintervals\u201d, with \u201cstop\u201d phases longer than the \u201cgo\u201d phases. Lane changes are nearly impossible and merging into traffic is very difficult. If the situation persists, traffic-management measures may be implemented to facilitate the outflow of queued vehicles and prevent the queue from extending further.<\/p>\n
\nPresence along a road or motorway section of more than 5 km in length of multiple queues, separated by stretches where traffic is moving. These intermittent queues may also affect an extended motorway section, which can include multiple junctions and\/or toll stations.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates non-functioning SOS call boxes along the affected section.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates checks carried out by the Operator\/Concessionaire and Police to verify the presence of winter equipment on vehicles during snowfall on the affected section.<\/p>\n
\nEncourages drivers to reduce speed by alerting them to the presence of speed control systems, in order to prevent sudden braking upon sight.<\/p>\n
\nThe temporary stoppage of vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes is ordered by the Motorway Operator\/Concessionaire, in agreement with the Traffic Police, in the event of heavy snowfall along the road\/motorway network, in accordance with specific operational protocols (agreed between the Operator\/Concessionaire, the Traffic Police, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and Road Haulage Associations).<\/p>\n\n
\nIndicates that the passable road surface is damaged or lacks horizontal road markings that signal its temporary irregularity.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates a landslide that has invaded or may invade the roadway.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the presence of smoke encroaching onto the road\/motorway, potentially reducing driver visibility.<\/p>\n
\nPossible formation of ice on the pavement.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the occurrence of an event that is affecting the surrounding traffic conditions (e.g., trade fair, state visit, etc.).<\/p>\n
\nAn intense hailstorm is in progress. It indicates the presence of the event by providing information on the reduction in visibility, expressed in metres. In particular, it reports the reduction of the speed limit to 110 km\/h on the motorway and to 90 km\/h on major non-urban roads, so that speed may be adjusted to the condition of the roadway.<\/p>\n
\nPresence of a fire near the roadway. This may be caused by burning vegetation along the carriageway or in the central reservation, or by other factors (e.g., a vehicle on fire).<\/p>\n
\nPresence on the roadway of stationary vehicles or of people and rescue personnel due to an accident involving at least one vehicle that has left the carriageway and\/or collided with another vehicle, person, structure or obstacle.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the presence of roadworks occupying part of the roadway and\/or its related areas for activities that cannot be carried out without restricting traffic along the affected section. The lanes involved or those available for transit are specified, along with additional details such as the type of work and its duration. Additional information may be included, such as \u201clong-term\u201d, \u201cbridge demolition\u201d, \u201cmaintenance\u201d, \u201croad markings\u201d, \u201cclearing\u201d, \u201cin tunnel\u201d, or \u201con the hard shoulder\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nThe damaged structure is reported (overpass pier, tunnel vault, etc.) along with any related disruption to traffic.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the presence of people occupying the roadway as part of a demonstration (e.g. strike, march, etc.).<\/p>\n
\nPresence of material on the carriageway due to accidental detachment of debris or illegal dumping: the dispersed material, which generally affects a large section of the roadway, may be hazardous or harmful to health.<\/p>\n
\nPresence of fog banks with reduced visibility expressed in metres.<\/p>\n
\nPatches of fog with reduced visibility expressed in metres.<\/p>\n
\nSNOW<\/strong>
\nHEAVY SNOWFALL<\/strong>
\nA snowfall of varying intensity is occurring; the road surface may remain unchanged or become whitened\/covered with snow.<\/p>\n
\nA precipitation event is in progress. The presence of the event is indicated, and in particular the speed reduction is reported: 110 km\/h on the motorway (where higher limits apply) and 90 km\/h on major non-urban roads, so that speed may be adjusted to the condition of the roadway.<\/p>\n
\nA freezing rain event is in progress. The presence of the event is indicated, along with a warning about the possible formation of ice. This phenomenon is highly dangerous because it eliminates visibility by depositing ice on the windscreen.<\/p>\n
\nAn intense precipitation event is in progress. The presence of the event is indicated by providing information on the reduction in visibility, expressed in metres. In particular, the speed reduction is reported: 110 km\/h on the motorway and 90 km\/h on major non-urban roads, so that speed may be adjusted to the condition of the roadway.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates a type of service unavailable within a service area (e.g., out-of-order restrooms, fuel shortages, etc.).<\/p>\n
\nIndicates a local traffic-management measure ordered by the Motorway Operator\/Concessionaire, in agreement with the Traffic Police, based on shared operational plans. In the event of traffic congestion near or through roadworks, traffic volumes exceeding the road\/motorway capacity, or during ongoing snowfall, this measure provides for the dynamic regulation of traffic flows, with temporary diversion of vehicles onto alternative routes alternating with normal flow on the carriageway, until road or weather conditions and pavement conditions improve.<\/p>\n
\nTraffic-management measure involving a reduction of the carriageway, implemented by the Motorway Operator\/Concessionaire through the installation of appropriate signage, in order to channel and regulate traffic approaching the area affected by the disruption (ongoing snowfall or other events), thereby improving traffic flow within it.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates alternating one-way traffic flow: vehicles pass first in one direction, then in the other.<\/p>\n
\nWet road surface with ice formation.<\/p>\n
\nAn intense thunderstorm is in progress. The presence of the event is indicated by providing information on the reduction in visibility, expressed in metres. In particular, the speed reduction is reported: 110 km\/h on the motorway and 90 km\/h on major non-urban roads, so that speed may be adjusted to the condition of the roadway.<\/p>\n
\nA line of stationary vehicles along a stretch of motorway, a branch of an interchange or a toll station\/junction. The roadway is completely obstructed (blockage) and vehicle transit is temporarily impossible. If the situation persists, traffic-management measures may be implemented to allow queued vehicles to be cleared (U-turn operations or diversion onto the opposite carriageway) and to prevent the queue from extending further (entry bans and\/or mandatory exits), or vehicles may be redirected onto alternative routes.<\/p>\n
\nThere is a high volume of vehicles, which may easily lead to slowdowns in the event of even minor disruptions. The large number of vehicles dictates the traffic speed. Lane changes and merging manoeuvres onto the motorway cause additional slowdowns.<\/p>\n
\nSlow movement of vehicles along a stretch of road\/motorway, a branch of an interchange or a toll station\/junction. Vehicles travel parallel to one another in the available lanes. Lane changes and merging manoeuvres may affect the traffic flow, significantly reducing speed and potentially causing queues to form.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the possibility of encountering sudden slowdowns and\/or queues along the route due to the transit of one or more exceptional loads.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the closure to traffic of all vehicles along a stretch of motorway, a branch of an interchange or a toll station\/junction, in one or both directions of travel. When a section is closed, a mandatory exit is imposed at the first junction\/toll station of the affected section, and the first and all intermediate entrances in the direction of the closure are closed. Intermediate exits also become mandatory.<\/p>\n
\nClosure of a motorway section to traffic for tarpaulin-covered vehicles, vans, motorhomes and caravans only. The restriction is due to strong winds.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the presence of mobile work vehicles along the carriageway: for example, snowploughs and\/or salt spreaders operating on the road\/motorway, vehicles used for repainting road markings, or vehicles used for cleaning vertical signage.<\/p>\n
\nMeasure by which the Traffic Police and\/or the Motorway Operator\/Concessionaire oversee the gradual resumption of traffic following a previous vehicle stoppage, using a designated vehicle (acting as a \u201csafety car\u201d) positioned at the head of the queue to regroup vehicles, regulate their speed and, in any case, ensure a safe return to normal traffic conditions.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the presence of one or more vehicles travelling in the wrong direction and entails the closure of the entrances affected by their trajectory.<\/p>\n
\nPresence of a stopped and\/or broken-down vehicle obstructing the roadway.<\/p>\n
\nIndicates the presence on the carriageway, or at its edges, of a vehicle on fire.<\/p>\n
\nThis alert is issued when wind speeds exceed 40 km\/h or are otherwise considered\u2014by the Operator or the Traffic Police\u2014to be capable of compromising vehicle stability. The event may be accompanied by a warning advising against travel or by a transit ban for tarpaulin-covered vehicles, vans, caravans and motorhomes.<\/p>\n
\nREDUCED VISIBILITY (CAUSE: SMOKE)<\/strong>
\nPresence of smoke invading the road\/motorway and reducing drivers\u2019 visibility.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"