TTS Italia Handbook 2006

One of the key aspects of the Italian motorway network is the diffusion of toll payment systems,
which is the key element for traffic fluency. In particular the Telepass, operated by Autostrade in Italy
since 1990, has been a great success: today, the distributed OBU are more than 5 millions and this
result is due to promotional and development activities parallel to the constant upgrade of
technologies. The Telepass system dramatically reduces the waiting times of vehicles and
consequently motor emissions, for reduced environmental impact.
ITS for User Information
In Italy, the management of traffic information at National level is coordinated
and managed by the CCISS (“Centro Coordinamento Informazioni Sicurezza
Stradale”), which was instituted in 1990, by the former Public Works Ministry.
Currently, all mobility managers, both urban and non-urban, diffuse traffic and
transport information through internet, VMS, telephone, teletext, radio and in
many cases also through GSM/GPRS. The objective is that of supporting the
user in his travel choices before and during the trip, so improving transport
comfort and efficiency.
These systems are also an essential tool to promote multimodal choices, by
encouraging the use of transport modes different from car.
TTS Italia Handbook 2006 8