The Via-T Network, in Spain
With almost 11,000 km of motorways, the Spanish network is the second largest European network, just behind Germany (more than 12,000 km of motorways).
The network subject to concession was about 3100 km at the end of 2006 and continues to develop. It is managed by more than thirty companies, mostly private ones. The two principal corridors for goods transport are the axis which joins the Basque French border with Portugal and the Mediterranean axis.
| Motorway network [km] | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorways | 10 829 | 12 554 | 13 860 |
| Others | 706 905 | 779 883 | 832 859 |
| Total network | 717 734 | 792 437 | 832 859 |
| of which "with tolls" | 2 781 | 3 224 | 3 560 |
| Type of Traffic [m tkm] | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 169 856 | 194 059 | 220 633 |
| International + Transit | 74 192 | 84 764 | 96 371 |
| Total traffic | 244 048 | 278 823 | 317 004 |
Source : TEN-STAC, Roland Berger analysis
ETC
Initiated in 2002, ETC is today widespread in Spain including that for heavy duty vehicles: it allows you to go through the barriers of almost the whole Spanish motorway network without having to stop your vehicle.
Called VIA-T, the Spanish system works according to the same principal as the French electronic toll system: a tag is positioned on the windscreen of the vehicle and communicates with an antenna installed in the toll passages.
The majority of the concession companies accept the tag; however, some are not yet equipped :
- Túnel del Sòller (Palma de Mallorca)
- Aucalsa (www.aucalsa.com)
- Autoestradas de Galicia (www.autoestradas.com)
- Audenasa (www.audenasa.es ; acceptation prévue au 1er semestre 2008)
On your way, make the right choice !
There are two types of lanes which accept ETC in Spain; they are marked by :
For the lanes dedicated exclusively to ETC, the vehicle does not need to come to a standstill and can go through the toll at 30km/h.
For mixed lanes, which accept ETC but also other types of payment (cards, cash), the vehicle must come to a standstill.