LEAVING EQUIPPED IS GOOD, INFORMED IS BETTER
In the event of snow or special bad weather situations, Strada dei Parchi recommends traveling on the A24 and A25 highways only after being informed about the actual current weather situations and the actual traffic conditions on the highway. Please note that from November 15 to April 15, winter tires or chains are mandatory on the A24 (from Tivoli to Teramo) and A25 highways.
The M+S acronym, Mud & Snow, along with the variants M&S, M-S, MS, M/S, identifies tires designed to travel in mud and snow on the road surface. It is the only abbreviation imposed by the Highway Code for traveling in the winter period. Any tire with the M+S symbol can therefore circulate in Italy without problems, even in the coldest periods. In 1999, the new symbol of a snowflake inside a three-pointed mountain was introduced. It identifies thermal or winter tires, with compound and tread designed to ensure braking and grip even in extreme conditions, snow or ice and temperatures below 7°. Not all 4-season tires display this symbol, which is advisable as an indication of high reliability and tread life, but not mandatory by the CDS.
For real-time information on traffic and road conditions and weather, it is recommended to consult our website www.stradadeiparchi.it and Strada dei Parchi’s dedicated traffic profile X, with 24-hour real-time updates, listen to CCISS and Isoradio news and RTL102.5 or other dedicated broadcasters, or call the traffic call center at 803.111, a free service operating daily.
SNOW PLAN.
For winter operations, Strada dei Parchi has a team of about 500 people and more than 200 vehicles. During the winter period, all of Strada dei Parchi’s vehicles, both in preventive and imminent intervention cases, are always available and ready to operate to make roads safe and free from snow, ice or killer rain. Among the most frequently used vehicles are spreaders and waterers that take turns along the routes in both directions. The number of vehicles deployed is proportionate to the effort required by the intensity of the snowfall and according to the warning code.
The Snow Plan, shared with the Traffic Police Service, Prefectures and local governments, includes 14 Snow Posts located at strategic points on the more than 280 km of highway network. These are equipped with a variety of operational means and stocks of saline fluxes, including about 8,000 tons of sodium chloride, 600 tons of rock salt in silos, and 500 tons of calcium chloride in solution. In particular, on the section between L’Aquila Ovest and Tornimparte, Firestorm, a mobile tanker for the preparation and distribution of calcium chloride solutions at 60°C, is in operation, which is essential for handling the most demanding conditions on the route. With these resources and the new Supra 4002 turbo cutter, which provides precise and rapid snow clearing with throw distances of up to 35 meters and a low-emission drive system, Strada dei Parchi is committed to keeping the highways safe and passable even in the most severe winter conditions.
DYNAMIC TRUCK FILTER
In case of ongoing snowfall of medium or high intensity, dynamic filtering operations of heavy vehicles with a mass of more than 7.5 tons will be activated, with the selection of traffic at the so-called “filter” points on the freeway and at the entrance at the stations of the A24 and A25 freeways. The traffic regulation notice will be visible on variable message signs both on the way and at the affected highway entrances.
This is a measure that was shared in 2005 with the Ministry of the Interior, the Associations of Motor Carriers, Confindustria, Confcommercio, AISCAT on behalf of the Motorway Concessionaires, ANAS and with the coordination of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Motorway Concessionaires. The aim of this measure is to prevent vehicles of greater weight and bulk from entering the highway, to avert the risk of roadway entrapments, resulting in traffic gridlock.
Recall, however, that:
- Collection operators at inbound stations are not public officials and cannot select incoming traffic at highway toll booths; therefore, in case of activation of traffic selection procedures, it is necessary to wait for a Public Safety Officer to intervene on the spot;
- During heavy snowfall, it can be difficult for Officers to reach the tollbooth using the ordinary, off-highway roadway, which is not always clean and passable. In addition, particularly in mountainous locations, operations related to small local emergencies may delay the arrival of Officers at toll booths.
- While waiting, the bars at the toll booths must remain down and queues may be generated at the entrance. In such cases we recommend our Customers to wait patiently in the queue without getting out of the vehicle. This is an indispensable measure for everyone’s traffic safety that allows us to keep the highways constantly open and passable without exposing ourselves to the risk of traffic blocks.
ADVICE TO TRAVELERS
Drivers are advised to exercise caution and travelers are urged to take special precautionary measures:
- get on the road with winter equipment, thermal tires or chains on board, compulsory from Nov. 15 to April 15 on A24 between the Tivoli and Teramo Est interchanges/connection SS80, and on A25 between the Torano Directional Interchange and the Interconnection Interchange with the A14 Highway;
- in case of bad weather forecast, always leave with a full tank of fuel;
- it is good practice to carry comfort items, beverages or food while traveling, especially on long distances, in case you are forced to stop because of snow or frost;
- be careful not to get in the way of snowplows and rescue vehicles and to keep lights on at all times;
- Avoid sharp maneuvers and sudden swerves;
- Avoiding reckless overtaking;
- while driving, accelerate gently and increase the safety distance from the vehicle in front;
- Remember that when going uphill it is essential to proceed without ever stopping. Once stopped, it is difficult to start again, and forcing the car to stop can impede the passage of other vehicles;
- To reduce speed, it is better to downshift than to brake;
- Always occupy the rightmost free lane.
Following these tips, informing yourself before you leave, and knowing the traffic rules well can help you avoid unforeseen incidents and surprises. Happy travels to all!
