Instead of traditional booths, the A79 uses equipped with high-resolution infrared cameras and sensors.
: Sensors determine the vehicle category (car, motorcycle, or heavy truck) based on size and number of axles to calculate the correct fee. Payment Methods and the "72-Hour Rule" Free-Flow Tolling in France: A Quick Guide 2022---The-motorway-without-toll-barriers-arrives-in-France
In , the A79 motorway officially opened in the Allier department of central France. Stretching 88 kilometers between Montmarault and Digoin , it was the first full motorway in France to debut this technology. Instead of traditional booths, the A79 uses equipped
The arrival of the first barrier-free motorway in France, the , in November 2022 marked a pivotal shift in the country's transport infrastructure . Known as "flux libre" (free-flow), this system replaced traditional physical toll booths with high-tech overhead gantries, allowing vehicles to maintain cruising speeds without stopping to pay. The Launch: The A79 "La Bourbonnaise" Stretching 88 kilometers between Montmarault and Digoin ,
: By eliminating the "stop-and-go" at toll barriers, the system significantly reduces CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. For instance, a heavy goods vehicle saves nearly two liters of fuel by not having to restart at a toll gate. How the "Flux Libre" System Works
: The project involved transforming the old Route Nationale 79, once known as the "road of death" due to high accident rates, into a modern, secure dual-carriageway.
: As a vehicle passes under a gantry, the system automatically reads its license plate or detects an electronic toll badge (télépéage).