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The Federation suggests adopting tolls with variable rates on highways, as is already the case in countries such as Japan and the United States. The model would encourage traffic outside of peak hours and bring improvements to infrastructure.
Imagine paying a cheaper toll at off-peak times and saving on your trip by simply adjusting your route throughout the day.
This reality, already present in some parts of the world, may be increasingly close to Brazilian highways.
In a recent document, the Federation of Industries of Santa Catarina (Fiesc) proposed an idea that promises to revolutionize the concession system and directly impact the daily lives of drivers.
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This idea involves charging tolls with variable rates depending on the time of day. Will this measure really help reduce traffic and costs for users?
New proposal for tolls in Santa Catarina
In search of improvements for the federal highways of Santa Catarina, Fiesc sent a document to the Ministry of Transport and the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) suggesting the implementation of variable tolls on BRs 101 Norte and 116.
The variable toll proposal aims to encourage traffic outside of peak hours, reducing overload during busy times and promoting greater fluidity on the roads.
According to Fiesc, the practice can dilute the flow of vehicles and improve the experience of those traveling on the state's federal highways.
International examples and positive results
The idea is not new and has already been tested in countries such as the United States and Japan. In Florida, for example, the Midpoint Memorial Bridge uses a variable toll model.
In Japan, the Bay AquaLine expressway, which includes a bridge and tunnel, also tested dynamic charging.
In both cases, the results were considered positive, encouraging traffic at alternative times and, at the same time, reducing congestion.
These international models inspired Fiesc to propose a similar system for Santa Catarina highways.
The entity believes that, in addition to better distributing traffic, the model can guarantee fairer fares for users who choose to travel at times of lower demand.
Two variable toll models
Fiesc suggests two possible approaches for charging variable tolls:
Scheduled rate: with previously determined values for specific times, allowing drivers to plan their trips according to price variations.
Dynamic pricing: which requires more advanced technology and allows constant adjustments in prices, depending on the volume of traffic in real time.
Dynamic pricing, although more complex, allows for greater flexibility and adjusts the cost of the trip according to the flow of vehicles.
According to Fiesc, this modality would help to avoid queues and congestion even more effectively, since the toll price would fluctuate at short intervals.
Works and improvements planned for BRs 101 and 116
In addition to the new toll model, Fiesc also proposed a series of works to modernize and improve the infrastructure of the highways in question.
Among the suggested improvements are the increased use of monitoring technologies, the implementation of the “free-flow” toll system (without the need to stop to pay) and the adaptation of roads to different weather conditions.
On BR-101, for example, one of the planned works involves the construction of a viaduct in Joinville, in the Expoville region, which promises to alleviate local traffic.
These improvements aim to transform Santa Catarina's highways into safer, more modern roads prepared for heavy traffic, in addition to ensuring that travel conditions meet the needs of drivers.
Technology for efficient tolling
For the variable toll model to work, an investment in technology will be necessary.
Dynamic pricing, in particular, requires the installation of advanced monitoring systems, capable of evaluating the flow of vehicles in real time and automatically adjusting the toll value.
According to Fiesc, the use of these technologies in Brazilian concessions would be an important step towards modernizing highways, aligning the country with the most efficient and modern traffic management practices.
Impact on drivers' pockets and traffic
Fiesc's proposal promises to directly benefit those willing to adjust their travel schedule to save on tolls.
Drivers will be able to decide between cheaper schedules, contributing to a more balanced distribution of traffic.
This policy, advocates say, will allow highways to operate more efficiently, avoiding the stress of congestion and encouraging a more constant flow of traffic.
On the other hand, the proposed model requires drivers to adapt to a more flexible charging system, which may generate some initial resistance.
The variation in prices, depending on the time, represents a new travel mentality that still needs to be accepted by the Brazilian public.
Next steps and analysis by the Ministry of Transport
At the moment, the Ministry of Transport and ANTT are analyzing the document presented by Fiesc.
The decision on adopting this variable toll model still depends on approvals and legal adjustments.
If implemented, the system could redefine the way highway concessions operate in Brazil, offering an alternative that, according to Fiesc, could benefit both drivers and concession companies.
Will variable toll rates become a reality on Brazilian roads? Would you be willing to adjust your travel time to save on tolls?
In Brazil, they would increase it for peak times and leave the current value for calm times.
Brazil is a fifth world country and you want to be equal to first world countries only in terms of political robbery and scoundrels.
The ones who will like it are the criminals who will have more movement in the early hours of the morning, since the toll price will certainly be cheaper.
In short, if the user gets stuck in traffic, he pays more.
Convenient for the dealership. They will use rush hour to make repairs, close unnecessary lanes, and do everything possible to make your journey as long as possible to earn more.
This is nothing new in the 60s, on the state roads of São Paulo, tolls were cheaper in the period from midnight to six in the morning, it should go back
This caused many accidents. Drivers would speed up to take advantage of the last moments of low fares. They would also park on the side of the road just before midnight, or slow down to the extreme to get the cheapest fare. Worse still were the arguments over whether one car paid more or less than the other.