Safety and comfort

The A22 is surfaced in special low-noise asphalt (DFAS). This combination of materials has been created to ensure greater safety and comfort on the motorway even during bad weather conditions. The only exceptions are tunnels, bridges and viaducts (extending over a total length of approximately 15 miles) which have been covered in an anti-skid surface for winter operations on the motorway.

The fog system extends over approximately 65 miles along the most southerly section of the A22 (from Affi to Modena). It comprises LED guide lights and sensors to detect levels of fog. If visibility is restricted, the relevant section of the system is automatically activated. The lights may burn continuously, flash or form a light trail in accordance with the speed limit stipulated. The system is connected with the User Service Centre (C.A.U.) and divided into 23 independent modules. Each section is fitted with its own light sensor and fog sensor (33 in total).

Signage: in order to guarantee a perfect view of signage both by day and by night, the company uses only “Diamond Grade”, a high-quality patented fluorescent film.

Road markings: materials used for road markings are solvent paints, thermo-sprayed plastics and

elastoplastic laminates. The company ensures the performance standards of materials deployed by carrying out regular investigations. These involve specialist laboratories and the company’s own testing equipment.

Direct communication with motorway users via the control centre or the automated systems located along the motorway section is vitally important for ensuring drivers contribute to the highest level of road safety and the regular flow of traffic on the motorway, both in times of an accident and during normal traffic flows. This direct “dialogue” must be very reliable, easily legible and available at critical points along the motorway section so that it reaches as many motorway users as possible in a simple and effective manner. The use of variable message signs meets these requirements as they are constructed using very reliable technologies, are easily legible and may be installed at precisely those locations where they are most efficient (exits and entrances to toll booths, entrances to tunnels, entry and exit slips to the regional road network, motorway junctions, etc.).
The intention is to use this system to provide motorway users with an information service which supplies messages about the state of the traffic and the roads, for example:

In order to provide motorway users with better information, illuminated signs have been erected at toll booths and free-standing and gantry-based variable message signs (VMS) located at the access roads to the motorway network (prior to the motorway entry slips). Boards will also be used on mobile aids. These consists of two LED illuminated boards with an independent power supply in the form of a power generation unit and/or solar power generator which is able to save and reproduce pictorial and alphanumeric signs both remotely and locally by means of a switch board.
The information received by motorway users must be easily understood and immediately legible and so the extensive deployment of high resolution signs has been chosen for the presentation of symbols. The LED technology and excellent visibility of the Brenner Motorway variable message signs comply with the EN 12966 international standard. A total of 148 signs have been installed along the Brenner motorway to date: 95 message signs and warning signs along the route (tunnels, dynamic lane);  53 signs off the motorway on access roads (motorway entry slips and near toll booths).

The A22 was one of the first concession owners to tackle noise pollution by erecting sound barriers. These barriers are of two types: pre-cast concrete or “artificial barriers” and insulation barriers or barriers with “mesh containers”. The former are characterised by their narrow width and lightness, whereas the latter harmonise better with the natural landscape although requiring more room. Wherever possible, the A22 is moving towards the erection of sound-absorbing noise barriers equipped with photovoltaic panels. (The noise barrier in Marano in the Isera local government area possesses a photovoltaic surface of 4,907m2). Alongside their main function of absorbing sound, such noise barriers are able to convert the sun’s rays into electrical energy.

Emergency call points have been installed along the hard shoulder at intervals of approximately one mile. Three different buttons enable contact to be established with medical services, breakdown services or the fire brigade. Motorway users who break down on the motorway or experience other problems can use every emergency call point to make direct contact with the A22 User Service Centre (C.A.U.).

The Brenner Motorway is about 195 miles long. Around 7 miles of its route run through tunnels, four of which exceed 500 metres in length. A considerable amount of tunnel equipment has been installed: modular lighting distributed across a number of electrical circuits, LED signage, environmental and ventilation monitoring systems, fire alarm systems, CCTV and remote control and surveillance systems. An automatic shut-down system, the result of an important European project, is in operation along the entire length of the Virgolo Tunnel in the Bolzano Province.

In the interests of safety and for the protection of the health and safety of workers employed and temporary and mobile road works sites, the company commissioning such works is responsible for safety (previously governed by Decree 494/96 and now pursuant to Title V of Decree 81/2008). For this reason, the Brenner Motorway Company has set up a special group to deal with the coordination of health and safety and with the drawing up of safety and coordination plans. The aims are to identify risks and conduct works under safe conditions whilst occasioning as little inconvenience as possible for motorway users. In order to achieve this, relevant prevention and health and safety measures need to be instigated and warning and speed limit signage needs to be put in place.

The A22 currently has 3 lorry parks. At kilometre point 1+800 on the Brenner is a park with 44 lorry spaces. Access is possible from both directions, directly via the carriageway from the South and from the North via the turn-off through Brenner (Brennero) itself. It is also possible to rejoin the motorway in both directions: heading SOUTH via an acceleration lane and heading NORTH via the road leading to the “Rio Luco” underpass. At Bolzano South, parking spaces are available for 290 cars, 15 buses, 33 lorries and 9 campers. Campogalliano West has 79 lorry parking spaces across a total area of approximately 20,000 m². A further 28 spaces are available at the entry/exit to the Campogalliano West toll point.  

Winter services to ensure motorway safety are managed from 6 centres (Vipiteno, Bolzano, San Michele, Ala, Verona, Pegognaga). Each of these centres has facilities for the warehousing and storage of grit and is equipped with the relevant vehicles and appliances for winter services. The staff responsible monitor the weather forecast and weather warnings on an ongoing basis.