Summer exodus, 16 million vehicles expected on motorways in two hottest weekends

As summer reaches its peak, Italian motorways are bracing for one of the busiest periods of the year, with an estimated 16 million vehicles expected to travel over two of the hottest weekends. According to Autostrade per l'Italia, the two most intense weekends, August 1–2 and August 7–9—will see heavy traffic along the company's approximately 3,000 kilometers of managed highways. The increased movement will begin early Saturday morning, August 1, as many drivers head toward vacation destinations. Traditional routes such as the A1 Milan-Naples and the A14 Bologna-Taranto are anticipated to experience the heaviest flows. The latter half of August will bring the return trip, known as the "controesodo," with more traffic heading back to major urban centers during the weekends. This period will likely see sustained congestion on Saturdays and Sundays. To mitigate potential disruptions, Autostrade per l'Italia has implemented a special plan to manage traffic effectively. A key measure involves suspending the most disruptive roadworks on heavily used sections during the peak travel days. These works are expected to resume by mid-September after the return trips have concluded. In addition to halting construction, the company plans to increase operational presence along the highway network. More personnel and equipment will be deployed to respond quickly to incidents, vehicle breakdowns, or other emergencies. Mechanical and medical assistance services will also be enhanced. Technology plays a crucial role in managing the network through the Control Room in Rome, which monitors traffic, infrastructure, and systems in real time. This facility, developed by Movyon, continuously collects data from the entire highway system and coordinates responses to critical situations, including weather-related issues. Over the past year alone, this system processed more than 3.5 billion pieces of data. The 24/7 Operational Traffic Center handled around 400,000 events related to traffic, disseminating updates through various communication channels. Nearly 5,000 cameras are in operation, with about 3,000 installed in tunnels, over 900 sensors tracking traffic flow, and around 400 weather stations. This comprehensive monitoring system allows for continuous tracking of traffic conditions and swift intervention when problems arise. Safety-focused initiatives will also be reintroduced this year. In collaboration with the State Police and other agencies, mobile medical and veterinary units will be stationed at certain service areas along the main routes of both the outbound and return journeys. These include Teano West and Casilina East on the A1, and La Pioppa West and Sillaro East on the A14. Travelers can receive assistance and information on safe travel practices at these locations. Before embarking on their journey, drivers are advised to check real-time traffic conditions using the app or website of Autostrade per l'Italia, or by calling the unified number 803.111. Planning departure times, inspecting vehicles, avoiding peak congestion hours, and taking regular breaks during the trip are recommended to ensure safer travel during the summer exodus.