motorways in the republic of croatia

at the service of road users

Hrvatske autoceste d.o.o. Zagreb, 2006

Croatia In The European Transport Network

Croatia extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Croatian mainland covers 56,542 km2, populated with 4,437,460 inhabitants. Through Croatia the routes from the West and Central Europe lead towards the countries of the Southeast Europe and Middle East and to the countries of the Central Danube basin and their hinterland all the way to the Adriatic seaports. The development plans of the Republic of Croatia are being complied with the international documents, which define the development of the European road network. The main Pan-European corridors that intersect Croatia are as follows: CORRIDOR V: - Branch B: Rijeka - Zagreb - Budapest, - Branch C: Plo~e - Sarajevo - Osijek - Budapest, CORRIDOR X: - Main corridor: Munich - Salzburg - Ljubljana - Zagreb - Belgrade - Skopje Thessalonike / Athens with the branch Ni{ Sofija / Istambul, and branch A: Graz - Maribor - Zagreb. These European corridors are fully compliant with the main Croatian longitudinal and transversal transport routes. Should the Adriatic corridor stretching along the coast on the route connecting North Italy with Greece be joined to them, the mainstay of the entire transport network would be defined. Pan-European road corridors (Helsinki, 1997)
Xd VIII IV V Vb X X Xa Vb VII Xb IV IV Va IXa III II VI III I VI IXb IXb IXb I I IX

II IX

V IX VII

X Xc

VIII

The Croatias littoral areas are separated from Pannonia and the Danube basin by the Dinaric Alps, which extend along the Adriatic coast in a northwest-southeast direction. This mountain barrier has represented a great challenge for road builders ever since ancient times. The importance of connecting the northern plains with the coast lies in the fact that the largest part of the gross domestic product is realised in the Pannonian region and a somewhat lesser part in the littoral region whereas the mountainous areas are the least developed.
FINLAND

norway ESTONIA

SWEDEN LATVIA RUSSIA

North Sea

DENMARK

Baltic Sea RUSSIA

LITHUANIA

ireland united kingdom POLAND NETHERLANDS GERMany CZECH REPUBLIC SLOVAKIA

BELARUS

BELGIUM

UKRAINE

LUXEMBOURG

MOLDOVA

AUSTRIA FRANCE SWITZERLAND SLOVENIA CROATIA

HUNGARY ROMANIA Black Sea SERBIA BULGARIA

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA ITALY

MONTENEGRO Adriatic Sea F.Y.R.O.M. ALBANIA

PORTUGAL SPAIN Tyrrhenian Sea GREECE Ionian Sea Aegean Sea

turkey

Mediterranean Sea

Geotraffic position of Croatia in the European inland and maritime transport routes

MANAGEMENT OF THE MOTORWAY SYSTEM

The construction of the road network has been largely defined by the political circumstances most of all by the Croatias newly achieved independence in 1991. The transport network completed by the 1990s had been primarily conceived to comply with the priorities of the former state and therefore the routes connecting Croatia with the sources of traffic (northern and western borders) and the coast had been largely neglected. The construction of the motorway network has been recognised as a strategic prerequisite for the development of the country, its economic growth, and linking its territory with the European transport network. Intensive preparation for the construction of new roads started immediately upon the proclamation of the countrys independence, however the prerequisites for the intensive construction projects were achieved ten years later. The greatest Croatian development project the construction of the motorway network has been very intensive and its completion is foreseen within the next several years. In terms of organisation, financing and construction the success of this project was paramount both at the European and world level. In addition to ensuring the progression of the undertaken works on some sections and structures, in the forthcoming period best efforts shall be used to improve the organisation of routine maintenance and the automation of toll collection as well as to ensure better quality of services along motorways. The management and operation of public roads has been organised based on strategic documents, and the Amendments to the Public Roads Act as well as based on the planning documents (the Public Roads Construction and Maintenance Programme for the 2001 to 2004 period and the Public Roads Construction and Maintenance Programme for the 2005 to 2008 period). The implementation of the road construction and maintenance plan falls under the competence of the Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development. The long-term strategy and medium-term plans are very important to ensure timely preparation of construction, implementation of investigations, development of studies and design documents as well as timely land easement and issuance of all necessary approvals and construction permit. The financing model that has been used for the motorway construction, maintenance and operation was established in 2001, and it was a significant twist in Croatian road construction industry. A that time it was decided that further 450 km of motorway and 81 km of a singlecarriageway shall be completed by 2005. Thus, in the 3-year period a larger number of kilometres were supposed to be built than in the previous three decades. The reason for such decision was that the previous construction schedule was not a guarantee for the desired economic growth. According to the Public Roads Act the construction and maintenance of motorways in Croatia was confined to the company Hrvatske autoceste d.o.o. (HAC). Besides, there is a legal possibility for ceding the motorway construction and operation rights to a concession company. Congruously, some parts of the motorway network are operated by the competent concession companies: Autocesta Rijeka Zagreb d.d. (ARZ) Autocesta Zagreb Macelj d.o.o. (AZM) Bina Istra d.d. (BI)

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hrvatske autoceste d.o.o.

The company Hrvatske autoceste a limited liability company for operation, construction and maintenance of motorways was constituted as a state-owned limited liability company. It was established in April 2001, by splitting a single road administration. The company makes use of its own funds and is responsible for implementing the motorway management policy. The companys sources of income include: dedicated fuel tax toll revenue charges for the use of roadside land and from utility services long-term loans. Such financing model allowed the company to take loans from foreign banks and to base its debt servicing on its annual income. The companys financing model has covered the period by the year 2030 when the last loan instalment shall be repaid. The model shows that the loan funds used for the realisation of the 2001 to 2004 Programme and those foreseen for the next four-year Motorways Construction and Maintenance Plan will be repaid from the companys own sources.

In the first few years upon the companys establishment, its business activities consisted in the construction of new sections according to the ambitious Government-approved plans. Today the companys business goals are more oriented towards the management of motorways in view of the road users needs.

The construction plan for the 2006 to 2008 period foresees the construction of further 209 km of motorways:
2006 2007 2008 A4 A3 A1 A5 A11 A1 A5 A11 Gori~an link with Hungary upanja Lipovac Dugopolje - [estanovac Sredanci \akovo Zagreb Velika Gorica [estanovac Plo~e 1 \akovo - Osijek Velika Gorica Lekenik 1 29 37 23 8 59 32 20

autocesta rijeka - zagreb d.d.

The 100% state-owned public limited company Autocesta Rijeka - Zagreb d.d. was established in 1997. The companys income consists in the toll revenue and the charges for the roadside service facilities on the Rijeka Zagreb motorway route. The company was awarded a 28-year concession with the purpose of closing the financial, construction, management and operation structure for the Rijeka to Zagreb route and its structures and roadside facilities built on the road land. The total length of the route operated by the subject company is 146.5 km. The company took over 87 km of already completed motorway which was partly built as a single carriageway while the remaining length that had to be constructed included 60 km between Kupjak and Karlovac. In the first few years upon the companys establishment, financing of the works on the Kupjak Vrbovsko section largely drew on the state budget and the loans obtained from the local and foreign business banks. Later on, with the approaching EU-accession of the Republic of Croatia further construction was financed out of the loans obtained from the European Development Banks. The debt servicing is being made out of the toll revenue. In June 2004 the first phase of construction of Rijeka to Zagreb motorway was completed which included 60 km of motorway and single-carriageway from Kupjak to Karlovac. From that time on, the entire length of 146.5 km out of which 91 km built as a full-scale motorway has been in traffic. The second phase of construction comprises widening of the single carriageway to the full-scale motorway. The works on this project started in 2005 and the completion is scheduled for 2008.

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bina istra d.d.

BINA ISTRA d.d. is a public limited company established in 1995 with the purpose of financing, construction and operation of motorways within Istrian Y motorway. The concession agreement was signed in 1995 in Paris for the 32-year period. The subject of concession is financing, construction and operation of the 145 km of motorway on the sections from Umag to Pula (80 km) and Kanfanar - Pazin - Matulji (65 km). The first phase includes the construction of a single carriageway and a part of works associated with the second phase. By the end of 2005, 130.6 km of road was opened to traffic. The shareholders structure is as follows: 51 % 44 % 3% 2 % - Bouygues (France) - Hrvatske autoceste d.o.o. (Croatia) - INA Oil Industry (Croatia) - Istarska autocesta d.d. (Croatia) The company took over the operation of the previously completed section between Rogovi}i and Matulji along with the U~ka tunnel. The 37 km-long section between Rogovi}i and Vodnjan was completed in December 1999. The 42 kmlong single carriageway between Medaki and Umag was opened to traffic in spring 2005, while the completion of the Vodnjan Pula section is scheduled for 2006. The construction of the full-scale motorway will be undertaken when the average annual daily traffic on the single carriageway reaches the number of 10,000 vehicles and the average summer daily traffic reaches the number of 16,000 vehicles. Croatia provides annual financial support till 2017. The annual amount of this support is determined with regard to the needed financing for loan repayment and for keeping the required maintenance standard as well as to ensure the payment of the guaranteed profit by 2009.

The BINA ISTRA shareholders ensure funds for the construction, operation and maintenance of the motorway and the Republic of

AUTOCESTA ZAGREB - MACELJ d.o.o

Autocesta Zagreb Macelj d.o.o. is a limited liability company which was established in March 2003 when it was ceded the concession for construction, economic use and maintenance of the 60 kmlong motorway. The shareholders structure is as follows: 51% of shares is held by Pyhrn Concession Holding GmbH (entirely owned by Austrian Strabag) and 49% of shares are held by the Republic of Croatia. The fundamental obligation of this concession company is to ensure financing for construction without sovereign guarantee, to construct and subsequently operate and maintain the motorway over the 28-year period. The period of the concession started in mid-2004. The obligations of the Republic of Croatia towards the concession company are as follows: - to cede the completed sections to the concessionnaire without compensation - to develop final design for new sections - to acquire land and to relocate utility infrastructure on the new route - to provide guarantee for the minimum traffic volume Before the concession was ceded 8.4 km of single-carriageway had been completed as well as 33.3 km of motorway. For the full completion of the motorway further 15.65 km of motorway and 10.1 km of singlecarriageway remains to be finished. The opening to traffic of the whole motorway is scheduled for spring 2007. With the purpose of closing the financial structure and reducing the costs of construction the most complex section (3.75 km long) will be built as a single-carriageway. With the same purpose the Republic of Croatia will support the project with a financial aid whose amount equals the amount of the VAT paid on the toll revenue.

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The companies operating the motorways are organised in a professional association Croatian Association of Toll Motorways Concessionaires (HUKA) whose purpose is to protect and promote the interests of companies that were ceded the concession for construction, operation and maintenance of motorways in the Republic of Croatia and to foster cooperation with national and international organisations and associations interested in dealing with motorways in the concession system. HUKA was founded in late 2003 and its members include Hrvatske autoceste d.o.o., Autocesta Rijeka-Zagreb d.d., BINA-ISTRA d.d. and Autocesta Zagreb-Macelj d.o.o. The Association has three standing committees: Technical Committee for Toll, Technical Committee for Traffic and the Committe for Financing. HUKA is a member of the European Professional Association of Tolled Motorway Companies - ASECAP.

Outline of the motorway operation scheme in Croatia distribution among different companies
HRVATSKE AUTOCESTE d.o.o. AC RIJEKA - ZAGREB d.d. AC ZAGREB - MACELJ d.o.o. BINA - ISTRA d.d.

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Republic of Croatia motorway network - foreseen completion of construction

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toll collection
In the Republic of Croatia toll is charged in proportion to the length of the travelled section and the appertaining vehicle category. On motorways with several entrances and exits the closed toll collection system is in use. At the entrance the road user is given a toll ticket based on which the toll fee is charged at the exit. In the closed toll systems, the toll tariff for the first vehicle category (passenger cars) amounts to HRK 0.40 per motorway kilometre and it shall be raised to 1:3.3 for the fourth vehicle category (heavy vehicles). On road structures (bridges, tunnels) and on shorter motorway sections open toll collection system is in use within which a toll plaza functions as both entry and exit toll plaza and the toll collection is performed immediately. Toll may be paid in any of the following ways: by cash in local or foreign currency, by credit cards, subscription tickets, or smart cards. In order to accelerate the flow of vehicles through toll plazas, payment transactions at toll points shall also be made quicker. With the use of non-cash payment the time of transactions will be made shorter as there will be no more return of petty cash. Therefore, payment with smart card has been introduced on all toll plazas as well as the contactless toll collection, or specifically entry and exit lanes for electronic toll collection through which vehicles equipped with on board units may pass without stopping. With upgrading of the toll collection system, introduction of the contactless smart card which is already in use and the forthcoming implementation of the ETC system (practically without stopping) all necessary prerequisites for eliminating the toll plazas congestions will be fulfilled. The new toll collection system is entirely integrated and it comprises the financial control, traffic count and video surveillance which permits monitoring the operation and functioning of the entire system at any toll collection point at all times from the main centre situated at the companys main office.

traffic control and management

The intensive construction of modern motorways across the entire territory of the Republic of Croatia is concurrent with the construction of communication and information system for traffic control and management on those routes. Motorway as a traffic system requires permanent supervision and management as well as providing information to the motorists, which will ensure road safety in the event of incidents, peak traffic volumes or maintenance activities. For this reason, a complex infrastructure system consisting of various technologies commonly known as Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is being built along the motorways. In addition to improving road safety this equipment contributes to decreased pollution levels, to time saving and increased mobility. Further reasons for introduction of traffic supervision and management system arise from the specific characteristics of the network such as inclement weather conditions (snow and wind impact on some sections) and quite a few longer tunnels. Therefore, for regular functioning of traffic on motorways, it is essential to establish systems for exchange of information i.e. information and communication systems which are divided in two groups: 1. Information system of motorways including traffic information system, remote traffic management system (used only in tunnels), video surveillance system, video-detection and toll system. 2. Motorway communication system, which includes telephone system, public-address system and broadcasting system in tunnels. The devices of traffic information system are placed immediately by the motorway and they include: video detection stations, weather stations, variable traffic signs (light and electro-mechanical), traffic lights and road marking. In remote traffic management system the final devices such as ventilation, fire alarm, lighting, electric supply and measuring systems are connected with the remote stations. Video surveillance system includes CCTV cameras, which are placed along the motorway and the operating part of the system that is placed in the maintenance and traffic control centre. Video detection system is used for counting vehicles, determining the driving speed and detection of traffic incidents. Communication system for SOS telecommunications is placed by the motorway and is used by motorists in case of emergency (to call for help from fire-fighting units, ambulance etc). The SOS telephone exchange is located within the traffic control centre. Broadcasting system in the tunnel is used to establish radio connection between two or more radio stations inside the tunnel with the outside radio stations and for transmission of one or more radio programmes and to provide information to users who listen to that programme inside the tunnel. Broadcasting system is installed in tunnels longer than 1,000m. The purpose of public-address system is to provide necessary information or instructions to users who got stuck in the tunnel owing to a traffic incident. The information transfer technology and development of user applications permit the integration of information and communication systems as well as the central control by the companys management. Furthermore, to be able to get the whole picture on traffic conditions in the Republic of Croatia a main traffic control centre shall be established at the highest level of the basic network. The planned centre in Lu~ko near Zagreb will receive summarised information from regional centres and enable their broadcasting. This centre will also unite the functions of all entities involved in the traffic system, all concessionaires, police force, emergency service and Croatian Automobile Club (HAK). It will also permit the introduction of new services for the motorway users primarily through Internet service, some of which are currently under way such as: - - - - - Call centre, Fleet management, Information before/during the trip, Escort vehicles, Planning trips.

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The use of roadside land for the construction of roadside service facilities and performing the appertaining services will be awarded through public tendering to the best tenderer for the period of 25 years for which the tenderer is obligated to pay the legally stipulated charges for the use of such land and for performing such services. An important aspect of riding comfort on motorways is attributed to the quality of roadside service facilities (RSF), which supply the road users with fuel, refreshments, and meals and they provide the needed rest. Considering the closed system of travelling on Croatias motorways, heavy traffic flows, greater speed and distances in different types of travels, having rest during travel is getting increasingly important from the aspect of road safety. Modern roadside service facilities also provide tourist information to their visitors as well as banking and Internet services and they have facilities adjusted to disabled persons and children. Increasing attention is being paid to the design of facilities and landscaping, and to their visual compliance with the environment. This shall be obtained by architectural and landscaping design in order to achieve as attractive visual identity possible of the facility intended for the rest and comfort of motorists and travellers. Such locations are thus gaining tourist significance and they are no longer the areas where travellers stop to have a meal and rest but to enjoy and spend some quality time. Achieving high standards and regulations appertaining to construction and architectural design of roadside service facilities, their variety and the level of service is the main guideline in planning, construction and management of such facilities.

environmental aspects
A modern road network is one of the main prerequisites for the sustainable economic development. Undisputable positive effects of the motorway construction arise from simpler and more comfortable travel between countries and regions. However, in addition to positive we shall also mention some negative impacts on the life and health of people in the motorway area. The community is paying increasing attention to the importance of environmental aspects since the construction of a motorway may drastically affect the landscape and disrupt the natural balance between the animal and plant life. In all segments of their activities the motorway operating companies supported by the state directorates are tackling these issues trying to mobilise all the available scientific resources in Croatia. According to the relevant legislation, environmental protection measures have been implemented from the preliminary design stages. The analysis of the corridor of the planned route is being carried out in accordance with the Zoning Technical Study, which precedes the Zoning Plan. After that the development of the preliminary study for the corridor of the planned route is undertaken based on which environmental impact study is developed. Environmental Impact Study Assessment procedure follows in which the acceptability of the project is evaluated and environmental protection measures are defined as well as the monitoring programme. These measures are prescribed in the course of the project preparation, during the works and use of motorway and they are implemented thoroughly in cooperation with all competent institutions with the greatest regard to the needs of local communities.

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Environmental protection measures include the following: - Protection of cultural heritage i.e. archaeological sites; - Geology and speleology; - Drainage system; - - - - Noise protection; Protection against wind impact; Permitting natural migrations of game over the motorway area; Landscaping of the motorway belt, slope protection of cuts and embankments.

motorway and archaeology

Among the measures that are implemented before the works we shall point to the protection of cultural heritage i.e. archaeological sites. Prior to the very beginning of civil engineering works the experts inspect the route and carry out systematic archaeological investigations as well as documenting and site preservation. During the works they ensure archaeological supervision over earthworks to avoid endangering unknown archaeological sites. On newly discovered sites safety archaeological excavations and investigations are carried out. The motorway operators have invested large funds into research of sites that would otherwise be long due. For instance, owing to the valuable archaeological find at the Peli~eti estate in the vicinity of Pula, Bina Istra has relocated the planned overpass outside the area of the Roman country house and the with the soil preparation the largest possible area of the future archaeological park along the future motorway will be protected.

geology and speleology

In addition to the historic sites, there are some natural phenomena that were discovered and researched during the motorway construction. During motorway construction in the karst region more than 810 caverns i.e. speleological formations without natural entrance have been discovered over the last fifteen years. The research has been systematically conducted on all motorway sections; in cuts, tunnels, in the foundations of bridges, viaducts etc. These sites are located on the Zagreb-Rijeka and Zagreb-Split motorways as well as on the Istrian highway, Rijeka-Rupa motorway and on the Rijeka town bypass. The longest cave is the cavern in Sveti Rok tunnel in which 1,137 metres of channels with the 147 metres altitude have been speleologically investigated and surveyed.

protection against wind impact

Some motorway sections pass through the area affected by strong winds among which we shall mention the north-eastern bura wind whose intensity and gusts contribute to the severe traffic disturbance. This problem is especially evident on locations where the roadway is laid on viaducts since the wind intensity gets heavier at greater altitudes. The measuring of the wind direction and velocity has shown that on some locations e.g. on the Sveti Rok Posedarje section the wind velocity can reach 250 km/h. The angle of wind impact on vehicles is usually very steep which makes difficult the construction of efficient barriers. Extensive research is conducted for the purposes of designing efficient and economic barriers such as the implementation the windbreak field trial in the vicinity of the Maslenica Bridge (A1). A windbreak field trial has been also conducted on the section from the Sveti Rok tunnel to Posedarje. The results of research will show the extent of time for which the closing of some motorway section or bridge may be reduced (or even undisturbed traffic flow may be ensured) and how much the road safety may be increased under the strong wind impact.

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PUBLISHER Hrvatske autoceste d.o.o. FOR THE PUBLISHER Mario Crnjak Josip Sapunar Milivoj Mikuli} EDITORIAL BOARD Josip Sapunar Mario Crnjak Milivoj Mikuli} Goran Pu Vesna ^lekovi} Darija Petrovi} AUTHORS Josip Sapunar Milivoj Mikuli} Mario Crnjak Goran Pu DOCUMENTATION CONCERNING THE MOTORWAYS Darija Petrovi} TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH Paula Borkovi} SUBEDITING AND PROOF-READING Paula Borkovi} PHOTOGRAPHS Damir Fabijani} Archive Hrvatske autoceste d.o.o. (str 8) Valter Stoj{i} (str 9) Archive Bina Istra d.d. (str 10) Archive Telefon-gradnja d.o.o. (str 16) GRAPHIC DESIGN Studio Ra{i} Ante Ra{i} Marko Ra{i} Vedrana Vrabec PREPRESS AND PRINTING Studio Ra{i} 3-D COVER IMAGE Fotosoft Printed in 1000 copies ISBN: 953-99875-5-5 Copyright HAC Printed in Croatia, 2006.

CIP - Katalogizacija u publikaciji Nacionalna i sveu~ilina knjinica - Zagreb UDK 625.711.1(497.5) 338.47(497.5):656.1 656.11(497.5) MOTORWAYS in the Republic of Croatia at the service of road users / <authors Josip Sapunar ... <et al.> ; translation into English Paula Borkovi}; photographs Dami Fabijani} .... et al.>. - Zagreb : Hrvatske autoceste, 2006. Izv. stv. nasl.: Autoceste u Republici Hrvatskoj u slu`bi korisnika. ISBN 953-99875-5-5 1. Sapunar, Josip I. Autoceste -- Hrvatska 460504122