PNIPU: Procedure for calculating the cost of travel on toll roads

Main article: Toll roads in Russia

2025: Presentation of the methodology for calculating the cost of travel on toll roads

Scientists of the Perm Polytechnic University have developed a methodology for calculating the cost of travel on toll roads, which takes into account the solvency of the population, the length of the path, the cost of using a car, and more. Based on it, we created a program that allows you to quickly and easily calculate the price using the proposed method. The university announced this on April 7, 2025.

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Фото: PNIPU

Toll roads are not just additional expenses for the driver, but an investment in a comfortable and safe trip: there are fewer congestion, pits, lighting and video surveillance systems are installed, timely repairs and maintenance are carried out. Money from the payment of such routes goes not only to maintain comfortable conditions, but also to the construction of new roads and the reconstruction of old ones - both paid and alternative. This reduces the burden on the state budget and accelerates the development of the transport infrastructure of a modern city. Since the opening of the M-11 Neva highway, which connects Moscow and St. Petersburg, auto tourism between cities has grown almost fivefold, and high-speed sections on the M-4 Don highway allow you to reduce travel time by 2 hours.

Fares can vary considerably by region and method of calculation. Most of the toll roads in Russia are owned by the state, and it is it that sets the rules for calculating the price. However, some roads are owned by private companies, which can themselves determine the specific cost and introduce benefits.

The fare of private companies should not exceed the established values ​ ​ in Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 257 of February 18, 2023. This document shows only the maximum possible prices, not the exact cost. To establish a fair fee that would be beneficial for both drivers and the state (or the owner of a private road), you need to take into account various factors: time and fuel savings, public solvency, car costs.

Scientists at the Perm Polytechnic University have developed the Traffic of Toll Road computer program, which automates developed methods for determining the cost of travel.

The user needs to select the route along which the movement will be carried out, and the category of the vehicle is a passenger car, a medium car (with a trailer), a truck or a bus. Then you need to specify the distance in kilometers. After entering the initial data, the program will automatically calculate and display the fare in rubles, - said Vladislav Bryzgalov, senior lecturer at the Department of Roads and Bridges at PNIPU.

"Traffic of Toll Road" uses a methodology for calculating tariffs, which was previously developed by the polytechnics themselves based on the category of the vehicle.

For example, for cars, the cost depends on the average income of the population, the share of transport costs and the length of toll roads, and for trucks and buses, the calculation includes the cost of operation, average speed, mileage factors, - explained Albert Burgonutdinov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of the Department "Roads and Bridges" PNIPU, Doctor of Technical Sciences.

According to this calculation method, for a car, the fare will be 4 rubles per kilometer (along the Don M-4 highway, which connects Moscow and the South of Russia), and for trucks of category III - 8 rubles. For comparison: the maximum cost set by the state for the same categories is 5 and 9 rubles, respectively.

The received tariff values ​ ​ do not exceed the maximum permissible values ​ ​ presented in the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of February 18, 2023 No. 257, which means they meet the requirements. Thanks to the methods considered, it is possible to provide flexible tariff regulation, for example, during periods of increased demand in busy areas, - said Marina Karpushko, Associate Professor of the Department of Highways and Bridges, PNIPU, Candidate of Technical Sciences.