Traffic information in France

A national centre and devolved organisation

The Centre national d’information routière (National Centre for Traffic Information/CNIR) directs, coordinates and monitors the work of seven regional traffic coordination and information centres (CRICRs).

It ensures that the information issued is consistent and uniform.

It helps to prepare national traffic safety and use operations.

It has authority over the national network of interest and more particularly over the network defined in the framework of the Schéma Directeur d’Information Routière (Traffic Information Master Plan/SDIR) set up in 2000 which identifies with the Réseau Routier National (National Traffic Network) defined by the decree of 5 December 2005.
CNIR - 111, rue Camélinat - 93110 Rosny-sous-Bois

How the centres operate

The Directorate Committee made up of the DGPN, DGGN, and DSCR meets once a year.
 It sets guidelines.
 It rules on how the centres are organised.

The Management Committee is made up of 2 representatives per Directorate and meets 4 times a year.

 It lays down the rules for centre management.
A Collective Management per centre is made up of three Divisions: the Police Division, Gendarmerie Division and Transport Division.

Decisions are made unanimously by the three Division heads.

A permanent Division head

The centres operate under the authority of a permanent head, the position of whom is shared on a weekly rota between the three Division heads.

The CRICRs

The CRICRs have authority over the whole of the region within a Defence zone. They also develop information exchanges with bordering provinces and countries.

CRICR NORD: Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy.

CRICR EST: Alsace, Lorraine, Burgundy, Champagne-Ardenne, Franche-Comté.

CRICR OUEST: Upper and Lower Normandy, Britanny, Loire Valley, Centre.

CRICR SUD-OUEST: Poitou-Charentes, Limousin, Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrénées.

CRICR RHONE-ALPES-AUVERGNE: Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne.

CRICR MEDITERRANEE: Provence-Alpes-Côte D’Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon, Corsica.

Map of France of CRICR

The centres’ remit is to ensure traffic management and provide traffic information in real time
Traffic Information Centres have three main roles:

to inform road users with a view to improving the general conditions of their journeys and their safety;

to prepare and coordinate road use measures and traffic management plans;

to inform and advise the authorities in charge of anticipating and managing crises relating to traffic and road safety.

To carry out this work, the Traffic Information Centres gather, process, validate and distribute information.

Gathering and processing information

Distributing information

Where can you find Bison Futé information?

• By browsing the Web

You’ll find an overview of the traffic situation on this website. Disruptions (accidents, slow progress, traffic jams, roadworks under way...) are all shown on a map of France divided up into four large geographical areas. Disruptive incidents are indicated by icons placed on the main roads; a “traffic light” indicator (red, orange, green) shows how smooth traffic flow is.

The site gives quick, accurate access to traffic conditions for long and short journeys, on the main roads.

Real time

Advice for how to drive safely in particular weather conditions, in at-risk situations or in incidents of national or regional importance is given in addition to the traffic information issued to users.

You can obtain real-time information by calling 0 800 100 200 (or 33 892 687 888 from abroad).

The information provided by our vocal server is updated constantly by the Traffic Information Centres.

By calling this number, drivers can get round-the-clock information helping them to choose the best itinerary, get an idea of the state of main roads and traffic conditions and find out if there are any risks of disruption or making travel impossible.

For further information on top of the synthesised vocal message, in off-peak periods, the system gives users the chance to contact a representative of the regional traffic coordination and information centre in question.

On the basis of traffic and congestion data, the Traffic Information Centres draw up traffic forecasts for the main getaway periods or long weekends. These forecasts are used to compile the BISON FUTE calendar of expected traffic difficulties, based on colours: green (traffic flowing normally), orange (traffic heavier than normal), red (traffic dense and traffic flow difficult), black (traffic exceptionally heavy and traffic flow extremely difficult).

These forecasts:

• limit traffic problems by encouraging drivers to set off at different times;

• reinforce the safety of drivers.

Traffic forecasts drawn up by the Traffic Information Centres also help to prepare road use measures and set provisions for regulations and for mobilising road management staff and traffic police services:

• calendar of no roadworks days: to prevent long-term roadworks disrupting the traffic during busy getaway periods, roadworks are prohibited on certain days. Road work managers free up the roads when possible;

• participation in drafting traffic management plans and coordinating measures taken under the authority of the Zone Prefect: Palomar plan, snow plan, bad weather plan. The objective is to improve traffic flow and user safety by spreading traffic out more effectively (setting up diversions, parking heavy goods vehicles, etc.);

• additional restrictions for heavy goods vehicles;

• hazardous goods transportation not allowed;

• Coaches must not transport children on “black” days;

• organisation of “primrose” days: reinforcement of police forces on the roads.

A spot of history...

1968, the French Defence and Transport Ministries and Home Office decide to combine their respective means for gathering, processing and distributing traffic information within an interministerial structure: the French National Centre for Traffic Information (CNIR).

1972-1980, seven regional traffic coordination and information centres (CRICRs) are created in Metz, Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille, Marseilles, Rennes and Créteil.

The CNIR and CRICRs are placed under the collective management of the Road Traffic And Safety Directorate (DSCR) - also the Interministerial Delegate of Road Safety- and National Police and Gendarmerie Directorates.

The CNIR has permanent authority over the whole of France. It works particularly on the main network and on major incidents.

It directs and coordinates the measures taken by CRICRs; centralises international information exchanges through its close ties with bordering countries.

An agreement protocol dated 4 November 1998 on the organisation and running of Traffic Information Centres defines their remit: gathering, processing and distributing traffic information for users, the media and authorities.

A decree of 16 January 2002 on the powers of the Zone Prefects places the CRICRs under the authority of these prefects to draw up or help to draw up Traffic Management Plans and ensure coordination of informative measures in times of crisis.