The C-32 is being transformed: innovation, service and sustainability on the highway of the future

The C-32 highway is becoming a testing ground for cutting-edge projects within Abertis' Future Road Lab and the Awai app, including ultra-fast electric vehicle charging stations and a renowned customer service system designed by Autopistas. The infrastructure, owned by the Government of Catalonia, is the new mobility laboratory that aims to expand across the entire road network. These initiatives are also part of the Government of Catalonia's Connected and Intelligent Roads Program.

The innovation strategy that reshapes the C-32

Autopistas and the Catalan government are already redesigning the roads of the future. The Abertis Group company is designing how travel will be tomorrow by transforming the C-32 highway into a mobility laboratory. This infrastructure, owned by the Catalan government and connecting to the Garraf region, will serve as a real-world testing ground for advanced mobility technologies. Autopistas' commitment involves launching its Future Road Lab Abertis at the new Center for Road Safety, Sustainability, and Innovation. This operational laboratory will validate road management tools, control systems, and data-driven predictive models.

According to the general manager, Daniel Vilanova, "we work to develop solutions that bring true innovation to the world of mobility. We not only conceive them, but we also test them exhaustively in our operational laboratory and progressively incorporate them into the daily operation of the C-32. All of this with a very specific objective: to protect the safety of all drivers who use the affected highways."

This approach allows for anticipating incidents, adjusting traffic management in real time, and optimizing resources, always with an eye not only on efficiency, but also on safety and sustainability.

Infrastructures that anticipate: the leap to predictive maintenance

One of the most transformative innovations being implemented on the C-32 is the incorporation of predictive maintenance systems. Using artificial intelligence, sensors, 3D models, and advanced inspection technology, Autopistas is developing a platform that allows for monitoring the real-time condition of viaducts, embankments, and other sensitive infrastructure elements.

This system generates a "medical history" for each structure and detects anomalies—cracks, changes in geometry, or vibrations—before they are visible to the naked eye. The goal is to anticipate problems, schedule interventions more precisely, and improve safety and lifespan.

In the case of slopes, the technology allows monitoring their behavior in real time and activating automatic alerts in case of abnormal movement, thus reducing the risk of sudden incidents on the road.

Awai: more than an app, a comprehensive mobility tool

The Awai app is a key element of this transformation strategy. It not only facilitates automatic toll payments but also provides real-time traffic information, incident alerts, and recommendations. In this way, Autopistas connects the digital platform with the physical infrastructure, creating a smoother travel experience: users don't have to chase after information but receive it when and where they need it, with a tool designed for the future of mobility.

High-powered electromobility on the C-32

One of the most tangible examples of the transformation of this road is the collaboration between Autopistas and Fastned to deploy 16 ultra-fast charging points on the C-32, specifically in the Garraf Nord (Vilanova i la Geltrú) and Garraf Sud (Cubelles) service areas.

These new electric charging points are in addition to the 24 from the initial deployment of Autopistas in Catalonia and raise to 40 the total number of points on the roads it manages throughout Catalonia, also counting on other operators.

These chargers can reach a power output of up to 400 kW, allowing drivers to recover up to 300 km of range in just 15 minutes, depending on the vehicle. Furthermore, Fastned's charging stations are equipped with solar panels that supply renewable energy, reinforcing Autopistas' environmental commitment as part of its decarbonization strategy.

As Daniel Vilanova states, "Fastned is a strategic partner that brings experience and an ultra-fast infrastructure that improves the charging experience for C-32 users."

Customer service: attention also innovates

The innovation of the C-32 would not be complete without a strong commitment to the user. Autopistas has placed the driver at the heart of its strategy, offering 24/7 multichannel support (app, phone, website, social media). This commitment has recently been recognized: the company received an overall score of 9.13 and won the award for the second year in a row. Customer Service of the Year in the Infrastructure and Mobility category, awarded by Leaders in Service.

A highway, a laboratory, a shared vision

The transformation of the C-32 is not just a technological challenge, but a comprehensive commitment to safer, more efficient, and more sustainable mobility. By combining digitalization (Awai), electric charging (Fastned), real-time innovation (Future Road Lab), and award-winning customer service, Autopistas and the Government of Catalonia are anticipating the future of mobility to meet users' needs. This commitment is part of a public-private partnership model in which the Government of Catalonia and Autopistas are working together to promote a safer, more efficient road, better prepared for the challenges of future mobility. This model can be a turning point: a highway that not only transports vehicles, but also ideas and technologies that can extend beyond the C-32 to the entire network.