The municipality of Kranjska Gora is preparing to test the barrier system for entry into the Vršič Pass area, which will be carried out by the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency between October 13 and 27, 2025.
The purpose of establishing the system is to improve traffic and parking management in this heavily trafficked and tourist-heavy area, where visitor numbers have increased significantly in recent years, along with the environmental impact of the starting points for the most famous mountain destinations. The Vršič Pass is considered one of the busiest starting points, so the introduction of the system is an important step towards sustainable traffic management in this part of the Julian Alps.
On behalf of the Municipality of Kranjska Gora, Komunala Kranjska Gora d.o.o. will also manage the car parks and barriers at the Vršič Pass as part of its public car park management activities.
Access to the Vršič Pass area will be via barrier gates installed at both entry points to the Vršič Road. On the Kranjska Gora side, they are located behind Lake Jasna, and on the Trenta side, before the turnoff to the source of the Soča River. At these points, the road widens into two lanes. The left lane is intended for transit through Vršič, while the right lane is intended for vehicles that will park at the top of the Vršič Pass on an approximately 700 m long section of the road, where parking spaces are planned.
RIGHT LANE, INTENDED FOR VEHICLES THAT WILL PARK AT THE TOP OF THE VRŠIČ PASS
Drivers who turn into the right lane with the intention of parking at the top of the pass will have to take a parking ticket at the barrier. Upon arrival at the top of the pass, they will then place it in a visible place in the vehicle. When exiting the area, the barrier will open automatically based on the recognition of the license plate. If the system does not recognize the license plate, it will still be possible to exit by inserting the parking ticket into the parking system’s exit terminal. As parking will be free during the trial period, the use of parking meters will not be necessary.
LEFT LANE, INTENDED FOR TRANSIT
The left lane of the road will be reserved for all other users who do not intend to park at the top of the pass. This includes transit passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and all visitors who wish to park their vehicles elsewhere along Vršiška Road, for example, at mountain huts, the Russian Chapel, or on private land. At the barrier on the left lane, the system will also recognize the vehicle’s license plate and the barrier will open. Vehicles whose license plates cannot be read or are not recognized by the system (motorcycles, tractors, sports vehicles) will receive a ticket at the barrier indicating that they are transit passengers. When leaving the area, the barrier for vehicles that entered transit with license plate recognition will open automatically if the plate is correctly recognized. In the case of vehicles entering transit by taking a ticket, the ticket must be inserted into the parking system exit terminal upon exit.
TURNING AREA
When the road is widened to two lanes, a turning area will be set up in the left lane. This can be used by anyone who wants to park at the top of the pass but finds that all parking spaces are already occupied when they arrive at the barrier system, or that a line of waiting vehicles has already formed in the right lane. The turning area allows drivers to avoid entering the barrier area and to turn back safely and in good time.
It is important to note that if the right lane is occupied up to the point where the road widens, vehicles must not stop in the left transit lane, as this would obstruct the flow of traffic. In such a case, the driver must use the turning area or continue driving in the left lane, in which case parking at the top of the pass is no longer possible.
ASSISTANCE AND SUPERVISION DURING THE TEST PERIOD
To ensure proper implementation of the system and correct behavior by drivers, traffic controllers will be present both at the barriers and at the top of the pass to provide assistance and supervise the test period. During the test period in October 2025, only 39 of the planned 92 parking spaces will be temporarily available at the top of the pass, as construction in this area has not yet been completed. Parking will remain free of charge until the end of the test period. In case of problems, a hotline number is also available: +386 41 656 000.
We urge all road users to be patient, strictly observe traffic signals, and follow the instructions of traffic controllers, as this is the only way to effectively test the system, which will contribute to greater traffic safety and better traffic management in the Vršič Pass area in the long term.
