Socrates Basbas

Implementation of alternative transport networks in university campuses

Purpose – In order to alleviate the impacts of traffic congestion that undermine the mobility and accessibility conditions of the Aristotle University campus, the paper aims at the presentation and description of a complementary network of alternative modes (i.e. pedestrian and bicycle) and the discussion of the appropriate measures for its successful implementation in the campus.Design/methodology/approach – The methodological approach of the paper is twofold: the overview of good practices for implementing cycling and pedestrian networks in European university campuses in an attempt to identify an integrated activity framework compatible to the European approach; and a questionnaire survey for the assessment of the modal split for trips towards and from the campus and the current mobility and accessibility conditions for pedestrians and cyclists in the Aristotle University campus.Findings – The successful implementation of alternative transport networks in university campuses depends on the specific fea...

A Study of Traffic Signal Violations at Highway Intersections

Abstract A research study of drivers non-compliance with traffic signals, covering 19 interurban signalised highway intersections in Northern Greece is presented in this paper. The objective of the study is to identify the interrelations between traffic signal violations and roadway, traffic and operational features of the intersection. The results of the study indicate that traffic signal violation at interurban intersections is a major problem, which requires emergency attention. Four out of ten (4/10) drivers violate the red signal. The violation rate is higher for left and right turns, for motorcycles and during low traffic volumes.

Analyzing Heavy Goods Vehicle Data Collected on Main Road Network in Greece

The work described concerns the first major study on heavy goods vehicles operating on the trans-European links in Greek territory. The study period coincides with a period in which major development in the national road network took place that required the support by specific studies concerning pavement design, road management, and toll collection. Data were collected at seven specific sites on the main axes of the main national roads. A total of about 3,053,116 records at all sites were collected concerning all vehicle categories. Data were collected using permanent weigh-in-motion (WIM) instrumentation with either rigid or flexible sensors. In addition, comparison measurements were taken from high-speed and low-speed WIM systems to examine the validity of the above systems to be used in law enforcement for overloaded vehicles. Analysis of the data revealed that the initial sets included a series of counts that were not reliable. False data were detected by imposing various physical or technical filters. The consistency of the remaining good-quality data was examined by using simple analysis techniques. In the final stage of the work much emphasis was given in the development of a comprehensive database of WIM measurements. This database is unique for the Greek national road network and is a necessary step in order to provide useful information and support future actions in the area of pavement design and maintenance.

DESIGN OF A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (TAMS), FOR THE GREEK NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM, USING GIS TECHNOLOGY

Abstract A GIS based Management System for Traffic Accidents, is being presented, with the main emphasis on the Data Base Design. The System functions and the overall Architecture have been approached at a first stage, providing an indication of what such a system might be. The system is appropriate for the General Secretariat of Public Works, its Regional Branches and other Authorities which have to do with road networks. The benefits of such a system extend on operations, management, planning and monitoring. What is really needed is maturation and determination from the decision makers to employ a GIS base Traffic Accident Management System. A system that will also be quite useful for other functions of the same Ministry as well.

The use of a transport simulation system (AIMSUN) to determine the environmental effects of pedestrianization and traffic management in the center of Thessaloniki

Traffic congestion in urban areas results in increased energy consumption and vehicle emissions. Traffic management that alleviates traffic congestion also mitigates the environmental effects of vehicular traffic. This study uses the transport simulation model AIMSUN to evaluate the environmental effect of a set of traffic management and pedestrianization schemes. The effects of the pedestrianization of specific sections of roads, converting two-way roads into one-way roads for traffic and changing the direction of flow of traffic along one-way roads were simulated for different areas of Thessaloniki’s city centre network. The assessment of the environmental effect was done by determining the predicted fuel consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and air pollutants. Fuel consumption and the environmental indicators were quantified directly using the fuel consumption and emissions model in AIMSUN. A typical weekday morning peak period, between 09:00am–10:00am, was simulated and the demand data obtained using a macroscopic traffic assignment model previously developed for the wider area of Thessaloniki. The results presented in this paper are for network-wide simulation statistics (i.e. fuel consumed, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM)).