Month: October 2024
POLIS, the European Cities Network, has organized with great success the Safety and Security Working Group Meeting which was held online on 30 October 2024. The POLIS Safety and Security Working Group focused on the effectiveness of lower speed limits and Low-Traffic Neighborhoods in enhancing road safety. NTUA Professor George Yannis actively contributed with the following presentation:
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has published a Position Paper titled “EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 Funds for Road Safety“. In this paper, ETSC presents recommendations for funding for road safety initiatives within the next long-term EU budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). These recommendations should support work towards meeting EU’s Vision Zero target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, paving the way for safer roads across Europe. 
The European Union Road Federation (ERF) has released the updated Recommendations for Sign Inspection. These guidelines provide the road community with important updated information on practices and technical recommendations to reduce roadside injuries and fatalities. The publication aligns with the EU’s Vision Zero goals, emphasizing the importance of safe infrastructure in crash prevention and injury mitigation.
The Horizon Europe research project IMPROVA has recently released the IMPROVA 1st Newsletter, which provides information on the latest outcomes of the EU-funded IMPROVA project focusing on enhancing road safety by addressing the complexities of long-term consequences (LTC) caused by road traffic accidents. With a commitment to improving the quality of life for all road users, IMPROVA goes beyond simply saving lives by focusing on understanding, quantifying, and mitigating the impact of LTC. The project also advances injury mitigation strategies to support the achievement of Vision Zero, aligned with the European Commission’s Transport and Mobility sector goals.
The International Cooperation on Theories and Concepts in Traffic safety (ICTCT) together with the Traffic and Transportation Safety Lab of Delft University of Technology organized with great success the 36th Conference which was held in The Hague, Netherlands, on 17-18 October 2024. This conference with theme “Inclusive and interdisciplinary road safety research” served as a platform for global leaders, industry experts, academia and diverse public and private stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions and collaborative efforts. Particular emphasis was given to vulnerable road users, micromobility, road infrastructure design, innovative research methodologies and inclusive road safety policies. 
NTUA actively contributed with 2 presentations:
NTUA actively contributed with 2 presentations:
The International Road Federation (IRF) in cooperation with the Turkish Road Association organized with great success the IRF World Congress 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey, on 15-18 October 2024. This conference with theme “Connecting to Empower Mobility: Roads as Enablers of a Sustainable Future for All” served as a platform for global leaders, industry experts, academia, and diverse public and private stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions and collaborative efforts, addressing pivotal issues and exploring innovations within the road and mobility sectors.
NTUA actively contributed with 7 innovative presentations:
NTUA actively contributed with 7 innovative presentations:
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Assessing the effectiveness of 30km/h speed limit in cities - Quantifying the impact of driver, vehicle and environment on crash risk using big data
- Exploring the Influencing Factors of Active Commuting Choices for Work-Related Trips: The Case of Athens
- Exploring the Relationship Between Unsafe Traffic Events and Crash Occurrences Using Smartphone App Data
- Enhancing cyclist safety: Predictive analysis of injury severity and advocacy for evidence-based interventions
- The ESRA initiative
- Key results on vulnerable road users’ performance and attitudes across 39 countries
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has published at the European Road Safety Observatory, the Powered Two-Wheelers Thematic Report which refers to the safety of moped riders and motorcyclists as vulnerable road users. This Thematic Report highlights the key risks associated to PTWs traffic, in terms of rider characteristics and behaviour, road infrastructure, traffic patterns and safety culture. Moreover, a series of specific countermeasures regarding safer road users, vehicles and roads are suggested in view of minimising both crash risk and severity.
The TRB ACS10 Standing Committee organised with great success the Quarterly Meeting on Transport Safety Management Systems which was held online, on 25 September 2024. The primary focus of this meeting was the impact of the impact of the 30 km/h speed limit in urban areas. NTUA actively contributed with the following presentation:
NTUA actively contributed with the following presentation:
The Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility Association (CCAM) has released the Quarterly Newsletter which provides information on the latest CCAM news aiming to create a more user-centered and inclusive mobility system, increasing road safety while reducing congestion and environmental footprint. Established in 2021, the international not-for-profit organisation CCAM Association represents the private side of the CCAM Partnership, bringing together 230 innovation stakeholders involved in the connected, cooperative and automated mobility field.
The Road Traffic Safety Agency (RTSA) of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with several Serbian and international road safety Governmental, Academic and other organizations, is organising the 20th International Conference Road Safety in Local Communities (RSLC 2025) in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, on 23-26 April 2025. The Conference was organized within the second Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030) and the second national strategy for road safety (2023-2030) highlighting the significant changes in road safety regulations. Researchers can submit their abstracts until 25 November 2025.
The International Transport Forum (ITF) has recently published a new Summary Report titled “Advancing Sustainable Mobility in Greece: Supporting SUMPs uptake“. This initiative supports Greek cities in developing and implementing Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) that focus on environmentally friendly and safe transport solutions, such as walking, cycling, and public transport. It offers Greek local authorities practical guidance and tools to optimize transport planning, ensuring safer and more sustainable urban mobility systems, in order to achieve climate neutrality by the year 2030.
A paper titled “Cost benefit analyst of reducing speed limits in Athens to 30 Km/h” authored by Stella Roussou, Virginia Petraki, Katerina Deliali, Armira Kontaxi and George Yannis has been published in Case Studies on Transport Policy. The study highlights the benefits of lowering speed limits in Athens from 50 km/h to 30 km/h, including a 30-40% reduction in traffic crashes and a 20-25% decrease in injury severity . Additionally, the policy could lead to lower by 10-15% CO2 emissions and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. The overall benefits are projected to outweigh the costs by 3 to 5 times, making it a highly effective policy for safer, more sustainable urban mobility. 
UNECE has introduced new Guidelines and Recommendations aimed at enhancing cycling networks and promoting cycling as a sustainable and safe mode of transportation. These Guidelines emphasize the need for well-connected cycling infrastructure and the integration of cycling into national transport systems. By prioritizing safer cycling routes, the Guidelines aim to achieve safer, healthier and more environmentally friendly urban and rural mobility. This initiative is expected to play a key role in shaping future transport policies across Europe.
The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) announced at the IRF World Congress 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey, the enhancement of the Star Rating for Designs (SR4D), a Tool that allows the safety of road designs to be measured before the commencement of civil works. Using the Tool, road engineers and designers can define a road’s geometry and code its features to obtain a globally recognised iRAP safety Star Rating, along with fatal and serious injury estimations, and safety investment plans to optimise safety.
The Horizon Europe research project metaCCAZE has recently released the metaCCAZE 1st Newsletter, which provides information on the latest outcomes of the EU-funded metaCCAZE project aiming to accelerate the deployment of smart systems that combine electric, automated and connected technologies and infrastructure, enabling zero-emission shared mobility services for both passengers and goods in European cities. The potential of zero emission shared mobility solutions in real and diverse urban environments were tested in four Trailblazer Cities (i.e. Amsterdam, Munich, Limassol, Tampere).
The European Union Road Federation (ERF) has released the Road Statistics Yearbook 2024”. As for many years, this publication provides the road community with important updated information on road transport sector and road infrastructure in Europe and beyond as an essential key element of the global mobility with one section focusing on road safety.
The European Commission published the latest figures on Road safety in the EU, showing that 20,400 people were killed in road crashes in 2023, a 1% decrease in relation to 2022. While the underlying long-term trend is downward (-10% compared to 2019), the current pace of decline falls short of the required 4.5% annual reduction needed to achieve the EU’s goal of halving road deaths by 2030. Preliminary figures for the first six months of 2024 indicate the number of deaths on EU roads has remained the same, compared with the same period in 2023.
A new book titled “Governance Recommendations from Innovative Interdisciplinary Collaborations” authored by Imre Keserű, Samyajit Basu, Marianne Ryghaug and Tomas Moe Skjølsvold has been recently published. This book supports the transformation towards a more sustainable mobility and logistics system through its interdisciplinary approach and by formulating concrete policy recommendations. NTUA actively contributed with the following chapter, co-authored by Virginia Petraki, Apostolos Ziakopoulos and George Yannis:
The Young and aging drivers Thematic Report of the European Survey of Road Users’ Safety Attitudes (ESRA) has been published, as prepared by TIRF, with the support of NTUA, containing a wealth of information on road safety in 39 countries across Europe, America and Asia-Oceania, based on the ESRA3 survey. This Thematic ESRA3 Report describes the self-declared behaviours and perceived acceptability (social and personal) related to driving while impaired, speeding, and distraction, among young and aging drivers. Key findings show that aging drivers (65-74) are less likely than younger drivers to engage in risky behaviours like impaired driving, speeding, or distracted driving, such as using a hand-held phone or reading messages.
The Speeding Thematic Report of the E-Survey of Road Users’ Safety Attitudes (ESRA) has been published with the active contribution of BASt and NTUA, containing a wealth of information on road safety in 39 countries across Europe, America and Asia-Oceania, based on the ESRA3 survey. This Thematic ESRA3 Report describes the self-declared behaviour, acceptability, attitudes and support for policy measures regarding speeding. Key results on self-reported speeding behaviors show that car drivers least frequently admitted to driving too fast for road/traffic conditions (27.8%-31.0%), followed by exceeding speed limits in built-up areas (37.1%-47.3%), with males, younger drivers (in Europe), and certain regional variations (e.g., America8) displaying higher frequencies of speeding across road types.
The Infrastructure Thematic Report of the E-Survey of Road Users’ Safety Attitudes (ESRA) has been published with the active contribution of NTUA, containing a wealth of information on road safety in 39 countries across Europe, America and Asia-Oceania, based on the ESRA3 survey. This Thematic ESRA3 Report describes the use and the safety perception of infrastructure among different road users, including car drivers, moped riders and motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. The results revealed that car drivers in Europe have the highest usage of inter-city motorways, while America leads in using thoroughfares and high-speed roads within cities. Moreover, strong linear relationships were discovered between the perceived safety of road infrastructure and road fatality rates.
Road Safety Support organized with great success the National Safer Roads Partnerships Conference which took place in Manchester, on 25-26 September 2024. Key topics discussed in this conference were science and technology within policing, a new way to measure traffic safety and road safety as a government priority. NTUA Professor George Yannis actively contributed with the following key-note presentation:
The Transportation Infrastructure Scientific Association of Italy (ASIT) in cooperation with the Order of Engineers of the Province of Naples organized with great success the Traffic Moderation Conference, which was held online, on 9 October 2024. This conference aims to provide an overview of the results of the most recent national and European experiences related to the implementation of the speed limit of 30km/h in urban areas and traffic moderation. NTUA Professor George Yannis actively contributed with the following key-note presentation:
NTUA Professor George Yannis actively contributed with the following key-note presentation:
The Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) of the European Commission has recently delivered a set of Recommendations for the Commission’s mid-term review of the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030. Special focus is given on active mobility and road safety for Vulnerable Road Users, for which key risk factors and a set of Recommendations for people who walk, cycle and use light electric vehicles, micromobility devices and powered two-wheelers, are being provided.
The European Commission with the active contribution of NTUA, SWOV and KFV has launched a Vulnerable Road Users promotion activity focusing on children, cyclists, pedestrians and Powered Two-Wheelers (mopeds and motorcycles). According to the new Reports from the European Road Safety Observatory, the high vulnerability of non-motorised road users in urban areas is highlighted, with a disproportionately high number of fatalities in these areas for children (46% of total fatalities) and pedestrians (73%), compared to the average for all road users (38%). Recommendations to reduce fatalities among vulnerable users, including infrastructure improvements, protective equipment and vehicle design are also provided.
NTUA Professor George Yannis has been awarded an Honorary Distinction during the Environmental Awards 2024, organised by Boussias events, held on 30 September 2024 in Athens. Professor George Yannis was awarded for his campaign promoting city-wide 30km/h speed limits in as many cities as possible worldwide, as a key policy for safer, healthier and greener cities, through his challenge of 30 Marathons in 30 months. These unique Awards highlight and reward good practices and initiatives for environmental protection and sustainability, as well as innovative “green” projects, technologies or programmes.
Eva Michelaraki has successfully defended her PhD dissertation titled: Improving driver safety tolerance zone through holistic analysis of road, vehicle and behavioural risk factors, under the supervision of NTUA Prof. George Yannis. Data from 190 drivers who participated in a large on-road and simulator driving experiment were exploited. An innovative methodology, consisting of both statistical analyses (Generalized Linear Models, Structural Equation Models) and machine learning techniques (Decision Trees, k-Nearest Neighbors, Neural Networks and Random Forests) was implemented. Results indicated that RF models outperformed the DT and kNN models across all metrics, making them the most effective for predicting speeding and headway, with overall accuracy up to 90%. It was also revealed that task complexity was positively correlated with risk, while coping capacity was negatively correlated with risk, indicating that drivers with higher coping capacity are better equipped to handle challenging driving situations.
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is organising the 26th International Symposium on Transportation and Traffic Theory (ISTTT) which will be held in Munich, Germany, on 20-24 July 2026. The primary objective of ISTTT is to facilitate scientific discourse and collaboration by convening leading experts and promising young researchers. Researchers can submit their full papers until 20 June 2025.
The Horizon 2020 research project SHOW (SHared automation Operating models for Worldwide adoption) final event was held with great success in Tampere, Finland, on 26 September 2024. SHOW has generated a wealth of knowledge by directly addressing the mobility needs of passengers and logistics clients. The SHOW Final Event took stock of all project achievements, with a look forward to how that knowledge can be applied and replicated by cities. 
NTUA actively contributed with the following key-note presentation:
NTUA actively contributed with the following key-note presentation:
The European Commission is making available within the European Road Safety Observatory, the Road Safety Atlas application, exploiting data from the CARE database, the EU database with disaggregate data. It is an application openly available with several detailed thematic maps on road fatalities and extended backround data available, including statistics per country and comparisons between countries. It provides a user-friendly interface to discover up to date road safety indicators for European countries.
