Karlaftis M., Golias J., Yannis G., “A Simulation Model for Analyzing Traffic and Environmental Impacts from Heavy Vehicle Movement in Urban Areas”, Proceedings of the 10th World Conference on Transportation Research, Istanbul, July 2004.

The scope of this study is to examine the impacts of heavy goods vehicle traffic in the Athens downtown area and to evaluate alternative proposals for improving traffic conditions in the area. Simulation is used to derive traffic impacts, using present condition data and applying a number of scenarios (proposals) related to heavy vehicle traffic restrictions. Traffic impacts are measured by changes in the average network speed. A multi-criteria analysis is also conducted in order to evaluate the examined scenarios. This analysis takes into account additional criteria such as environmental and socioeconomic impacts. The results of the study show that application of two of the proposed scenarios would lead in improving traffic conditions in the Athens, Greece, downtown area.