Civil Patras - Research Study Units Study Unit of Transportation and Traffic Engineering

Research

Research Study Units Study Unit of Transportation and Traffic Engineering

TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING STUDIES UNIT (TESS)

  The Transport and Traffic Engineering Studies Unit of the University of Patras was founded in 1991 and operates with the primary goal of promoting teaching and research in the fields of Intelligent Transportation and Traffic Engineering.

  The main activities of the Study Unit include:

  1. Lecturing and supervision of student projects in the following subjects:

  UNDERGRADUATE

  - Traffic Engineering
  - Transportation Analysis and Design I
  - Transportation Analysis and Design II
  - Smart Cities, Infrastructure and Transportation
  - Intelligent Transportation Systems

  GRADUATE

  - Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems
  - Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence in Transport

- Special Topics in Intelligent Transportation and Project Management Systems
  - Multimodal and Intermodal Transport Systems Design

  POSTGRADUATE

  Available for students who have completed their graduate studies.


  2. Research

  Research is primarily in the area of Intelligent Transport Systems. It focuses in modeling and assessing the dynamic nature of transport and traffic systems, dynamic forecasting algorithms, detection, control, simulation, and use of intelligent hardware and software. The research program is classified in areas, depending on the research field. These areas govern four research pillars:

  a. Intelligent Transport Systems – ITS

  ITS systems aim at drastically improving the information, management, quality, safety and security of travel. Specifically:
  i. Incident Management Models covering all phases of incident management, i.e., Detection, Confirmation, Response, and real-time support algorithms, engineering and machine vision / computer vision in ITS.
  ii. Macroscopic modeling, assessment, prediction, detection and control of road traffic incidents. Dynamic algorithms for non-linear traffic dynamics with emphasis on identification of incident precursors, near misses and incidents under shock wave and cluster/platoon development.
  iii. Microscopic modeling, assessment, prediction, detection and control of road traffic incidents. Models of risk assessment based on the microscopic behavior of vehicle and traffic estimation.

  b. Intermodal Transport Systems – NTS

  i. Macroscopic detection and risk assessment - providing optimum safety in intermodal and multimodal hubs, including ports and airports.
  ii. Microscopic identification of vehicle position using computer vision algorithms.

  c. Sustainable Transport Systems – STS

  i. Modelling, assessment and prediction of multimodal and intermodal transport behavior in sustainable passenger and freight transport, in interaction with online social networks in real time. Fleet management. Dynamic carpooling.
  This research is supported by modeling intermodal and multimodal nodes (e.g. Patras port, Araxos airport), and large road networks, and is based on the analysis of real data from urban and metropolitan networks, e.g. Minneapolis USA, Athens, Cairo.

  d. Cybernetics Transport Infrastructure Systems - CTIS

  Algorithms are developed for integrated self-organizing systems, including intelligent transportation and infrastructure. Dynamic models using vector autoregression, pattern recognition, neural networks, genetic algorithms. Big data.


  3. Applied studies

  Traffic Engineering Studies in urban areas. Regeneration studies. Pedestrianization studies. Bicycle routes planning. Micromobility studies. Rail transport systems. Traffic Signs and Traffic Signal Studies. Parking Studies. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) studies. Transport Safety. Accident analysis, driver behaviour studies, before and after studies. Computer applications and simulation models for all aspects of transport operations, planning and market research. Environmental Impact of traffic and transport operation assessment studies.


  4. Conference organization

  The Study Unit has organized many International and National Conferences:

  • December 2001: International Conference on Airports and Air Transport, ”Evolutions in the 21st Century”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras. (http://www.spoudmet.civil.upatras.gr/2001/)
  • May 2003: International Conference, “Modern Tram and L.R.T. Systems”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras. (http://www.spoudmet.civil.upatras.gr/2003/)
  • May 2004: International Conference, “Traffic Signals-Recent Developments-Transport Telematics”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras. (http://www.spoudmet.civil.upatras.gr/2004/)
  • October 2005: 3rd Panellenic Conference on Road Safety, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras. (http://www.spoudmet.civil.upatras.gr/2005/)
  • June 2007: International Conference, “ROADS OF THE FUTURE,” Conference Center, Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, Athens. (http://www.spoudmet.civil.upatras.gr/2007/)
  • May 2008: International Conference, “TRANSPORT SECURITY”, Conference Center, Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, Athens. (http://www.spoudmet.civil.upatras.gr/2008/)
  • October 2011: International Conference “ITS 2011: Innovation and Society”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras. (http://www.spoudmet.civil.upatras.gr/2011/index.html)
  • April 2012: International Conference, “ΙTS 2012” (with the University of Cyprus), Conference Center, University of Cyprus, Nicosia.
  • April 2013: International Conference, “ΙTS 2013” (with the University of Cyprus), Conference Center, University of Cyprus, Nicosia.
  • November 2014: International Conference, “ITS and Smart Cities 2014”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras. (www.spoudmet.civil.upatras.gr)
  • March 2015: MED/EU Synergies Conference: “Energy Performance Indicators and Methods for a Sustainable Framework of Buildings Refurbishment”, Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Piraeus-Greece.
  Co-organised by the MED projects: GRASP (Lead Partner - University of Patras) and REPUBLIC-MED.
  • May 2015: “Green Procurement And Smart Cities Support in the Energy Sector”, Patra Palace Hotel, Patras
  • June 2015: MED - European Union Sustainable Energy Week 2015 (EUSEW2015) Conference: "Innovation for Renewable Energy Efficiency Solutions in Mediterranean Regions and Cities - An overview of achieved results", Delegation of the Catalonia Government to the European Union Espai Catalunya Europa, Brussels-Belgium.
  Co-organised by the MED projects: GRASP (Lead Partner - University of Patras) and EMILIE.
  • December 2017: International Conference, “Smart Cities and Mobility as a Service”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras. (http://conference2017.upatras.gr/)


  - EQUIPMENT OF THE STUDY UNIT

  The equipment of the Study Unit includes:
  -Traffic data counting devices, type ΑDR 1000
  -Traffic data counting devices, type MARKSMAN 400
  -Turning movements counter, type TETRA-PRO
  -Server which hosts portals, applications and web pages
  -Info kiosk 24”
  -Machine vision devices with software
  -License plate reader with software
  -Radar devices with software
  -GPS devices with software

  There are numerous computers with state-of-the-art software, appropriate for applications in the fields of traffic and transport engineering and planning. The software includes the AUTOSCOPE, SATURN and AIMSUN programs.

  An extensive library of final year studies is available; the studies have been carried out by civil engineering undergraduate and graduate students in transport and traffic engineering.


  - RESEARCH PROJECTS

  The Study Unit has undertaken funded projects in the areas of intelligent transportation, traffic and infrastructure in smart cities. The most significant of these are:

  • “Investigation of the traffic signals and signs prerequisites in Urban Areas.”, Ministry of Public Works (1998-1999)

  • “MASTERPLAN of the Corfu Airport I Kapodistrias.”, Civil Aviation Authority (1998-2000)
  “Feasibility Study of constructing a tram line for the city of Patras.” Ministry of Public Works (1998-2002)

  • “Parking Management Investigation.”, Municipality of Argostoli (2003-04)

  • “Traffic Management Study for the City of Patras.”, Region of Western Greece (2005-2006)

  • “Improvement of traffic conditions.”, Municipality of Maroussi (2008)

  • “Traffic Investigation of the city of Lefkada.”, Municipality of Lefkada (2010)

  • “Traffic planning-Municipality of Zakynthos.”, THISSEAS program (2011)

  • “Dynamic Carpooling” (2011 - 2012), Eurostars Programme.
  You can find information regarding this project in the following link: www.dynamo-project.eu

  • “Improvement of the traffic conditions in the Municipality of Sparti” (2012)
  GRASP: “Green Procurement And Smart cities Support in the energy sector” (2012 - 2015), Interreg-MED Programme.
  You can find information regarding this project in the following link: http://www.grasp-egpp.eu

• GUIDEPORT: “Integrated Accessibility and Routing Guidance Platform for Safe Multimodal Transport In Sustainable Smart Ports and Regions” (2013 - 2015), European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece - Italy 2007 - 2013.
  You can find information regarding this project in the following link: www.e-guideport.eu

  • GIFT 2.0: “Greece – Italy Facilities for Transport 2.0” (2013 - 2015), European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece - Italy 2007 – 2013.
  You can find information regarding this project in the following link: http://www.giftsmartways.com/index.php/en/

  • PRODROMOS: “Integrated platform for security, information and accessibility in intelligent multimodal transport” (2014 - 2015), Greece-Cyprus Program of Transnational Cooperation (2007 - 2013).
  You can find information regarding this project in the following
  link: https://sites.google.com/site/itsprodromos/

  • PHAROS: “Integrated Eco-routing and Fleet Management System” (2014 - 2016), EU-Egypt Innovation Fund (EEIF) through the Research, Development and Innovation Program (RDI) of the Ministry of Scientific Research of Egypt.
  You can find information regarding this project in the following link: http://pharos.cedare.org/

  • CROCODILE 2 (2015 - 2019), Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) TRANSPORT.
  You can find information regarding this project in the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/connecting-europe-facility/cef-transport/projects-by-country/multi-country/2014-eu-tm-0563-w

  • ORNISIM: “Simulation du mouvement des ORNI” (2018 -), financed by the MAIF Foundation in France

You can find information regarding this project in the following link: https://ornisim-ifsttar.fr/

• BLUEMED: “Plan/test/coordinate Underwater Museums, Diving Parks and Knowledge Awareness Centres in order to support sustainable and responsible tourism development and promote Blue growth in coastal areas and islands of the Mediterranean” (2016 - ), Interreg-MED Programme.

You can find information regarding this project in the following link: https://bluemed.interreg-med.eu

  • GRASPINNO: “Transnational model, strategies and decision support for innovative clusters and business networks towards green growth, focusing on green e- procurement in EE/RES for energy refurbishment of public buildings” (2016 - ), Interreg-MED Programme.
  You can find information regarding this project in the following link: http://www.graspinno.eu/

• FRESH WAYS: “Cross-border mechanisms for Green Intermodal and Multimodal Transport of fresh products” (2018 - 2020), Interreg V-A Greece-Italy Programme.

You can find information regarding this project in the following link: https://greece-italy.eu/rlb-funded-projects/fresh-ways/

• Green Inter-e-Mobility: “Integration of Green Transport in Cities” (2019-2021), Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Greece-The Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia 2014-2020

• DECOST: “Decentralised Composting in Small Towns” (2019 - 2021), ENI CBC Med Programme 2014-2020

You can find information regarding this project in the following link: http://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/decost

• GreenBuilding: “Minimising Energy Consumption for Green Buildings respecting present uses and public needs” (2019 - 2021), ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (ENI CBC Med Programme) 2014-2020.

You can find information regarding this project in the following link: http://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/greenbuilding

  - DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS



  BLUEMED: Plan/test/coordinate Underwater Museums, Diving Parks and Knowledge Awareness Centres in order to support sustainable and responsible tourism development and promote Blue growth in coastal areas and islands of the Mediterranean

BLUEMED aims to support competent government authorities develop strategies, plans and policies for local coastal and island economies of the Mediterranean region in adopting a sustainable and responsible model for tourism development. This will be achieved by planning, testing and coordinating Underwater Museums, Diving Parks and Knowledge Awareness Centres (KACs). Main objective is the valorization and protection of underwater natural and cultural heritage in accordance with UNESCO 2001, the raising of public awareness and tourism attractiveness. BLUEMED is part of the Interreg MED 2014-2020 Programme. The Programme is cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund.

  You can find information regarding this project in the following link: https://bluemed.interreg-med.eu

GRASPINNO: “Transnational model, strategies and decision support for innovative clusters and business networks towards green growth, focusing on green e- procurement in EE/RES for energy refurbishment of public buildings” (2016 - 2019), Interreg-MED Programme.

GRASPINNO project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg MED programme 2014-2020 in the framework of the first call proposals for modular projects, priority axis 1.1. The project, started in November 2016, aims at increasing transnational activities of innovative clusters and networks of key sectors of MED area under the Community of Green Growth. The GRASPINNO Consortium is composed of 12 partners from 7 Mediterranean Countries (Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Cyprus, Spain, Bosnia Herzegovina and France). The project aims to provide innovative green procurement solutions for energy savings/efficient refurbishment of public buildings, focusing on smart cities and communities. Project main goals are to improve Public Authorities’ capacity of managing buildings energy efficiency, moving towards nearly zero energy building, and to encourage SMEs to enter the green energy market.

The project will:

Lead to the creation of a platform for supporting public administrations in the management of electronic Green Public Procurement (eGPP), integrating and standardising already existing tools;
Test this platform through 10 pilot actions to be developed in different geographical areas. Pilots will help public administrations to define best energy solutions for the refurbishment of public buildings, to plan green calls for tender through such an eGPP platform, and to publish and award calls for tender according to the rules of each country;
Transfer project results to all GRASPINNO countries and MED area through specific training;
Realize a road map for a large-scale platform utilization promotion;
Organize Living Lab for transferring information to local stakeholders, in particular to Municipalities, for the realization of Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs).

Opportunities offered by the project:

Creation of an ecosystem of SMEs specialised in the supply of components and systems for buildings refurbishment, able to participate in calls for tenders opened by national and international Public Administrations;
Improvement of public authorities’ capacity to issue Green Procurement policies in order to increase their competencies in public buildings energy refurbishment, according to local, regional and national legislation;
Valorisation of international best practices, coming from GRASPINNO partners, in the framework of public buildings energy refurbishment at Mediterranean level.

You can find information regarding this project in the following links: http://www.graspinno.eu/ and https://graspinno.interreg-med.eu/

FRESH WAYS: “Cross-border mechanisms for Green Intermodal and Multimodal Transport of fresh products” (2018 - 2020), Interreg V-A Greece-Italy Programme.

FRESH WAYS has the general objective to promote sustainable transport solutions for high-quality fresh products, reducing the dependency on harmful transport solutions (sea and road transport) and boosting economic growth in the interested areas.

The project aims to optimize existing passengers’ air routes between Italy and Greece to ship fresh products in the aircraft holds. By intensifying exchanges between Italy and Greece, FRESH WAYS project is willing to increase non-seasonal tourism and strengthen south-south connections in the Mediterranean area of Europe.

RESULTS:

· Reduce the annual road freight transport loaded in the eligible area by 333 tons, avoiding intensive maritime and/or road transport solutions

· Develop an integrated system to optimize freight management logistics from/to airports and reduce environmental impact of road and maritime transport in the eligible area

· Increase number of travelers between the two Countries throughout the year

· Transfer main project findings (project pilot actions, cross-border platform for logistic management, cross-border supply chain model) and possible best practices to other regions with similar needs

You can find information regarding this project in the following link: https://greece-italy.eu/rlb-funded-projects/fresh-ways/

Green Inter-e-Mobility: “Integration of Green Transport in Cities” (2019-2021), Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Greece-The Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia 2014-2020

Development and deployment of electric mini-bus network in West Balkans/Greek border areas. Performs study for each Municipality, for varying road transport requirements & characteristics. Added value for W.Macedonia Region (Muni. of Florina, Muni. of Prespes); Pelagonia Region (Muni. of Bitola, Muni. of Resen).

Main objective is to design & apply a safe, energy-efficient, regional intelligent transportation system that supports cross-border safe transport for students, tourists and residents as, owing to heavy winter, especially elderly, disabled, distant-residents face great difficulties in daily transport and safety. Project supports the Municipalities with on-demand use of utility electric vehicles (e-vehicles). High performance photovoltaic panels, will be exploited for transport and synergies with electricity grid (e.g. smart charging). The new system will promote area environmental conservation and road safety.

DECOST: “Decentralised Composting in Small Towns” (2019-2021), ENI CBC Med Programme 2014-2020

Waste management (WM) represents a cornerstone in the effort to preserve Mediterranean cities and guarantee a healthy living environment for communities. Municipal WM, which represents a big challenge for the area, is directly affected by population growth and concentration, urbanization and tourism. The growth limits faced in the MED cities call for smart, sustainable, and inclusive urban development. Moreover, agriculture has become of great interest in finding new answers for how cities can master recent social, economic, and ecological challenges.

DECOST project aims to develop a new framework of WM by building a closed loop system of organic waste valorisation integrating decentralised Home & Community Composting systems with Urban Agriculture. Innovative results in waste valorisation must lead to a broader approach in terms of sustainability; waste urban planning shall be viable from an environmental/economic perspective but also bearable and equitable from a social/environmental and social/economic points of view. These goals can only be achieved by using a people-centred approach, empowering civil society and increasing institutional capacity building.

DECOST is based on the participation of a wide range of actors (Waste Agencies, Municipalities and Research Centres) of 6 different countries, 3 of them EU Mediterranean Countries (Spain, Italy and Greece) and 3 South-East Mediterranean Countries (Palestine, Jordan and Israel) resulting in an international partnership that brings different backgrounds and expertise, and are directly engaged in the local governance processes. Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management Plans and pilot initiatives will be implemented at 4 different municipalities (Spain, Italy, Jordan and Palestine) aiming to (i) reduce food waste and valorize 1,500-2,000 t organic waste/year, (ii) use the produced compost in urban agriculture projects, (iii) create green jobs through DECOST teams (iv) train staff of public administrations (v) use IT tools and mobile Apps for citizen science and engagement and (vi) address municipal sustainability at long-term strategic level.

You can find information regarding this project in the following link: http://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/decost

GreenBuilding: “Minimising Energy Consumption for Green Buildings respecting present uses and public needs” (2019 - 2021), ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (ENI CBC Med Programme) 2014-2020.

GreenBuilding project is co-funded by the European Union under the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), through the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (ENI CBC Med Programme) 2014-2020 in the framework of the call for standard projects, thematic objective B.4 - Environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation (Address common challenges in environment), priority B.4.3 - Support cost-effective and innovative energy rehabilitations relevant to building types and climatic zones, with a focus on public buildings.

The project, started in August 2019, aims at reducing energy consumption and adverse environmental impact, by using RES and energy efficiency measures in public buildings, since renewable energies represent a natural competitive advantage for MED area. The GreenBuilding Consortium is composed of 7 partners from 2 EU - Mediterranean Countries (EUMCs) (Greece, Spain) and 3 MPC - Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPCs) (Lebanon, Tunisia, Jordan).

The project will:

· Plan/support 3 cost-effective public buildings energy refurbishment in Greece, Tunisia and Jordan, respecting present uses/public needs, and monitor refurbishment effectiveness via energy measuring devices.

· Promote ecological public building use, abiding by their traditional use and social role, changing building users’ & society existing way of thinking into a more environment-friendly perspective.

· Identify cost-effective energy refurbishment approaches; and strengthen learning processes; thus ensuring sustainable transition to low carbon economy.

· Provide innovative building energy refurbishment plans/measures to increase public institutions capacity to respond to negative environmental impacts

· Enhance knowledge/experience exchange between involved bodies, that is necessary for the high-energy efficiency refurbishment activities.

· Plan/implement sustainable energy policies at high decision levels, developing a unified strategic framework of EUMCs/MPCs in environment protection and energy efficiency.

You can find information regarding this project in the following link: http://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/greenbuilding

BLUEfasma: “Empowering innovation capacity of SMEs, maritime clusters and networks in MED islands and coastal areas to support blue circular economy growth in fishing/aquaculture” (2019 - 2012), Interreg-MED Programme.

BLUEfasma is a project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg MED Programme 2014-2020 in the framework of the third call for proposals for modular projects, in priority axis 1.1.
The project, started in November 2019, aims at integrating and implementing Circular Economy (CE) principles in the key blue growth sector of fishing/aquaculture to benefit Mediterranean insular and coastal areas in a novel and innovative way. The project team tackles the transnational challenge of continual depletion of natural resources and the below-EU-average Mediterranean CE innovation performance in fishing/aquaculture. Its overall objective is to empower innovation capacity of SMEs, maritime clusters/networks, Public Authorities to boost blue CE growth in insular/coastal areas. CE prevents depletion of resources by closing energy & materials loops, leading to smart/sustainable growth as a key Mediterranean joint asset.

BLUEfasma approach will change current thinking on circularity by:
•    replicating effective CE work in the sector, mainly from Interreg MED projects and North-EU projects
•    testing the fishing/aquaculture circularity self-assessment tool in 11 participating MED territories and monitoring CE business readiness and willingness to involve circularity in their businesses
•    organising Blue Living Labs and targeted transferring activities
•    shifting policy towards Circular Economy
•    systematizing funding opportunities for blue CE innovation business investment.

Expected Immediate Results:
•    Consolidated knowledge base: hosted in BLUEfasma online platform; systematizing best practices, tools, solutions and methods in fishing/aquaculture
•    Circular Economy readiness index: demonstrated in BLUEfasma online platform; used as a unified MED measure of SMEs readiness willingness to invest in CE and act as a smart decision support tool. The index will have high transferability to any coastal/insular area.
•    BLUEfasma e-network: will be established to facilitate experience exchange networking among all actors of fishing/aquaculture sector
•    Blue Livings Labs (BLLs): to integrate RI and create user-centered open innovation ecosystems focused on circularity increase in fishing/aquaculture
•    BLUEfasma Capacity Building Instrument: to integrate financing/mentoring/coaching opportunities for RI business investment in fishing/aquaculture

You can find more information regarding this project in the following links: https://bluefasma.interreg-med.eu/ and http://bluefasma.upatras.gr/


  - UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLAR IN TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING

  Since 2011 the Study Unit has established an undergraduate student scholar award - awarded to up to 2 students obtaining the best performance in the courses of traffic and transport engineering. A certificate is provided, which is useful for those interested in graduate studies.


  - ITS PROGRAM DEGREE

  Since 2010 the Study Unit has established the ITS program degree – awarded to scientists of various specialties and to professionals interested in specialising in this rapidly developing field.

  Director of the ITS program is Professor Yorgos Stephanedes.


  - PROFESSIONAL BODIES

  The Study Unit is member of ITS HELLAS, which represents the International ITS in Greece.


  - FACULTY

  Professor Yorgos Stephanedes (tel. 2610-996593, fax: 2610-996565 email: yjste@upatras.gr)

  Professor Evangelos Matsoukis (tel. 2610-997647, fax: 2610-996565 email: mats@upatras.gr and emats.glyfada@tee.gr)

  The Study Unit involves 1 teaching assistant, 5 PhD candidates, 2 graduate students, and 2 research associates.
  The PhD candidates are: Dimitra Chondrogianni, Marina Kouta, Konstantina Marousi, Athanasios Koukounaris and Panagiota-Georgia Saranti.

  Responsible for the Study Unit is Professor Yorgos Stephanedes.