What comes to mind when thinking about Athens? Probably something along the lines of high temperatures, temples, traffic jams and tourism. A combination of these challenges is tackled by the ‘Athens Great Walk’ (AGW) – an initiative from the city administration to prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooters through the implementation of several new mobility interventions across the axis through the historic centre of the Greek capital.
The PHOEBE project partner National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) assed the AGW as part of the wider pilot initiative to enhance road safety of vulnerable road users (VRUs). The following article highlights several publications of our partners from Athens concerning the AGW and its promotion of VRU safety across the Greek capital.
An overview of Athens
What is the traffic situation in Athens?
Athens is the 8th most congested city in Europe, according to the TomTom Traffic Index, which is driven by high vehicle ownership, with 816 out of 1,000 residents owning cars. Car-centric planning forces many citizens to rely on private vehicles, which worsens congestion. Additionally, changes in street design and installation of public transport solutions are difficult – especially in the historic centre of Athens.
What is the aim of the Athens Great Walk?
The AGW project reshapes the cityscape by prioritising pedestrians, cyclists, and sustainable transport. It integrates cycling lanes, wider pavements, and scooter-friendly zones, enhancing safety and promoting active travel for a more liveable, eco-friendly urban environment.
Summary of NTUA papers
Critical travel time impact factors at the implementation of the Athens Great Walk
The paper examines the key factors influencing travel time in Athens during the pilot implementation of the AGW, an urban mobility initiative aimed at enhancing transport efficiency. The study analyses travel time data collected from 12 central routes using the Google Maps API, combined with traffic volume and road geometry characteristics.
The findings indicate that travel time is significantly affected by motorised traffic, active transport modes, and road characteristics. A higher share of private cars generally reduces travel time, while increased bus and pedestrian volumes tend to lengthen it. Other influential factors include the number of traffic lanes, peak periods, and the presence of bus lanes. The expansion of traffic lanes unexpectedly led to longer travel times, likely due to increased vehicle inflows and illegal parking.
Results highlight the need to balance motorised and non-motorised transport interventions to alleviate congestion and improve urban mobility in Athens.
Read the full paper here.
Critical impact factors of pedestrian traffic combining multiple data sources in Athens
The study analyses factors influencing pedestrian traffic in central Athens during the Athens Great Walk pilot phase, an urban regeneration initiative promoting sustainable mobility. Two surveys were conducted: one collected pedestrian travel data via questionnaires and another recorded pedestrian volume.
Results showcase that pedestrian traffic increases near shops, and active transport modes, and reduces heavy vehicle flow. Areas with mixed land use saw slightly lower pedestrian volumes. Traffic interventions, including widened sidewalks and dedicated lanes, encouraged walking. Initial lane reductions boosted pedestrian movement, and even after vehicle space was restored, foot traffic remained high.
Overall, the study recommends widening pavements, creating green routes, and enhancing public transport to improve walkability and support sustainable urban mobility.
Read the full paper here.
Traffic impacts of innovative traffic and parking arrangements in Athens
The impact of innovative traffic and parking arrangements as part of the city’s SUMP is analysed in this paper. Due to high traffic congestion, interventions such as widening pavements, prioritising pedestrians and public transport, and implementing parking regulations were assessed.
Using traffic simulation models, various scenarios were tested, focusing on changes to major roads, speed limits, and vehicle restrictions in key districts. The results demonstrated a shift towards sustainable transport modes, with increased public transport efficiency and improved pedestrian conditions.
The study concludes that such interventions enhance urban mobility, road safety, and environmental sustainability, encouraging further expansion of similar policies across Athens.
Read the full paper here.