A network of interventions in the road network and public transport are needed to solve the daily problem of traffic congestion in Kifissos, where thousands of drivers are “trapped” for hours, especially during peak hours.

According to the President of the Association of Greek Transport Engineers, Thanasis Tsianos, the heavy traffic load in Kifissos cannot be solved by interventions only on this axis, but needs a general improvement – expansion – upgrading of the M.M.M in the whole of Attica and promotion of multimodal movements .

In fact, as he characteristically mentioned, the latest study prepared by the State for Ave. Kifissou was the year 2007.

“Improving delays on Ave. Kifissou, it cannot be solved by interventions only on this axis. We need a network of interventions in the wider road network and in the M.M.M.. We are talking about networks and not about individual roads. And this is because the user always chooses the shortest route. It is critical that the shortest route is made either via M.M.M. either through regional free-flow networks. The long delays on Ave. Kifisou should be reduced, because they burden the rest of the roads (e.g. Thivon, Kifisias Avenue, etc.) from drivers who are looking to find alternative routes.

In particular for the operation and management of Ave. There are many tools and proposals on the table for us transportation experts, which should be studied in order to initiate actions,” he said.

The immediate measures that can be taken on the axis of Ave. Kifissou

The first and basic measure is the upgrading of road safety. There has been a road safety audit study by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport since 2008, in which the risks and actions to be taken have been identified.

The police cameras that should be installed on Ave. Kifissou will help significantly in this direction. Also critical is the immediate response to accidents in the best possible way, as well as increasing traffic capacity at critical points.

In any case, measures should be taken to manage the traffic of heavy vehicles. These measures should also be restrictive during peak hours. The anticipated transfer of logistics facilities from the botanist to the Tribe will help, but alone is not enough.

Measures to improve the operation and frequency of Line 1 (electric) and to extend it north to Varibompi and Agios Stefanos are also necessary. In general, there is a need for improvement – expansion – upgrading of M.M.M in the whole of Attica and the need to promote multimodal transportation. An effort to upgrade the M.M.M. has started today. which, however, will also take time. It must also be combined with the implementation of parking spaces as transfer stations for MMMs.

Can the traffic problem be addressed only with Kifissos or should there be arrangements on other central avenues as well?

The problem is found in several cases and one affects the other. It is clear that significant funds are required, especially in the current state of the transport system, after a decade of disinvestment (financial crisis). If we wanted to prioritize these interventions they would be:

* Transport security measures

* Maintenance and smart management of the existing network and M.M.M.

* Upgrade and expansion of M.M.M.

* New regional road projects with the ultimate goal of taking sustainable mobility measures (restriction of cars) in the center of the Municipalities.

“The point is for the citizen to move quickly and economically. We have to go to multimodal transportation. Anyone designing just for M.M.M. or only for the cars or only for the bicycle, it is certain that it works fragmentarily and incorrectly”, emphasized Mr. Tsianos.