TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING STUDY UNIT
The Transport and Traffic Engineering Study Unit of the University of Patras(founded in 1991) operates with a primary target of promoting teaching and research in the fields of Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning.
The main activities of the Study Unit include:
1. Lecturing and supervision of students' projects in the following subjects:
UNDERGRATUATE
Traffic Engineering
Urban Traffic Planning
Airports and Air Transport Systems
Transport Analysis and Planning I
Advanced Transport Systems
Transport Analysis and Planning II
Intelligent Transport Systems
POSTGRADUATE
Advanced Issues in the Analysis and Planning of Transport Systems
Special Issues of Transport and Transport Works Management
Advanced Issues in Airport Planning
2.
Research projects based on the development of mathematical models for assessing the dynamic nature of transport systems and traffic, dynamic forecasting algorithms - detection - control, modeling, simulation and evaluation, and use of intelligent hardware and software. The whole work is classified in various areas, depending on the research field. These areas governing four research pillars, are:
a. Intelligent Transport Systems - ITS
ITS systems aim at drastically improving the information, travel and security.
Specifically:
i. Incident Management Models covering all phases of incident management, ie, Detection, Incident Response, Confirmation and real-time support algorithms engineering and computer vision (machine vision / computer vision) in ITS systems environment.
ii. Macroscopic assessment, prediction and control of road traffic incident. Dynamic algorithms developed in an environment of non-linear dynamics of movement with an emphasis on assessment of precursor incident and near miss incident under circulatory shock (shock wave) and cluster development (cluster).
iii. Microscopic prediction, detection and control of road traffic incident.
Models of risk assessment are developed based on the microscopic behavior of vehicle and models of drive motion estimation in order to optimize travel and avoid the incident.
b. Multimodal Transport Systems - MTS
i. Macroscopic detection and risk assessment - providing optimum incident safety and protection in the intermodal and transit hubs, including ports and airports.
ii. Microscopic evaluation of vehicle position using computer vision algorithms to intermodal and transit hubs, including ports and airports.
c. Sustainable Transport Systems - STS
i. Assessment and prediction multimodal behavioral support telematics
for converting conventional to sustainable modes of transport, operating in interaction with online social networks and guarantee response in real time (eg dynamic Carpool (dynamic carpooling) in combination with driving without a guide).
ii. Dynamic effects models using vector autoregressive (vector autoregression), pattern recognition (pattern recognition), neural networks (neural networks), genetic algorithms (genetic algorithms).
d. Cybernetics Transport Infrastructure Systems - CTI
Algorithms are developed for integrated self-organizing systems, transportation infrastructure using cybernetics and automated electronic systems demand in order to offer active support innovation in the transport sector.
The development of this research work is supported by modeling intermodal and transit nodes (eg port of Patras, Araxos airport), and very-large and major road networks and is based on the analysis of real data from urban and metropolitan networks, eg Minneapolis USA, Barcelona, Oslo, Athens.
For this analysis a continuous effort is given to develop algorithms for processing large volumes of data real time using special processing methods (supercomputing).
3. Applied Studies. Traffic Engineering Studies in cities and urban areas. Pedestrianization studies. Bicycle routes planning. Study of 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. Specialized micro-computer applications. Environmental Impact of traffic and transport operation assessment studies.
4. Conferences’ organization
The Study Unit has organized 8 International and Greek Conferences, as following:
- December 2001: International Conference on Airports and Air Transport ”Evolutions in the 21st Century”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras,
- May 2003 :International Conference “Modern Tram and L.R.T. Systems”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras.
- May 2004: International Conference “Traffic Signals-Recent Developments. Transport Telematics”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras.
- October 2005 :3 rd Panellenic Conference on Road Safety, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras,
- June 2007 :International Conference « ROADS OF THE FUTURE», Conference Center, Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, Athens,
- May 2008 :International Conference « TRANSPORT SECURITY», Conference Center, Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, Athens.
- October 2011 :International Conference “ITS 2011:Innovation and Society”, Conference & Cultural Center of the University of Patras.
- May 2012 :International Conference « ΙTS 2012»( with the co-operation of the University of Cyprus), Conference Center , University of Cyprus, Nicosia,
- April 2013 :International Conference « ΙTS 2013»( with the co-operation of the University of Cyprus), Conference Center , University of Cyprus, Nicosia,
- Proceedings of the above conferences can be traced through the electronic address www.spoudmet.civil.upatras.gr.
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
There are also numerous computers with state-of-the-art software, appropriate for applications in the fields of traffic and transport planning .
The software includes –among other- the AUTOSCOPE, SATURN and AIMSUN programs.
There exists also an extensive library of final year studies carried out by civil engineering graduates in the subjects of transport and traffic engineering
Research Projects
The Study Unit has undertaken a large number of funded projects. 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 (2003-2004)
- «Traffic Management Study for the City of Patras» Region of Western Greece ( 2005-2006).
- «Improvement of traffic conditions ». Municipality o f Maroussi(2008)
- «Traffic Investigation of the city of Lefkada». Municipality of Lefkada(2010)
- «Traffic planning-Municipality of Zakynthos». THISSEAS program (2011)
- « Dynamic Car Pooling». (2011).Info are given in the following address: www.dynamo-project.eu
- «Improvement of the traffic condiotions in the Municipality of Sparti ». (2012)
- “Integrated Accessibility and Routing Guidance Platform for Safe Multimodal Transport In Sustainable Smart Ports and Regions”. (2013 - )
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’ SCHOLAR IN TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC ENG.
Since 2011 the Study Unit has established an undergraduate students’ scholar- awarded up to 2 students obtaining the best average degree in the courses of traffic and transport. A relevant certificate is provided , which is useful for those interested in postgraduate studies.
ITS PROGRAM DEGREE
Since 2010 the Study Unit has established an ITS program degree- awarded to scientists of various specialties and to individuals interested to obtain knowledge in this radically developed professional field .
Director of the ITS program is
Professor G. Stefanedes.
PROFESSIONAL BODIES
The Study Unit is member of the ITS Hellas Organization, which represents the International ITS in Greece.
Personnel
Faculty
Professor George Stefanedes tel. 2610-996593, fax : 2610-996593 email:
yjste@upatras.gr
Professor Evangelos Matsoukis tel. 2610-997647, fax : 2610-997573 email:
mats@upatras.gr και
Emats.glyfada@tee.gr
The personnel also involves 1 teaching assistant , 2 PhD candidates, a mumber of postgraduate students and 1 extenal research associate.
Rresponsible for the Study Unit is
Professor Evangelos Matsoukis