The 2024 infographic of NTUA Road Safety Observatory (www.nrso.ntua.gr) highlights one more very intensive and highly fruitful year. The nrso scientific team with high dedication, efficiency and expertise continues to grow and excel, being active in 31 innovative research projects, succeeded to publish 55 scientific papers (21 in peer reviewed journals), and travelled around the world in hundreds of meetings to develop and promote road safety science. The 30 Marathons campaign for promoting 30km/h city-wide speed limit was also successfully completed, contributing actively to the culture of calm and safe streets everywhere and for all. 

A paper titled Driving Automation Systems Penetration and Traffic Safety: Implications for Infrastructure Design and Policy authored by Antonia Antonakaki, Maria Oikonomou, Thodoris Garefalakis and George Yannis has been published in Infrastructures. The study aims to evaluate the impact of Autonomous Vehicle (AV) penetration rates on traffic safety, through the use of microscopic simulation scenarios, utilizing multiple linear and multinomial logistic regression models. The findings highlight that higher AV penetration rates generally improve traffic safety, although the coexistence of conventional vehicles and vehicles equipped with driving automation systems introduces traffic heterogeneity, potentially influencing safety outcomes. These results suggest that while AVs have a positive effect on road safety, further analysis is needed to address the complexities introduced by mixed-traffic conditions. 

A paper titled Explainable macroscopic and microscopic influences of COVID-19 on naturalistic driver aggressiveness derived from telematics through SHAP values of SVM and XGBoost algorithms authored by Apostolos Ziakopoulos, Marios Sekadakis, Christos Katrakazas, Marianthi Kallidoni, Eva Michelaraki and George Yannis  has been published in Journal of Safety Research. This study aims to quantify the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on driver behavior as expressed by harsh accelerations (HA) measured from over 35,5000 naturalistic driving trips by smartphone telematics data using advanced machine learning algorithms, including SVM and XGBoost, combined with SHAP values. Key findings indicate that high speeding, total trip distance, and trip duration are associated with increased HA counts. Drivers perform more HAs on speeds between 30–50 km/h, while after 50 km/h, the contributions of speed lead to fewer HAs. Pandemic measurements were more influential on HA counts compared to policy measures taken by the state. 

CRC Press has recently published a book written by Peter Sweatman titled “Approaches to Road Safety: Evolution, Challenges, and Emerging Technologies”. It examines the evolution of safety practices, explores the role of emerging technologies such as connected and automated vehicles in achieving safer roads and highlights ongoing challenges in reducing traffic injuries and fatalities, including the strategies of Vision Zero and the safe system. Offering valuable insights, this book will appeal to professionals in the fields of safety, human factors, the automotive industry, traffic control, vehicle standards and regulations, transportation systems and road safety policy. 

A new book titled Using Artificial Intelligence to Solve Transportation Problems edited by Aleksander Sładkowski has been recently published. This book offers a comprehensive exploration of AI and digitalization solutions for diverse transportation challenges. The monograph examines various problems in the transport industry that find their solutions using AI, from fully autonomous vehicles to the use of AI as an assistant in solving logistics problems, using different approaches that exist in different countries, with different levels of economic development or well-being of the population. NTUA actively contributed with the following chapter, co-authored by Apostolos Ziakopoulos and George Yannis:

• Key Artificial Intelligence and Digitalization Solutions Towards Vision Zero in Road Safety

The Horizon Europe research project metaCCAZE has recently released the metaCCAZE 2nd Newsletter, which provides information on the latest outcomes of the EU-funded metaCCAZE project aiming to accelerate the deployment of smart systems that combine electric, automated and connected technologies and infrastructure, enabling zero-emission shared mobility services for both passengers and goods in European cities. Celebrating its first anniversary, metaCCAZE has made significant strides in its mission. The newsletter highlights the advancements in the four Trailblazer Cities—Amsterdam, Munich, Limassol, and Tampere—as they develop and implement innovative mobility solutions. These cities serve as pioneers in adopting and testing the project’s MetaInnovations toolkit. In addition to the Trailblazer Cities, six Follower Cities—Athens, Krakow, Gonzo, Milan, Miskolc, and the Paris region—are actively participating in the project. They are preparing to implement and demonstrate successful use cases and MetaInnovations, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and best practices across Europe. The newsletter also announces an Open Call for metaCCAZE Observer Cities, inviting additional municipalities to join the initiative. This expansion aims to broaden the project’s impact, fostering a collaborative environment for cities to share experiences and strategies in advancing zero-emission shared mobility services. 

The Male and Female Road Users Thematic Report of the E-Survey of Road Users’ Safety Attitudes (ESRA) has been published, as prepared by the Université Gustave Eiffel, with the support of  of NTUA. This report explores gender-based differences in self-declared risky behaviors, risk perception, and support for road safety policies across 39 countries. Results indicate that men engage more frequently in risky behaviors compared to women, while women exhibit higher support for road safety policies and greater risk perception. Notably, gender differences are less pronounced among cyclists and motorcyclists compared to car drivers.  

The Cyclists Thematic Report of the E-Survey of Road Users’ Safety Attitudes (ESRA) has been published, as prepared by DTU, with the support of  of NTUA. The report provides comprehensive insights into the frequency of cycling, infrastructure usage, and self-declared safety behaviors among cyclists in 39 countries. Key findings indicate that the Netherlands and Denmark lead in frequent bicycle use, while cycling without a helmet and listening to music are the most common risky behaviors. Recommendations include improving cycling infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, and encouraging helmet use among male cyclists​.  

The Support for policy measures and enforcement Thematic Report of the E-Survey of Road Users’ Safety Attitudes (ESRA) has been published, as prepared by SWOV, with the support of NTUA. This report analyzes public support for key road safety measures (e.g., drink-driving policies, speed limits, helmet mandates) and the perceived and actual enforcement of road safety laws. Results reveal strong regional variations, with higher support for helmet use and alcohol interlocks in America8 and AsiaOceania6. Results indicate that gender and age disparities influence attitudes towards these policies​ significantly.  

The Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, drugs or medication Thematic Report of the E-Survey of Road Users’ Safety Attitudes (ESRA) has been published, as prepared by VIAS Institute, with the support of NTUA. The report provides a detailed analysis of self-declared behaviors, perceived acceptability, and attitudes towards impaired driving across 39 countries in Europe, America, and Asia-Oceania. Key findings show notable differences between regions, with higher self-declared DUI rates in Luxembourg, Thailand and Mexico, while countries like Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Japan report the lowest rates. The report also highlights the role of enforcement perception and the need for improved DUI countermeasures​.  

Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety has been awarded the prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award 2024 as recognition for its Accountability Toolkit, developed with the active contribution of NTUA. This Accountability Toolkit is an innovative product that equips NGOs to help their governments fulfill their accountability for reducing road deaths and injuries and the 2030 targets. The Toolkit is a practical resource for NGOs and other civil society advocates and is underpinned by five Priority Interventions that have been proven to be among the most effective in reducing road deaths and injuries. 

The International Transport Forum (ITF) has recently published a new Report titled “Measuring New Mobility: Case Studies and Best Practices“. The Report features case studies from various countries, focusing on new mobility services such as ride-sharing, micro-mobility, and autonomous vehicles. Key findings emphasize the importance of robust data collection and analysis methods to assess the safety, efficiency, and environmental impacts of these services. The report provides recommendations for policymakers to design effective frameworks for integrating new mobility into existing transport systems.  

The European Council has recently adopted the negotiating position on driving disqualifications in order to improve road safety in the EU aimed at improving road safety through the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications across EU member states. This initiative focuses on strengthening enforcement measures for serious traffic offenses, such as speeding, driving under the influence, and dangerous driving, ensuring that penalties are upheld across borders. The proposed rules aim to enhance road safety by closing legal gaps that allow offenders to evade penalties when driving in other EU countries. 

A paper titled Predicting risky driving behavior with classification algorithms: results from a large-scale field-trial and simulator experiment authored by Thodoris Garefalakis, Eva Michelaraki, Stella Roussou  Christos Katrakazas, Tom Brijs and George Yannis has been published in European Transport Research Review. The study analyzed large-scale data from real-world driving and simulator experiments, highlighting that models can predict dangerous behaviors, such as speeding and harsh braking, with accuracy rates as high as 84%. The findings emphasize the importance of using data-driven approaches to anticipate and mitigate risky behaviors, which are a leading cause of road crashes. This research reinforces the need for innovative tools to create safer driving environments and reduce accident risks. 

A paper titled Spatial analysis of telematics-based surrogate safety measures authored by Dimitrios Nikolaou, Apostolos Ziakopoulos, Armira Kontaxi, Athanasios Theofilatos and George Yannis  has been published in Journal of Safety Research. This study investigates the effects of traffic calming measures such as speed humps, chicanes, and roundabouts on road safety, air quality, and noise pollution. The findings reveal that implementing traffic calming strategies such as speed humps, chicanes, and roundabouts can reduce traffic crashes by more than 25%, with a remarkable 40% decrease in severe injuries involving vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. These measures also encourage safer driving behaviors by lowering vehicle speeds, which significantly enhances safety in densely populated urban areas. 

An open-access book titled “Shared Mobility Revolution: Pioneering Autonomous Horizons” was recently published under the framework of the Horizon 2020 project SHOW (SHared automation Operating models for Worldwide adoption). This book reports on technologies and business models focusing on supporting the deployment of shared, connected, and electrified automation in urban transport. Chapters discuss practical issues concerning mobility data management, strategies to improve user acceptance and engagement, and reports on assessment and simulation techniques to test shared automated shuttles in various contexts. These discussions provide valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers shaping user-centered, sustainable future automated mobility. NTUA actively contributed with the following chapter, co-authored by Maria Oikonomou, Marios Sekadakis, Apostolos Ziakopoulos and George Yannis:

• Integrated Traffic Simulation Developer Suite for Shared Automated Mobility

A paper titled “The HADRIAN novel human–machine interface prototype for automated driving: safety and impact assessment” authored by Marios Sekadakis, Marianthi Kallidoni, Christos Katrakazas, Sandra Trösterer, Cyril Marx, Peter Moertl and George Yannis has been published in European Transport Research Review. The study, assesses the impact of innovative Human–Machine Interface (HMI) prototypes on safety, driving performance, and driver perceptions, focusing on automated driving at SAE Levels 2 or 3. A tailored safety and impact assessment methodology, incorporating Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), highlighted key features that contributed to improved safety and perceived effectiveness. These results suggest that HADRIAN HMI reached a remarkable 95% safety score, marking a substantial improvement over the baseline condition. 

The Mobility Unit of DG GROW of the European Commission has recently released a Report titled “Study on the need for harmonised rules to support the rise of micro mobility and increased road safety for personal mobility devices” prepared by Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and FKA GmbH. This report emphasizes the importance of accurate and harmonized data to support evidence-based policymaking and the achievement of Vision Zero targets. The study concluded that enhancing data quality and consistency could reduce road fatalities by up to 50% in some areas, as better data allows for more targeted interventions. The study also highlights gaps in existing data systems, with a particular need for improved reporting on vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, who account for a significant proportion of road fatalities in urban areas. By addressing these challenges, the EU aims to foster a unified approach to road safety, leveraging innovative technologies and methodologies to ensure progress toward safer roads for all. 

A NTUA Diploma Thesis titled “Road Crashes Analysis In Greek Islands” was recently presented by Nikitas Maratos Filippidis. For this purpose, data on monthly arrivals, crashes, and fatalities were collected for 38 Greek islands, which were then divided into four groups based on their geographical location. Subsequently, these correlations were further examined through the development of Generalized Linear Models and Random Forest models using the R programming language. The results showed that arrivals on an island are positively correlated with the number of accidents and fatalities recorded during that period. Additionally, while arrivals were correlated with accidents across each group of islands examined, the results differed, possibly due to better road conditions on islands with high arrival numbers but low accident rates.  

A NTUA Diploma Thesis titled “Analysis of factors influencing traffic conditions changes in Athens” was recently presented by Evi Krini. For this reason, traffic data were collated from selected road segments in Athens, including traffic speed through Google Maps for 62 (road axes) and the hourly traffic volume at 26 points via the Centre for Traffic Management, covering the period from January to July 2022. Additionally, data on weather conditions were gathered, and the final database was completed with geometric road features. Subsequently a Machine Learning algorithm and Cluster Analyses were conducted. The application of the models revealed that traffic metrics are significantly related to the time and type of day (weekday/weekend), with peak traffic volume occurring on weekdays during morning rush hours. Moreover, an increase in temperature is associated with a decrease in traffic volume in the morning and an increase in the evening, while the presence of rain increases low volume of traffic and decreases high traffic speeds.   

A NTUA Diploma Thesis titled “Critical factors of safe micromobility in Greece” was recently presented by Anestis Gkiourtzidis. For this purpose,  descriptive analysis was conducted on a sample of 63 electric scooter users, and 9 binomial logistic regression models were developed based on data from the third edition of the international ESRA survey (E-Survey on Road Users’ Attitudes). The results showed that older users and those who recognize risks such as speed and lack of attention adopt safer practices. Social pressure within an area influences compliance with road safety rules, while women demonstrate more cautious behavior compared to men. Despite the mandatory use of helmets, many users do not comply, indicating the need for stricter enforcement and education. Based on the findings, several recommendations are proposed to improve the road safety of electric scooter users, including stricter law enforcement and targeted improvements to road infrastructure.  

A NTUA Diploma Thesis titled “Analysis of drink and drive on driven behavior and safety in urban environment” was recently presented by Themis Bouropoulou.  To achieve this goal, an experimental procedure was conducted using a driving simulator, through which the driving data of 35 participants were collected. To complete the necessary data collection, participants’ characteristics were also determined through a questionnaire survey. The analysis of the results was done through statistical analysis, specifically by developing statistical models using linear and binomial logistic regression. The main conclusions are that as the amount of alcohol in the body increases, the likelihood of an accident in an urban environment also increases. The distance from the vehicle ahead decreases as alcohol consumption increases. Finally, as the alcohol level in the body rises, the driver’s average reaction time to potential obstacles also increases.  

A NTUA Diploma Thesis titled “Safety Impact Investigation of an automated shuttle service based on network traffic simulation” was recently presented by Maria Takka. For this purpose,  three scenarios were carried out that differed in terms of the percentage of conventional and autonomous vehicles. For data analysis, polynomial logistic regression models were developed for each scenario. The results showed that the speed limit, the maximum deceleration of the second vehicle, the difference in vehicle speeds as observed at the minimum time-to-collision, the initial deceleration rate of the second vehicle, the type of conflict and the traffic capacity have a significant influence on the simulated hazard, which indicates critical conditions for the occurrence of a crash.  

A NTUA Diploma Thesis titled “Preferences of Public Transport passengers towards contactless bank card payments” was recently presented by Konstantinos Fotopoulos. To achieve this objective, data collection was conducted through a questionnaire with focused questions, completed by a large sample of commuters. Subsequently, binary and multinomial logistic regression models were developed. Results indicate that as the difficulties in purchasing tickets decrease and payment security is ensured, passengers are more likely to adopt the new payment and boarding system. In particular, those who seek information about the new system are more likely to embrace it, as they recognize its benefits. Access to information and familiarity with contactless payments play a critical role in strengthening their confidence, making them more open to new payment practices, such as using bank cards or digital wallets.  

A NTUA Diploma Thesis titled “Ιnvestigation of dangerous driving behaviour by exploiting naturalistic driving data” was recently presented by Eleni Theodoraki. To achieve this goal, useful data related to driver behaviour were collected through a naturalistic driving experiment in real-life conditions in Belgium and England combining machine and deep learning algorithms. The results showed that the most significant variables were the occurrence or non-occurrence of harsh acceleration and the occurrence or non-occurrence of harsh braking in Belgium and the total travel distance and the occurrence or non-occurrence of harsh acceleration in England.  

A NTUA Diploma Thesis titled “Critical factors of motorcyclists self-declared behaviour and safety globally” was recently presented by Dimitrios Oikonomou. For this purpose, five Binomial Logistic Regression models were used, exploiting data from the third edition of the ESRA survey (E-Survey on Road Users’ Attitudes). The five dependent variables used concerned riding without a helmet, riding under the influence of alcohol / substances, using mobile phone while riding, and exceeding the speed limit for moped and motorcycle riders. The statistical models confirmed that the independent variables in each model play a key role in self-reported behavior and motorcyclist safety globally. Gender stands out as an important factor, with men more prone to engaging in irregular behaviors. Another significant factor is environmental respect, as drivers who litter on the road are more likely to exhibit such behaviors.  

A NTUA Diploma Thesis titled “Analysis of eco-driving benefits in urban and highway environments using driving simulator” was recently presented by Maria Ioanna Sousouni. To achieve this objective, an experiment was conducted in a driving simulator, and 39 young people participated to collect road data.  The developed statistical models were related to carbon dioxide emission, carbon monoxide emission, nitrogen oxide emission and the accident probability. It was shown that eco-driving contributes to reducing the emission of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and the probability of the driver being involved in an accident. The study showed that urban roads produce fewer pollutants than highways, but the risk of accidents is significantly higher, highlighting a major road safety concern.  

Τhe European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has published the 47th PIN Flash Report titled “Improving Road Safety of E-scooters“. This Report calls for the development of mandatory technical requirements for all e-scooters sold in the European Union, highlighting the need for stronger road safety measures across Europe. Key recommendations include stricter e-scooter safety standards, such as a 20 km/h speed limit, to address rising urban safety concerns. Enhanced regulations aim to ensure safer roads for all users.  

A paper titled “Effectiveness of 30 km/h speed limit – A literature review” authored by George Yannis and Eva Michelaraki has been published in Journal of Safety Research. This study evaluates the impact of 30 km/h speed limits on road safety, emissions, fuel consumption, traffic flow, livability and public health. Results from 60 simulation studies and estimations demonstrated significant reductions of over 40% of road crash fatalities, alongside significant subsequent increase of active travelling (pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooters) and Public Transport passengers, as mobility conditions become more user friendly to the vulnerable road users. Such a high societal impact for such a small change in our habits. 

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has published a Position Paper titled “EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 Funds for Road Safety“. In this paper, ETSC presents recommendations for funding for road safety initiatives within the next long-term EU budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). These recommendations should support work towards meeting EU’s Vision Zero target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, paving the way for safer roads across Europe.