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OLYMPIC GAMES "ATHENS 2004"
"Olympic Road Transport Safety"

By Major General of the Hellenic Army, ret. P. LANGARIS
Former Deputy Director of the Anti-Terrorist Service of the Hellenic Police.

Olympic Road Transport Safety is inextricably linked to the Safety of the 2004 Olympic Games and constitutes an integral part of the entire problem.
To address this partial problem, the Special "Operational Plan for Olympic Road Transport Safety" was prepared and is being gradually implemented by the Olympic Games Security Directorate (OGS), in collaboration with the competent Traffic Police Services, the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games "ATHENS 2004" (OAOC) and the other involved bodies, and concerns the management of traffic needs in the Prefecture of Attica and the Olympic cities during the period of the Olympic Games.
Specifically, according to the relevant official presentation of the "Olympic Road Transport Safety Operational Plan" made at the Ministry of Public Order, this Plan includes the following elements:
Purpose:
The daily transportation of thousands of athletes, journalists, spectators and members of the Olympic Family, as well as the daily operations of the city, is a complex undertaking that will play a significant role in the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The purpose of the Plan is to create conditions for comfortable, smooth, fast and safe traffic, during the road travel of all participants in the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Athletes, Referees-Judges, Officials, Journalists, Sponsors, Spectators, Construction Personnel, etc.), both on the Olympic Road Network and on the rest of the Road Network, as well as at the event-visit venues, without excessively burdening the city's functions in the field of traffic.
Business Theater:
The Olympic Operations Theater covers:
• The prefecture of Attica.
• The Olympic Cities (Thessaloniki, Volos, Patras, Heraklion and Ancient Olympia).
• The National Road Network for access to the Olympic Cities.
• The places where cultural events will take place, as well as places to visit (archaeological sites, museums, etc.).
Basic Design Components:
The basic components of the design include:
• The Characterization of the Road Network.
• The Definition of an Olympic Strip.
• The Creation of Zones.
• The Bus Lanes.
• The Olympic Family's fleet of vehicles.
• Analysis of the measures.
• The Development of Forces.
• Traffic accidents.
Road Network Characterization:
The Olympic Road Network, with a total length of 605 km, consists of the Olympic Ring, the Primary and Secondary road networks.
On the map of the prefecture of Attica, the Olympic Ring is depicted in blue.
The Olympic Ring, 36,6 km long, is bounded by Kifissos Avenue (at its connection with Attiki Odos), Poseidonos Avenue, Syggrou Avenue, Kallirois, Ardittou Avenue, Vas. Konstantinou Avenue, Vas. Sofias Avenue, Kifisias Avenue (until its connection with Attiki Odos) where it ends with Attiki Odos.
The Primary Road Network is shown in red, which is 238,4 km long and consists of traffic arteries, such as Katehaki, Kapodistriou, Kymis Avenue, Petrou Ralli, Athinon Avenue, Vari-Koropiou Avenue, etc.
Almost all of the Olympic Family's travel is planned to take place on the Olympic Ring and the Primary Road Network.
Finally, the Secondary Olympic Road Network, 330 km long, is outlined in green, which consists of the following avenues and streets: Mesogeion, Vouliagmeni, Thebes, Penteli, etc.
The Secondary Road Network will be used alternatively, provided there is a special reason for this purpose.
The Olympic Road Network is complemented by its Connecting Roads, the Environmental Road Network and Access Network to the facilities and the Other Road Network, which covers the wider urban areas.
Olympic Stripes:
For the comfortable and safe movement of accredited vehicles, exclusive Olympic Lanes are being created, which will cover the entire Olympic Ring and a large part of the Primary Road Network.
Exclusively accredited vehicles of the Olympic Family, special buses for transporting spectators of the games (EXPRESS buses), as well as emergency vehicles (Ambulance, Security Authorities) will be allowed to operate in the Olympic Lanes.
The Lanes will be created on the left side of the roadway and will be strictly policed ​​to prevent the movement of other vehicles, stopping and parking, and generally the placement of obstacles.
Zones:
Around the Competition Facilities and certain non-competition facilities, the creation of two (2) distinct Zones is planned:
• Controlled Entry and Traffic Zone (Z.E.E.K).
• Controlled Parking Zone (C.P.Z.).
In the schematic representation we observe the Zones design model. Specifically, we see a facility, down to its external fencing, as well as the accesses to it.
The Controlled Entry and Traffic Zone (Z.E.E.K.) is shown in red around the perimeter, the width of which ranges from 50 to 400 meters. Only accredited vehicles are allowed to enter the Z.E.E.K.
Next in yellow is the Controlled Parking Zone (C.P.Z.), whose width ranges from 100 to 1.000 meters. In the C.P.Z., all vehicles are allowed to circulate, but stopping and parking are controlled.
Map of Z.E.E.K. and Z.E.S. of Goudi:
Here we see the installation in Goudi in purple, where the Featherweight and Modern Pentathlon will be held.
The Z.E.E.K. is shown in red and the Z.E.S. is shown in yellow.
Z.E.E.K.:
Mesogeion-Messinia Avenue, Aigio, Zichni, Papadiamantopoulou, Louloudion, Papandreou G. Avenue, Megalou Alexandrou, E. Kokkinopoulou, P. Kanellopoulou (Katehaki) Avenue.
Z.E.S.:
Mesogeion Avenue, Arcadia, Levadia, Thivon, Captain Spiliotopoulou, Agenoros, E. Kokkinopoulou, P. Kanellopoulou (Katehaki).
Bus lanes in Attica Prefecture:
The fleet that will serve the transportation needs of the Olympic Family consists of 1.284 buses and 3.350 private cars.
• Athlete Buses: 350
• Journalist Buses: 580
• Other Buses: 220
• Ergatotechnikou buses
Facilities Staff: 134
TOTAL 1.284
• Cars for T1 – T3: 2.200
• Reserve Cars (Tank Cars): 110
• Minivan for Technical Staff: 250
• Other minivans: 190
• National Olympic Committees cars: 600
TOTAL 3.350

ENVIRONMENT ROAD NETWORK AND ACCESS NETWORK

The surrounding road network and access network covers:
• The places of arrival and departure (ports, airports, train stations, etc.).
• The competitive and non-competitive sports facilities and training centers.
• Event and visit venues.
• The movement routes of the Olympic Family.
• Open road events.
• Accommodation and hospitality areas (Olympic Village, Hotels, Press Villages, Referees' and Judges' Homes).
• The Olympic Hospitals.
• Public Transport stations and their departure points.
• The points of major road junctions where public transport converges.
Analysis of Measures:
According to the plan, the Traffic Police measures include:
• Continuous and strict preventive policing, which consists of conducting pedestrian and vehicle patrols to prevent stopping and parking, along road axes but also on sidewalks and pavements, in order to ensure continuous traffic flow, not to obstruct vehicle and pedestrian traffic and to prevent traffic accidents.
• Intensive and strict policing of Olympic Lanes and Bus Lanes for unhindered movement of Public Transport.
• Formation of traffic control teams, on a 24-hour basis.
• Installation of stationary traffic controllers, who, in addition to regulating traffic, ensure in their area of ​​responsibility the prevention of stopping and parking of vehicles.
• Continuous and visible presence of the Traffic Police in areas where public transport converges.
• Deployment of traffic police officers at museums, archaeological sites, etc. to facilitate traffic.
• Aerial surveillance (with 3 helicopters and 1 airship) of the general and specific traffic situation with the possibility of transferring images to THEPEK through the OKA.
• Facilitation – service for people with special needs.
• Monitoring of the road network by THEPEK surveillance cameras.
• Informing road users with electronic variable message signs.
• Photographic recording of violations through special devices.
• Immediate removal of vehicles with cranes.
• Use of traffic density measurement sensors and corresponding adjustment-application of traffic light programs.
• Special Measures for opening and closing ceremonies.
Traffic Accidents:
In order to prevent traffic accidents, the implementation of the Ministry of Public Order's program "Road Safety 2001-2005" continues, which includes a strong presence of pedestrian and vehicle-mounted Traffic Police forces on the road network, the carrying out of systematic and intensive traffic controls and the certification, in particular, of those violations that are causes of traffic accidents or exacerbate their consequences, with full utilization of electronic and technical means.
For the investigation and response to traffic accidents, the exclusive use of 57 Traffic Police Investigation Stations on the Olympic Road Network is foreseen.
At the same time, the availability of crane-tow trucks has been ensured for the movement-towing of vehicles or the transportation of obstacles for the rapid release of the road network.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION – SUPPORT MECHANISM

Management Structure:
The Traffic Police measures will be implemented by the existing Services, with reinforced force and means. The Services that will be involved in the implementation of the plan are the following: Attica Traffic Police Directorate, Thessaloniki Traffic Police Directorate, Achaia Traffic Police Directorate, Ilia Traffic Police Directorate, Heraklion Traffic Police Directorate, Magnesia Traffic Police Directorate.

Coordination:
The management of traffic in the prefecture of Attica and the coordination of the actions of all Services and Bodies involved in traffic will be carried out by the Traffic Monitoring and Control Operations Room, the construction work of which has almost been completed.
The Traffic Police Department is a Police Service directly subordinate to the Attica Traffic Police Directorate with a Commander, Deputy Commander, Shift Manager, etc.
Representatives from the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of State and Mass Media, the Olympic Transport Center of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Fire Department and other transportation agencies will participate in the THEPEK.
Housed in the G.A.D.A. are: The Traffic Police Operations Center and the System Operators and the Olympic Transport Center of the Hellenic Olympic and Paralympic Organization with the representatives of the Organizations.
Traffic Monitoring and Control Operations Room (THEPEK):
The Center is structured at 3 levels: Detection, Verification, Response.
The first level (detection) provides the ability to automatically identify and notify operators of the point on the road network where a traffic problem occurs.
At the second level (verification), operators, through the images of the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, have the opportunity to verify the automatic announcement and determine the cause of the problem, which can come from anything, a stop or parking, an accident, etc.
At the third level (treatment), the necessary actions of relaxation, mitigation, and relief are taken, which may be:
• Regulation of traffic lights, by selecting appropriate pre-prepared programs or by implementing programs in extreme cases.
• Informing drivers through variable message signs, so that they can modify their itinerary, so as not to add to the problem and to facilitate their movement. Also with websites that will exist on the Internet, for this purpose and
• Dispatch to the location of the competent bodies to take action (investigation vehicle, crane if necessary, first aid station, etc.).
• Coordination in the Olympic Cities will be carried out by the existing Operational Centers which have been upgraded for this purpose and interconnected with the Olympic Security Center (G.A.D.A.).
THEPEK Job Positions:
A total of 50 executives from all the aforementioned entities will be employed at THEPEK.
Staff:
A total of 2.674 Police Officers, 395 from the Armed Forces, 812 Security Volunteers and 59 Craftsmen will be used to implement the Plan.
Personnel Training:
For the most complete professional training of the Police Officers, who will take Traffic Police measures to meet the increased demands of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the following were carried out:
• General Training on transport safety issues, traffic management, crowd management and psychology of a controlled offender, evacuation of facilities, behavior towards people with special needs and understanding their particularities and serving them, traffic accidents, taking traffic and safety measures during the movements of officials, etc.
• Special Training: In fast driving of patrol cars and investigation of traffic accidents.
Equipment – ​​Means:
The following technical means will be used for traffic surveillance and policing: 546 traffic monitoring cameras, through which images and data will be transferred in real time to THEPEK and the Traffic Management Center of the Ministry of Environment, Public Works and Public Works for appropriate utilization, 17 cameras to record violations, 29 variable message signs through which all road users will be informed about traffic conditions.
3 helicopters and 1 airship will transmit images to THEPEK regarding the prevailing traffic conditions. The helicopters have the ability to image from a height of 1.000 feet and the airship 2.000 feet.
The TETRA Digital Co-Channel Radio Network will be the primary means of communication for Traffic Police operations in Attica.
This achieves complete security of communications, through the use of a large number of communication channels, the creation of closed and open user groups, and the exclusion of any interference or eavesdropping on conversations.
At the same time, all vehicles will be equipped with AVL, i.e. a device that tracks their location in real time, resulting in better management and immediate response to incidents.
Traffic Police Equipment – ​​Vehicles:
The Traffic Police equipment and resources that will be used during the Olympic and Paralympic Games are shown in detail in the table:

EQUIPMENT - ATTICA THESSALONIKI VOLOS PATRA HERAKLIO ILIAS TOTAL
INSIDE

HELICOPTER 3 – – – – – 3
AIRPLANE 1 – – – – – 1
PATROL 217 25 12 14 15 10 293
TWO-WHEELS 295 15 12 16 26 12 376
INTERROGATIVE QUESTIONS 42 5 2 2 2 2 53
CRANE 50 5 – 1 2 1 60
BUSES 4 2 – – – – 6
TRUCK 2 1 – – – – 3
RADAR 52 6 2 2 2 2 66
ALCOHOL METERS 50 7 2 2 2 2 65
NOISE METERS 20 3 1 1 1 1 27

Kifissias Avenue Map:
Here we see how the Forces and Means are deployed on Kifissias Avenue (5.894 m). In this section of the Olympic Ring, which will receive a large amount of traffic load, 14 pedestrian traffic controllers, 4 patrol cars, 8 motorcycles, 2 cranes are available per shift.

Supplementary Measures:
At the same time and in addition to the Traffic Police forces, measures will be taken by:
• Police Forces at major road junctions, public transport stations, etc.
• From the Municipal Police, for the removal of bins, abandoned cars, streetlights, etc.
• By co-competent bodies for the removal of obstacles from sidewalks, etc.
Collaboration with Organizations:
The Traffic Police will be supported in its work by the following bodies:
• Fire Department (Extrication of people in traffic accidents, extinguishing all types of fires on the road network, removal of heavy vehicles with cranes).
• Ministry of Environment, Public Works and Public Works (Restoration of damage to the road network and road markings, marking of points to prevent traffic accidents, determination of alternative routes, removal of advertising signs).
• YME (Ensuring the smooth operation of transport entities that it supervises, providing information).
• Local Government Organizations (Removal of abandoned vehicles, removal of bins from the Olympic Road Network, removal of various objects-obstacles from the road surface, restoration of damage to the road network and road markings within their jurisdiction, removal of advertising signs).
• PPC – OTE – EYDAP – DEPA (Immediate restoration of damage to their networks).
• Emergency Medical Services – Hospitals (Availability of ambulances at selected points of the Olympic Road Network for immediate response, continuous on-call Olympic Hospitals with sufficient personnel and resources).
• O.E.O.A. "ATHENS 2004" (Marking of facilities and venues for competitions, open roads, securing storage areas for illegally parked vehicles that are transported by Traffic Police cranes, studies for issuing decisions on emergency traffic regulations).
Legislative Regulations:
The legislative framework for the organization and operation of THEPEK was created.
Legislative regulations have been promoted concerning: Traffic regulation issues in general that facilitate the work of the Traffic Police services and the bodies involved (characterization of the Olympic Road Network, Olympic Lanes, additional Road Signage, determination of parking spaces, road priority, occupation of road surface, suspension of works, etc.).
Creation of Zones (ZEEK and ZES):
City functions (shop opening hours, street markets, street vendors, truck traffic, vehicles transporting dangerous materials (explosives, ammunition, toxic, flammable, etc.).
Design Test:
To test the effectiveness of the measures and test the participants in them, a Test will be carried out in an Olympic environment (with the force of Olympic Lanes, Zones, etc.).
Communication Management:
A broad communication campaign is planned with the aim of fully informing the public, road users and participants in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the care of the involved Bodies, under the coordination of the Ministry of State and Mass Media.