The new Traffic Commander operational traffic management system, which uses real-time data from dozens of sources, including drones, police patrol vehicles and Traffic Police motorcycles, was presented today at the Traffic Monitoring and Control Operations Centre (TH.E.P.E.K.) at the Attica General Police Directorate (GADA).

The system is a modern operations centre developed by officers of the Hellenic Police and aims to improve traffic management across the Athens metropolitan area through the use of technology, data analysis and real-time operational monitoring.

The Attica General Police Director, Major General Thanasis Kampas, described Traffic Commander as another important step in the digital transformation of the Hellenic Police, noting that it is an operational tool created to improve citizens’ daily lives and ensure more effective traffic management in the wider Athens region.

He noted that Attica is one of the most complex traffic management areas in Europe, serving more than 4 million residents, while approximately 700,000 vehicles enter central Athens every day, travelling across a road network exceeding 1,600 kilometres.

Within this framework, he explained that Traffic Commander manages around 50,000 traffic incidents daily, using information from 24 different data sources, which it combines into a single operational picture for officers at TH.E.P.E.K.

Mr Kampas stressed that the new system “is not simply another digital application”, but rather a mechanism that transforms large volumes of information into useful operational knowledge, allowing faster and more effective decisions without replacing the experience and judgement of police personnel.

He added that Traffic Commander operates alongside the KOMVOS system, while it has been designed to continuously evolve through the integration of artificial intelligence applications, new data sources and additional operational capabilities. He said the Hellenic Police aims for this model to serve as the foundation for the development of similar traffic management centres in other regions of Greece.

Developed internally by the Hellenic Police

The head of the Traffic Commander development team, Police Deputy Director Anastasios Kalaitzidis, highlighted that the system is a new operational traffic management tool developed internally by software engineers of the Hellenic Police, without additional development costs.

Its purpose is to provide a common operational picture, analysis and coordination. He explained that Traffic Commander collects and combines data from dozens of different sources, transforming individual pieces of information into a comprehensive picture of traffic conditions and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

“It is not just another traffic map. It is a system that transforms the image of the city into operational knowledge and operational knowledge into more effective action,” he said.

The head of TH.E.P.E.K., Police Deputy Director Theofanis Anagnostou, then gave a short demonstration of the system, showing live how an incident is managed.

Ten police drones donated by Greek shipowners

The Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) has supplied 10 state-of-the-art drones built to specialised police specifications, worth €125,000, which will provide aerial images to TH.E.P.E.K.

The event was attended by the Union’s Secretary General, Dimitris Fafalios, who said the donation forms part of the organisation’s long-standing social contribution programme and its continued support for the Hellenic Police and public safety.

He explained that the initiative aims to strengthen operational awareness, enable faster responses and improve traffic management for the benefit of society. He also praised the work of Hellenic Police personnel, assuring that Greek shipping will continue to support initiatives serving the public interest.

Chrysochoidis: Technology must serve society

Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis described Traffic Commander as another significant contribution by the Hellenic Police to improving citizens’ daily lives, calling it “an operational effort with a strong social impact” that aligns with the philosophy of community policing.

He said community policing has become a key priority for the Hellenic Police, aiming to ensure its daily presence in issues affecting citizens. He referred, among other things, to initiatives addressing domestic violence, protecting victims and improving road safety.

He also highlighted the results of intensified alcohol checks, stating that during the first half of 2026, authorities carried out 1.572 million inspections nationwide, compared with approximately 750,000 during the same period in 2025.

Of those checked, 13,613 drivers were found to exceed the permitted alcohol limit, representing 0.86%, compared with 16,000 drivers (2.11%) during the same period last year.

“This is an achievement, a victory. And it is a victory for our society, for citizens. It is a victory for citizens’ safety. That is why we have fewer accidents, fewer hospital transfers and we are safer,” the minister said.

Expected 25%-30% improvement in traffic flow

Regarding the new system, Mr Chrysochoidis explained that Traffic Commander combines policing through patrol cars, motorcycles and aerial assets while also using technology to manage traffic more effectively.

He thanked the Union of Greek Shipowners for its contribution through the drone donation, saying that combining ground policing, aerial surveillance and new technologies creates a comprehensive traffic management framework.

“The new element is how we can use technology for the benefit of society and for the benefit of our lives,” he said, adding that the system operates mainly preventively, with the aim of making citizens’ daily lives easier.

He stressed that traffic congestion is currently the second most significant problem facing the Athens metropolitan area after the cost-of-living crisis and requires cooperation between all relevant bodies to achieve the best possible management using existing infrastructure.

The minister estimated that after the system is fully deployed from September, when normal daily activity returns to Attica, traffic conditions could improve by 25% to 30%, significantly reducing inconvenience for drivers.

Traffic Commander will also produce monthly evaluation reports measuring the effectiveness of interventions.

“Where there is improvement, we must continue further, and where there is no improvement, we must make corrections, so that we become better,” Mr Chrysochoidis said.

He added that the system currently uses data from 24 different sources, which will continue to be expanded and exploited in the future in order to improve its operational effectiveness.

Hellenic Police Chief: A new traffic management model

Concluding the presentation, Chief of the Hellenic Police Lieutenant General Dimitrios Mallios said that the launch of Traffic Commander marks the implementation of a modern traffic management model aimed at addressing congestion more effectively in Athens and the wider metropolitan area.

He described it as a comprehensive system developed “in house” by Hellenic Police personnel, without additional cost, providing real-time traffic information and enabling preventive management of traffic problems.

Through the storage and analysis of relevant data, the system will support more effective responses to traffic challenges. He also thanked all personnel who contributed to its development.