Athens’ 45-year-old road space rationing system (daktylios), which limits entry to the center based on whether license plates end with an odd or even number, is now seen as a major contributor to the city’s worsening traffic congestion, with experts calling for a comprehensive review.
As part of a broader plan to tackle the capital’s traffic woes, the outdated system has come under scrutiny for exacerbating the problem rather than offering solutions.
Thanos Vlastos, an urban planner and professor, argues that Athens was never designed to accommodate today’s traffic volumes. He highlights the city’s inadequate infrastructure, including narrow roads and insufficient public transport, which leaves residents dependent on private vehicles. Vlastos proposes reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h, increasing public transport options, and investing in bike infrastructure to shift away from car dependency.
Kimon Logothetis, a traffic management consultant, stresses that the “odd-even” restrictions, implemented since 1982, are outdated and increase pollution by encouraging the purchase of cheap, polluting cars. He also points out structural flaws on key roads like Kifissou Avenue, where inconsistent lane sizes lead to traffic bottlenecks. Logothetis recommends addressing these issues, expanding lanes, and using existing studies to optimize road use.
Thanasis Tsianos, president of the Greek Traffic Engineers’ Association, proposes replacing the system with a “green ring” that limits vehicles based on environmental criteria, such as emissions levels, to reduce pollution and manage traffic more effectively.