Olympia Odos scales up predictive maintenance innovations along the Athens-Patras-Pyrgos highway

• Following the success of pilot project, Olympia Odos is rolling out “Smart Tunnel” innovation in four new tunnels
• Benefits include reduction of maintenance and failures in lighting, ventilation, and electrical systems
• A positive innovation that elevates performance standard in road mobility

Olympia Odos, as the concessionaire of Athens-Patras-Pyrgos highway, implemented the “Smart Tunnels” innovation for predictive maintenance in four of the longest tunnels on the Patras Bypass. This marks the beginning of the large-scale rollout of the innovation tested since 2019, with the goal of ultimately equipping all tunnels on the highway in the future.

The “Smart Tunnel” innovation ensures that tunnel equipment, such as lighting, ventilation, and signage, operates consistently at peak performance. Rather than waiting for systems to fail at the end of their lifecycle, the innovation allows to identify the optimal moment for repair or replacement before failure, ensuring continuous functionality.

Developed in collaboration with the startups ES Systems and Ex Machina, and the solution uses sensors to collect live data on tunnel equipment, which is transmitted wirelessly to the cloud. Artificial intelligence analyzes this data to detect patterns and predict potential issues, enabling timely interventions and reducing unplanned downtime.

The pilot project, launched in the 700-meter Girokomio tunnel near Patras, confirmed the feasibility of retrofitting existing tunnel equipment with sensors and using IoT system and it is anticipated to achieve maintenance improvements e.g: equipment failures reduced by 30%, maintenance response times improved by 25%, and lifespan of equipment extended about 25% (batteries) and about 50% (pumps and fans).

With the start of the large-scale deployment, Olympia Odos is setting new technological standards for the performance of highway systems. As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, Olympia Odos recently introduced Greece’s first adaptive lighting system, which optimizes energy consumption while maintaining high visibility for drivers. These initiatives demonstrate not only the company’s dedication to enhancing the performance of the highway, but also drivers can now count on tunnels that remain fully operational, while fewer maintenance operations reduce disruptions that can affect traffic flow.