Assessing the Spatial Distribution and Locational Impact of Petrol Service Stations
Chapter One
Aim and Objectives
The study is aimed at assessing the spatial distribution and locational impact of petrol service stations on the environment to identify the physical development problems and to make improvement proposals. (A case study of Uvwie Local Government Area).
Th following specific objectives were pursued in order to achieve the above aim:
- To determine the location of petrol service stations in the study area.
- To determine the proximity of petrol stations to residential houses, public/semipublic institutions.
- To ascertain the effects of the locations of petrol service stations on the environment.
- To recommend physical planning solutions to alleviate the problems identified.
CHAPTER TWO
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
This chapter tends to review literature linked with the present situation. There has been a growing literature both empherical as well as theoretical to analyze the location of petrol and establish the factors of location of filling stations on our towns and cities.
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
Geographic Information system (GIS) can be looked upon as a computer software hardware, data and personnel to help manipulate, analyze, and present information, that is tied to a spatial or geographic location shayya ( 2004) this is a very general definition, and to expand it, GIS is defined as a computer system which stores for each feature (Bail &Klosterman, 2001). It is a tool that allows for the processing of spatial data into information and is used to make decisions about some portion of the earth (Demers, 2000 and shayya, 2004).
Ode dare (1991), define GIS as a „‟spatiallysystemreferenced datafor inte decision making in a problem solving environment. In other words, GIS is a decision making tool that deals with decision that have to do with utilization of space, how we organized things in space, the emphases is on spatial data. Its strength is in the ability to bring in data from different sources, integrate them in different ways in definition seems to be very elaborate by incorporating all the attribute of GIS, and it was agreed by Jones (1997) who, defined GIS as „‟computer system retrieving, processing . and displaying geograp
Geographical Information System (GIS) is seen by some people as a branch of information technology; others see it as a computer assisted mapping and cartographic application, a set of spatial analytical tools, a type of database systems, or field of academic study (Onosemuode, 2008).
GIS FOR FACILITY MAPPING AND MANAGEMENT
Facility mapping is the process of digitally identifying and mapping facilities infrastructure with the explicit goal to improve operational management and planning tasks such as dispatching, inventorying, and maintenance. Some examples of facilities include utilities (gas, water, electricity lines and telecommunication mast), petrol stations, hospitals, airport, and transportation planning. Geographical information system has provided basic support in facility management. Meeting compliance codes GIS ensures that a building or asset is safe and operates as intended. Building compliance can span from energy efficiency, safety, and zoning to issues dealing with conformity to laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Buildings and assets are inherently spatial; they are located somewhere on the earth. GIS can be used to efficiently collect and store information based on their location, providing a means for query, analysis, and reporting when necessary.
GIS helps organizations gain efficiencies even in the face of finite resources and the need to hold down costs. Operations and maintenance staff can deploy enterprise and mobile workforce applications that provide timely information to the field for faster, more accurate work order processing.
Revenue can be increased and operations and maintenance costs reduced when GIS helps manage space. Real estate and property managers can see and make queries about space including its availability, size, and special constraints for the most cost-effective use.
GIS helps facilities managers organize and spatially visualize space and how it can best be used. Operational costs can be decreased by more efficiently using space including managing the moves of personnel and assets as well as the storage of materials.
Viewing buildings and the locations of assets along with emergency information, such as weather patterns and disaster zones, can give organizations the information they need to make decisions quickly. GIS provides a holistic understanding of facility status and performance and brings together departments, business systems, and data sources for a comprehensive view into and throughout organizations.
Increase a facility‟sohelpsustainabilityreduceenergyandwateruse,find betterby using waste disposal, and decrease a building‟s car and outside buildings down to the asset level, a difference can be made in the environmental impact of development.
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with the research methodology used in the research work. The step by step procedure adopted in carrying out this research is documented in this section. It covers;
- Data source and data acquisition
- Database design and creation
- Materials (System selection)
- Data integration
- Data management
DATA ACQUISATION
Data acquisition is one of the basic subsystems in any GIS environment .These techniques apply for sourcing out data includes field observation, interview, and relevant literatures. It involved the collection of both spatial and attributes data of the perceived entities within the communities. Data in this research was largely divided into two types that are primary and secondary methods of data collection.
PRIMARY DATA
- This is the first primary data; obtained through physical observations and interviews. This was in order to identify and study the high concentration of filling station in Uvwie Local Government Area most especially in the city Centre.
- The second primary data was obtained by using GPS receiver and a tape rule to record and measure the distance as well as the locations (co-ordinates) of filling station within the study area. Also surveyed, where the location of closest facility to the petrol stations.
SECONDARY DATA
These are extracts and documented literature gotten from journals, existing digital ikonos imagery of Warri metropolitan map gotten from my supervisor. The map was digitized into GIS environment (Arc GIS 9.3). Arc Map was used for proper distribution of filling station on the map.
FIELD OBSERVATION
This is a very important technique that is used in data collection, it involves going to the field to observe, feel and move the object. This method affords the researcher to see things on their natural stage and also help to consolidate what was theoretically thought in class to the life situation. This method allows firsthand information of the subject matter. In the course of this study, visits were made to the filling station and questionnaire was issued to the managers in charge of the petrol station in which answers were provided.
DATABASE DESIGN
Database design constitutes one of the core tasks in developing any GIS application. It involves the process by which the real world entities and their interrelationships are analyzed and modeled in order to derive the maximum benefits while using the minimum quantity of data (Kufoniyi 1998) Figure 3.1 shows a diagrammatic representation of design and construction phase of a spatial database. Reality refers to the phenomenon that actually exists including all aspects, which may or may not be perceived by individuals. The view of reality is the mental abstraction of all entities, as they actually exist within the project area. Examples of these entities are Petrol stations, Residential houses, Schools, Hotels etc. The reality serves as an input in the design phase and it‟srepresented as vector data structure entities. These entities include the following;
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
Introduction
The supportive effect of Geographical Information System in the capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modeling and display of spatially referenced data for solving problem has prompted the study in assessing the spatial distribution and the locational impact of petrol station on the environment.
CHAPTER FIVE
SuMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary of findings
From the survey in this study, Geographical information system was used to analyze locational impact of petrol station on the environment. I realize that the locational impact of petrol stations in Uvwie local government area and its environs is not to be undermined as analysis clearly showed the diverse and adverse impacts of the locations of petrol stations. From the study, it was observed in figure 4.2 that most of the petrol stations are below the minimum environmental requirement for a petrol station and therefore people living in these buildings which include Residential houses, Church, School will be affected with vapour gas emission and noise pollution in the future. In figure 4.3, buffer operation shows public institution (School, Church, Hospital, Hotels) that are within 100m distance to a petrol station. potential hazards that could emanates as a result of close proximity of the petrol station to residential houses and public institutions includes Fire hazards, air pollution (vapour gas emission), and noise pollution.
However petrol stations render useful services to the community other that petrol retailing and other vehicle related services, these services include mini mart, catering services and supply of potable water and toilet services. The stations were also being utilized as bus stops and shades to the community and other road users.
Conclusion
It is pertinent to note that the need and the subsequent distribution of fuels in cities and homes have resulted in the establishment and proliferation of fuel service station in towns and cities today. Even though the supply of fuel, which is a major source of energy, is needful and important for the economic growth and development of every country, its negative impacts from the processes of fuel retailing should not be overlooked. In Uvwie metropolitan area, proliferation of the stations is going on at an alarming rate due perhaps to population growth and increase in the acquisition and use of automobiles, office/industrial machines and other domestic equipment which consume these fuels.
However, this study revealed that the establishment and location of these service stations in various parts of the study area is going on without due regard to planning criteria, safety and environmental considerations. Service stations in the area were often built with little or no compliance to planning regulation, lack of the implementation of standards and recommended practice the failure of which affects human directly or indirectly. These therefore remain a source of concern to all, but do we then fold our hands and watch these problems erode humans and their living environment? There is a need therefore for plans and actions to tackle the situation for today and the future. That is then the perspective of sustainable development in physical planning: how the environment could contain development without getting destroyed in the process.
Thus, it relates to precautionary measures taken to evaluate the impact of any development on the environment. The idea here is that any change introduced into the environment should not facilitate its destruction and consequently hazardous to human.
Recommendation
For the purpose of mitigating the existing locational impacts on the environment and also for the purpose of future development, recommendations are made base on the findings from the study towards mitigating such impact on the environment. The following recommendations are made:
- A detailed Site Analysis in consultation with Ministry of lands and town planning prior to development of petrol stations should be mandatory, that is to ensure that the scale of the station`s buildings is related to the scale, character and form of adjourning structures and the activities of the area. This is to also ensure an attractive development which integrates in safety of the populace and also compliments the surroundings. In view of the above, the following should be considered:
- Public/semipublic areas within 100m radius of Petrol stations should either the public buildings or the station, comparatively be considered for relocation from the area.
- Petrol station`s shall be a minimum of 30m from adjoining residential building if total relocation is found difficult. In commercial areas, the structures shall be set back to, at least 3m from adjoining property.
- The planning authority should consequently have the benefit of sufficient information on the likely effects and of the opinion of the Ministry of Environment and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) before planning decision is taken.
- I encourage the planning authority to recommend the use of vapour recovery system for the trapping of these vapour gases released from petrol stations..
References
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- Aronoff ,S. (1995), Geographic Information System A management perspective, Ottawa, WDL publications Pp189-243.