Social Economic Impact of Road Traffic Congestion on Urban Mobility: A Case Study of Kosofe Local Government Areas of Lagos State, Nigeria
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The general objective of this study will be to examine the effects of traffic congestion on the workers who experience it daily in Lagos, to achieve this; the following specific objectives will be set.
- To identify the causes of urban traffic congestion in Lagos
- To find out the types of health challenges Traffic congestions causes to workers.
- To determine the relationship between traffic congestion and health in Lagos.
- To proffer probable solutions
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Literature Review
Traffic Congestion
Traffic Congestion, one of the acclaimed indicators of a city socio-economic vibrancy, has continually challenged the efforts of city and transport planners alike on our highways, in terms of longer travel time and delays over time and space. It has equally created and artificial barrier to a cost effective flow of goods and persons along our highways.
European Conference of Ministers of Transport ECMT, (2007) definition of traffic congestion “Congestion is the impedance vehicles impose on each other, due to the speed-flow relationship, in conditions where the use of a transport system approaches capacity. Congestion is essentially a relative phenomenon that is linked to the difference between the roadway system performance that users expect and how the system actually performs. Congestion is a situation in which demand for road space exceeds supply. (Popoola, 2013)Congestion takes on many faces, occurs in many different contexts and is caused by many different processes. Because of this, there is no single best approach to managing congestion – and the report is therefore not prescriptive about specific congestion management measures. However, there are many things congestion management policies should take into account if they are to achieve the goals they set themselves. Based on Abiola, (2013) research on causes of traffic congestion on highway in Nigeria, he highlighted the problems of intra-urban traffic in Lagos. The study found that 57% of commuters and motorists spend between 30 to 60 minutes on the road due to traffic congestion. He also found that the worst traffic congestion occurred on Mondays.
He further stated the causes of traffic congestion in Lagos to include the following:
Presence of pot holes/bad road, trading activities, illegal parking, loading and discharging of passengers, illegal bus stops, flooding/poor drainage, vehicle breakdown, narrow road sections, religious activities, high volume of traffic, lack of parking space and lack of traffic light at some road intersections, lack of proper traffic impact study of development.
According to Knoflacher (2006), cities in the third world countries face traffic congestion which is mainly caused by the following factors:
The urban set-up is not compatible with the traffic demands , the rate of car usage is high rather than using a car at some point, and then one has to walk or use public transport, little budget is put on car maintenance by owners resulting in slow moving vehicles due to inefficiency, inadequate traffic management measures, flouting of traffic rules by motorists, inadequate public transport, negative Effect of Traffic Congestion.
Traffic Congestion Theories
Traffic Flow Theory
According to Wikipedia Traffic flow is the study of interactions between vehicles, drivers, and infrastructure (including highways, signage, and traffic control devices), with the aim of understanding and developing an optimal road network with efficient movement of traffic and minimal traffic congestion problems. In a free-flowing network, traffic flow theory refers to the traffic stream variables of speed, flow, and concentration. These relationship are mainly concerned with uninterrupted traffic flow, primarily found on freeways or expressways. Lieu (1999), Flow conditions are considered “free” when less than 12 vehicles per mile are on a road. “Stable” is sometimes described as 12-30 vehicles per mile lane. As the density reaches the maximum flow rate (or flux) and exceeds the optimum density (above 30 vehicles per mile), traffic flow becomes unstable, and even a minor incident can result in persistent stop-and-go driving conditions. “Breakdown” condition occurs when traffic becomes unstable and exceeds 67 vehicles per mile. Rijn, (2014) “Jam density” refers to extreme traffic density associated with completely stopped traffic flow, usually in the range of 185-250 vehicles per mile per lane.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we will describe the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher will employ the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study will be carried out to examine the Social economic impact of road traffic congestion on urban mobility. kosofe local government areas of Lagos State, Nigeria form the population of the study.
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