The Effectiveness of Intelligent Transport

The Effectiveness of Intelligent Transport

CHAPTER ONE

Objective Of The Study

The main objective of this study is to ascertain the effectiveness of intelligent transport system in curbing the menace of traffic congestion and traffic jam. But to aid the completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following specific objective:

To ascertain the effect of intelligent transport system in effective functioning of the transport system in Nigeria.
To investigate if there is any significant relationship between intelligent transport system and Nigeria’s Intelligent Transportation system
Ascertain the importance of Educate the public and key players in the Nigerian transport system on the need for ITS and how intelligent transportation system can be deployed in Nigeria.
To proffer suggested solution to the identified problem

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.

Precisely, the chapter will be considered in two sub-headings:

Conceptual Framework
Theoretical Framework
Chapter Summary

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Historical Development of Road

Transportation in Nigeria The first roads in Nigeria were built by the British colonialists for much the same reasons as the railway were, but more specifically:

(i) feed and therefore complement the railway system,

(ii) also carry goods directly to and from the ports, and

(iii) serve administrative officers and missionaries in their opening up and administering the interior (Usman, 2005).

Road development in Nigeria started later than railways, and proceeded in three phases as follows:

The first road in Nigeria was the Ibadan – Oyo road built in 1905. This and other early twentieth century roads were inferior dirt roads, but they served the light traffic of those days.

(ii) By 1930 when rail construction had virtually ceased, attention was turned, up till the civil war, to the extension of roads of all classes. Existing roads were widened and surfaced, new ones were built and bridges constructed over river obstacles.

(iii) The post 1970 period, however, saw a road construction phase initiated by the military and directed towards:

(a) widening and re-surfacing existing inter-urban roads,

(b) construction of dual carriage ways and

The 109-kilometre Lagos – Ibadan expressway which was opened in 1975, was the first of such roads to be built. It has a branch to Benin city, now already dualised up to Asaba in Delta State (Ileoje, 2004). From the mid-1980s emphasis on road development shifted to rural roads with the creation of the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI). There was also the construction of dual carriage ways such as Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria-Kano expressway, the first in the north. From May 1999, the significance of roads to economic growth and sociopolitical development was clearly recognized and underscored through a number of policy initiatives to improve the hitherto deplorable roads and expand the national network. According to Ojabo (2007): between June 1999 and December 2006, the Obasanjo administration completed 108 road and bridge projects covering 4,307.71 kilometers of roads. The sum of N99,011,325,212.31 was spent on the completed projects within the period under review. The administration embarked on the dualization of more highways than all other previous administrations. The setting up of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) ensured continuous all years round maintenance/repairs of federal roads.

Intra-urban Traffic Problems in Nigeria

Movement of people, freight and information has continuously been a fundamental of human’s societies (Rodrigue, 1998). Transport is significant to modern and rapidly developing urbanizing societies, for without it, no society can function well. The transport system in an urban area can be likened to a body’s circulating system without which the body cannot be nourished and made to function properly (Adefolalu, 1993). Therefore, the functioning of urban economic activities depends to a large extent on the adequacy and efficiency of its transport system. Despite the significant role of transport in the life of any individual or society, there are problems that affect this sector and have made its operations sluggish and disappointing. Hougendoorn and Bovy (2001) and North County Times (2004) observe that traffic flow, traffic growth and congestion are some of the main economic and societal problems related to transportation in industrialized countries. These problems manifest in the form of environmental pollution, delay, and accidents, landuse severance amongst others (Ogunsanya, 2006).

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, we described 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 employed 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.

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of one hundred and nineteen (119) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which one hundred and nine (109) were returned while one hundred (100) were validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 100 was validated for the analysis.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the effectiveness of intelligent transport in Lagos State. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was on the effectiveness of intelligent transport in Lagos State. The study is was specifically set to ascertain the effect of intelligent transport system in effective functioning of the transport system in Nigeria, investigate if there is any significant relationship between intelligent transport system and Nigeria’s Intelligent Transportation system, ascertain the importance of Educate the public and key players in the Nigerian transport system on the need for ITS and how intelligent transportation system can be deployed in Nigeria, and proffer suggested solution to the identified problem.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 100 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are staff of the Logos State ministry of transportation.

Conclusions

In the light of the analysis carried out, the following conclusions were drawn.

There is a positive effect of intelligent transport system in effective functioning of the transport system in Nigeria.
There is a significant relationship between intelligent transport system and Nigeria’s Intelligent Transportation system.
Educating the key players in the Nigerian transport system have an impact on the adoption and implementation of ITS in Nigeria.

Recommendation

Based on the findings the researcher recommends;

In order to fully utilize the ITS technology, additional signalized intersections are required at intersections where many traffic agents are present so as to use adaptive traffic signal control, Cameras and sensors are required along the corridors to send data to the TMC, while the TMC are integrated with other centers for alert.
The State Government needs to enact a law that will ask motorists to stop when Law enforcement agents turn on patrol vehicle amber lights behind any violating driver. If such driver refused to stop, rather than forcing the vehicle to stop, the in-vehicle camera should be turned on to capture images of the violating vehicle and punishments could be effected later through collaboration with the licensing authority. There should bea developed Traffic Management Center for Lagos that will serve as a nerve center and assist the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to:

Monitor traffic and receive real time information from locations where devices are installed and coordinate responses with field personnel and their equipped vehicles.
Integrate with the Police, Fire Service, Lagos Ambulance Service and other emergency services for quick responses to incidents and ensure traffic flow.
Update roadway information, including weather, incidents, construction, and some travel times, to drivers through usage of highway advisory radios, electronic signs, the web, and a dedicated traveler information phone system.
Provide information to the news agencies. Reduce the exposure of traffic personnel to incidents and impact of their duties on road users.

REFERENCE

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Bertini, R., Monsere, C. and Yin, T. (2005).Benefits of intelligent transportation technologies in urban areas: A literature review. Final Report, Center for Transportation Studies, Portland State University, Oregon.
Bickerstaff, K., Walker, G. (2005), “Shared visions, unholy alliances: power, governance and deliberative processes in local transport planning”, Urban Studies, Vol. 42 No.12, pp.2123-44.
Broughton, J and Stark DC.The effect of the 1983 changes to the law relating to drink/driving. RR89. 1986. Crowthorne, Berkshire, Transport and Road Research Laboratory. Ref Type: Report
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