Examination of On-Street Parking and Traffic Congestion Problems in Lokoja

Parking and traffic congestion is synonymous to each other because failure to meet parking demand of people in a city lead to on-street parking that results to traffic congestion. Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. The availability of less space in urban areas has increased demand for parking space especially in central business area. Inadequate off-street parking in most of our urban centres has metamorphosed to the problem of on-street parking coupled with inadequate traffic management commonly experienced today in most Nigerian cities. In view of the above, this research work examined the menace of on-street parking and traffic congestion problems in Lokoja, Nigeria. The study was conducted using questionnaires and field observation to collect the required data at the locations/corridors in the city where on-street parking and traffic congestion were prominent and also, adequate survey of the traffic devices in the locations of study was also conducted to determine it functionality. Four hundred and fifty one (451) questionnaires were administered to the shop-owners, one hundred and seventy four (174) to the parked vehicle-owners and one hundred and two (102) to the commuters, to make a total of seven hundred and twenty seven (727) research samples. Finding revealed that inadequate parking, infectiveness of traffic devices, absences of loading and offloading bays etc have caused on-street parking and traffic congestion in Lokoja. To reduce the menace, policy measures are recommended among which are; institution of enforcement of traffic rules and regulations by disciplined law enforcement agents, relocation of certain activities that caused on-street parking and introduction of intelligent transport system which make use of sustainable devices such as Bluetooth and other communication/mobile devices, traffic management improvement and provision of off-street parking facilities in the city plan. Key word: Transportation, on-street parking, traffic management, urban center, traffic congestion, Lokoj

Rural Road Infrastructural Challenges: An Impediment to Agricultural Development in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Accessibility to the rural area by road is a key factor in achieving Sustainable Development Goals in pursuance of optimal survival these areas. Various rural development policies instituted in Nigeria to alleviate the condition of rural dwellers and to sustain agricultural development, yet the smooth accessibility desires of several rural areas impaired by poor rural road infrastructure. The resultant effect of this is low agricultural productivity in rural areas and food insecurity. Rural communities in developing countries are mostly disconnected from the major roads and public transport services that should provide them access to the economic and social opportunities in cities. To this end, the research examined how road infrastructural challenges have impeded the development of agriculture in Idanre Local Government Council Areas, Ondo State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was purposively and randomly administered to collect data from a total of 200 farmers across 20 villages in the study area. Analysis of data for the information retrieved from the respondents were carried out with aid of descriptive statistics while stepwise regression examination was done to test the hypothesis. Findings revealed a high cost of transportation and irregular transport services as a result of the poor state of the roads in the study area have hindered effective agricultural development. Results also indicated that motorcycles were the dominant means of transportation in the LGA. This among others resulted in an increasing rate of post-harvest loss because of the restrictive capacity of motorcycle and high cost of transportation. The study recommended the construction and rehabilitation of dilapidated roads infrastructure to enhance agricultural development in the study area

Road Transportation In Sustainable Rural Development Of Akutupa-Kiri, Kogi State Nigeria

Rural road transportation has being a topical issue in most developing counties of the world. Despite the fact that rural area play a dominant role in the production of food and fiber; its economic activities had been hindered as a result of poor road transportation system. To this end, this paper examines road transportation in sustainable rural development of Akutupa-Kiri, Nigeria. Structured and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a total of 188 (one hundred and eighty eight) households head representing 2% of the entire population in the study using systematic sampling technique. The data were presented using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency counts and percentages and Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis. Findings revealed that Akutupa- Kiri is characterized by inadequate road infrastructure; there is high cost of transport due to the poor condition of road and frequent armed robbery attack on the road.. Results also indicate strong correlation (0.91) between cost and time of movement in the area. Also, the Department of Works in kabba-Bunu Local Government is not effective pertaining to road development matter in the study area. The study recommends provision of road infrastructures, establishment of road maintenance department at the local government level to facilitate rural development and increase agricultural production of the area. In addition, anti- robbery security personnel should be deployed to Akutupa-Kiri road to counter robbery attacks in the area. Key Words: Road transportation, Rural area, Sustainable rural development, Akutupa-Kiri, Nigeri

Conflict among the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Akure, Nigeria: causes, consequences and management strategies

Abstract This study examined the causes, consequences, and strategies for managing organizational conflict among the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Akure, Nigeria, to achieve sustainable peace and harmonious relationships among union members, and actualize better transport service delivery to the larger society. A survey design was adopted to elicit primary data through questionnaires and in-depth interviews with NURTW members. Desk research was also used to gather relevant information from the literature. Hundred (100) questionnaires were purposively and randomly administered to commercial drivers who are members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Akure. The survey was done across three major parks in Akure: Cathedral Park, Ondo Road Park and Benin Garage Park. They were selected because they are mostly dominated by the members of NURTW, and mostly patronized by passengers. The data collected were analyzed using simple descriptive and inferential statistics; in the form of frequencies, percentages, bar charts, and logistic regression. The study found that most of the NURTW members were males, and were majorly in the economic productive year between the ages of 35 and 45. Findings further revealed that government or political interference is a major cause of conflict among NURTW members. The aftermath of conflict among the union usually resulted in disruptions of the union activities and destruction of lives and properties. The bargaining approach in managing conflict is the most effective strategy for addressing conflict among NURTW members in Akure, Nigeria

Analysis of paratransit crimes in Akure, Nigeria

Abstract Background Paratransit is a system that operates along a more or less defined route and then stops to take passengers on demand. They offer on-demand door-to-door service from any origin to any destination in a service area, and are operated by public transit agencies, community groups or not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit private companies or operators. In transit, criminal acts including rape, kidnapping and/or abduction, robbery, carjacking, vehicle theft, and even acts of terrorism are committed. These crimes are occasionally committed by other passengers since not every individual who boards a vehicle is a real traveller. This study examined the incidence of paratransit crimes in Akure, Nigeria using a Secured System Approach. Results This study employed a household-based form of sampling to select the study locations in Akure. Convenient sampling was used to select two streets in each of the residential areas from which one hundred and twenty (120) houses were sampled purposively. The questionnaire was used to gather the primary data, with descriptive analysis. The study found that most of the transit crimes were perpetuated with taxi and motorcycles. Also, kidnapping was the major transit crimes in Akure. The Oba-Adesida road and Arakale road (situated along the study areas) were the hotspots for transit crimes in Akure. Finally, the respondents did not have a good perception of the proactiveness, integrity, reliability, respectability, and trustworthiness of security agencies regarding paratransit crimes in Akure. Conclusions Incidence of paratransit crimes in Akure, Nigeria was explored among residents in Akure households. Kidnapping was dominant in Akure along Oba-Adesida and Arakale road, and mostly perpetuated with taxi and motorcycles. Since the participant did not have a good perception concerning the proactiveness, integrity, reliability, respectability, and trustworthiness of security agencies in Akure. Recommendations were suggested

Influence of transport operations on the changing local climate in Nigeria’s southwestern cities

The activities of transport operations exhibit both positive and negative outcomes. Its negative effects on human health and the sustainability of the environment are of interest in this study. As a result, the study investigated the influence of transport operations on the changing local climate in Nigeria's southwestern cities. It investigated motorists' socioeconomic status (SES) and travel characteristics; the salient components of transport operations contributing to greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions); the effect of GHG emissions from transport operations on the local climate; transport externalities contributing to local temperature changes; and the effect of GHG emissions from transport operations on human health in the research location. This study employed a cross-sectional research design, utilizing systematic sampling to collect 580 copies of questionnaires administered to commercial motorists found in queues across two randomly selected parks in each capital city within the region. Both descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA and Linear Regression) were used to analyze the data. The study found that 60% of the motorists were middle-aged (aged between 36 and 45). The majority (70%) drive an average of 100 to 150 km, and premium motor spirit (PMS) is the primary source of energy for 95% of them. The nature and condition of the fuel in use are the top-ranked components of transport operations contributing to GHG emissions. The result of the ANOVA revealed a significant variation among the components of transport operations contributing to GHG emissions (F = 28.302, p = 0.000<0.05). Meanwhile, the linear regression results indicate that vehicular GHG emissions have a significant impact on the local climate (F1⁄578=30.091, p=0.000<0.05). Traffic congestion and bad road conditions were the top-ranked transport externalities contributing to the changing local climate. The most common effects of GHG emissions on human health were headaches and difficulty breathing. Considering these findings, this study suggests the best tactics to lessen the effects of GHG emissions from transport operations, which adversely affect the local climate and human health in the study area