Performance Analysis of Off-Street Parking around the Central Business District of Akure Southwest Nigeria

Central Business Districts (CBD) are areas of dense traffic which result in parking problems. Four parks were selected for detailed study in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, Nigeria. Parking surveys were conducted to evaluate their parking index (efficiency) using both close and open-ended questionnaires. Parking index (efficiency) for OFP1, OFP2, OFP3 and OFP4 were obtained as 42.5%, 69.52%, 74.88% and 26.66% respectively. The study shows that OFP1 and OFP4 operated below the maximum capacity at parking index lower than 50%, while OFP2 and OFP3 operated above the maximum capacity when compared with Policy 7 of the Parking Space Requirements in Parking Code Guidance 2012 of San Francisco Department of Transportation. Furthermore,50%, 36% and 14% of the respondents affirmed that the facilities are not adequate, adequate and very adequate respectively. Inadequacy in parking signage and deficiency in enforcement by Management was observed. However, effective communication, parking enforcement, operational efficiency and provision of parking signage should be adopted in the study area

PUBLIC TRANSPORT POLICY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: NIGERIA AS A CASE STUDY

This paper reviewed understudies public transport approach utilizing factors such urbanization, populace development, vehicle proprietorship, and utilization. With changes in the social, political and economic climate of Nigeria, this study looks at how these changes have affected transportation request and supply, transport arrangement and directions, and parts of economic aspects and fund identified with public transport. Conservation and enhancing of existing modes, effective utilization of people in general transport administration framework, executing appropriate transportation measures, and empowering a move towards reasonable modes were suggested. Review of government policies towards public transportation was undertaken and it shows that if developing nations like Nigeria are to achieve their economic transformation blueprint such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), they require a functional, reliable and effective transport system to, among other things, connect people, places, services, opportunities and all these can only be derived by properly formulated and implemented policies with the aid of all relevant private, academic and government bodies working together

Crack Mechanism of Different Concrete Grades under Compressive Loading: Application in Rigid Pavement

The growth of cracks in concretes under different loadings in various structures and their consequent diminishing effect on the lifespan of structures is an age long structural problem. This research investigates the influence of compressive loading on the crack mechanism of different concrete grades 1: 1 : 3 (M20), 1: 2: 4 (M15) and 1: 3: 6 (M10) using three brands of cements available in Nigeria namely Dangote (Type A), Elephant (Type B) and Bua (Type C). Particle Size Distribution (PSD), Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV), Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) was carried out on aggregates in accordance with relevant codes while; compressive test were performed on the hardened concrete while, the crack width was measured using microscopic technique. A coefficient of uniformity (Cu) of 4.00, AIV of 46 % and an ACV of 47.7 % were obtained for the aggregate which are suitable for rigid pavements construction. Maximum compressive strength value of 24.96 N/mm2 , 24.67 N/mm2 and 24.89 N/mm2 respectively was obtained for concrete M20 for Type A, Type B and Type C cement at the 28 day. A corresponding crack width of 0.97 mm, 0.89 mm and 0.93 mm was obtained while; a yield period of 57.66 sec, 58.33 sec and 53.33 was obtained respectively. Comparing with the International Organization for Standardization, concrete grade M20 any of the cement types is suitable for the construction of rigid pavements with heavy traffic volume while M15 is recommended for low traffic volume

Crack Mechanism of Different Concrete Grades under Compressive Loading: Application in Rigid Pavement

The growth of cracks in concretes under different loadings in various structures and their consequent diminishing effect on the lifespan of structures is an age long structural problem. This research investigates the influence of compressive loading on the crack mechanism of different concrete grades 1: 1  : 3 (M20), 1: 2: 4 (M15) and 1: 3: 6 (M10) using three brands of cements available in Nigeria namely Dangote (Type A), Elephant (Type B) and Bua (Type C). Particle Size Distribution (PSD), Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV), Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) was carried out on aggregates in accordance with relevant codes while; compressive test were performed on the hardened concrete while, the crack width was measured using microscopic technique. A Coefficient of uniformity (Cu) of 4.00, AIV of 46 % and an ACV of 47.7 % were obtained for the aggregate which are suitable for rigid pavements construction. Maximum compressive strength value of 24.96 N/mm2, 24.67 N/mm2 and 24.89 N/mm2 respectively was obtained for concrete M20 for Type A, Type B and Type C cement at the 28 day.  A corresponding crack width of 0.97 mm, 0.89 mm and 0.93 mm was obtained while; a yield period of 57.66 sec, 58.33 sec and 53.33 was obtained respectively. Comparing with the International Organization for Standardization, concrete grade M20 any of the cement types is suitable for the construction of rigid pavements with heavy traffic volume while M15 is recommended for low traffic volume

Trip pattern of low density residential area in semi urban industrial cluster: predictive modeling

This research elucidates the trip pattern of the low-density residential zone in a semi-urban industrial cluster of southwestern Nigeria. These sets of dwellers are often times neglected in the transportation planning process. To achieve the aim of this research, domiciliary information gathering procedure was employed with 0.82 return rates. It was backed up with the focus group discussion method. Data on frequency of trips, per capita trip, modal choice, and socioeconomic and demographic data were collected, collated, and analysed. Accordingly, a predictive model was formulated for the trip pattern of the low-density area. This was achieved with the aid of statistical software SPSS version 21.Consequently, the results of the multiple regression models showed that both monthly income and car ownership had a significant positive influence on the work trip while only car ownership positively influences non-work trip. R2 values of 0.729 and 0.739 were obtained for the descriptive model at 95% confidence level. This established the robustness of the model, the analysis showed that monthly income and car ownership had a significant positive influence on the work trip with an Rsquare value of 0.729 and 0.739 for work and non-work trip respectively. This indicated that household will embark on more trips with an increase in car ownership and monthly income. However, effective transportation planning and traffic infrastructural development were recommended to meet the demands of the increased number of trips daily

IGNITION TIME OF SELECTED CEILING MATERIALS AND ESCAPE TEMPERATURE TIME PREDICTION OF FIRE FIGHTER RESCUE MISSION

This study investigated the ignition time of selected ceiling materials with the view to know the responses of the materials to flame if it is spontaneous or not and to report their suitability for use. In this study sample of polyvinylchloride (PVC) and plant originated ceiling materials from western and northern parts of Nigeria were used. PVC samples experienced spontaneous ignition due to their coating. 50 g of each sample was combusted in a purged local combustion stove. Thermocouple was used in measuring their temperatures at equal intervals. The residual sample mass was weighed with an electronic balance. The result showed that the ignitions of plant originated ceiling were spontaneous producing less mass loss and char when compared to those observed in case of PVC. The latter ignition time was attributed to its coating that ignited. Asbestos was unresponsive to the combustion process but it became brittle. It would have been an excellent fire-retardant ceiling material if not for the resultant health hazard called asbestosis. The minimum grand time for rescue operation while entering and leaving a fire compartment was 85

Assessment of Decentralized Electricity Production from Hybrid Renewable Energy Sources for Sustainable Energy Development in Nigeria

This paper presents technical and economic assessment of a hybrid energy system for electricity generation in rural communities in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The study was based on a 500 rural household model having an electric load of 493 kWh per day. To simulate long-term continuous implementation of the hybrid system, 21 years (1992 – 2012) hourly mean global solar radiation and wind speed data for the selected sites were used. The mean annual wind speed and solar radiation for the locations ranged from 2.31 m/s for Warri to 3.52 m/ s for Maiduguri and 4.53 kWh/m2 for Warri to 5.92 kWh/m2 for Maiduguri, respectively. These weather data were used for simulation with the Micro-power Optimization Model software HOMER. From the optimum results of the hybrid system,Warri has the highest NPC and COE of $2,441,222 and$0.721/kWh, respectively while Maiduguri has the least NPC and COE of $2,225,387 and$0.658/kWh, respectively for the 21 years project lifespan. The high value of COE for Warri is due to its low renewable energy resource while low COE for Maiduguri is due to its high renewable energy resource. The Northern part of the country has ample renewable energy resource availability and with a strong political will, optimal utilization of these renewable resources (solar and wind) can be actualized. Researchers, Industrialists, Policy Makers and the Nigerian government should therefore seize this opportunity in developing a sustainable energy through utilization of abundant renewable energy resources in the country

Utilization of Waste Materials for Eco-Friendly Building Ceilings: An Overview

The pioneers of the industrial revolution, and their successors, left the world’s ecosystem in a devastating state. Global warming became the consequence of activities in the industry that led to climate change, the depletion of the ozone layer, and pollution of the ecosystem. For decades now, concerned researchers have been frantically investigating methods and procedures that can help conserve the ecosystem's left to attain sustainability. The construction industry also poses its challenge as novel solutions to construct sustainable, less hazardous products to the environment and improve human health are diligently investigated and identified yearly. This paper discusses specific steps of this nature and explains how environmentally-friendly construction methods and materials produce ceiling boards