Traffic Management Strategies and Traffic Flow in Enugu Urban Areas of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract 

Research Purpose: Enugu urban traffic congestion was seen as a very complex problem that posed a challenge for all the road users and in the development of Enugu metropolis. This propelled the establishment of urban and traffic management agencies and the introduction of traffic lights by the state government. This study critically looked at how traffic management strategies in Enugu urban, including Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), MOT cadets and traffic lights have helped to improve traffic flow. 

Methodology: The study adopted survey research design and used structured questionnaires for data collection. The population of the study was 968,300 people of Enugu urban. As a survey research, all the respondents to this study were selected through purposive sampling technique. With this sampling technique, the researcher selected those who have the requisite information that led to sound conclusions.. The data collected were presented and analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, and chi-square (2) statistical tools. 

Finding: The study revealed that the approaches of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) and MOT cadets have significantly helped in the management of traffic flow in Enugu urban. Further findings revealed that the current traffic light in use at Enugu urban has positively contributed to the management of traffic flow.

Conclusion: The significance of alternative ways to solve gridlock increase since infrastructural extensions and adjustments requires large investments and also takes time is very important. New traffic management measures are required in Enugu Urban, as well as smart software that can enable a specific traffic surplus route allowing green light longer or more often and improvement to other existing measures.

Recommendations: The study therefore suggested among other solutions the provision of regular traffic education, modern Intelligent Traffic Light Controller, adequate parking spaces, and the need to carefully sanitise the MOT cadets and other traffic personnel to fish out the corrupt ones and replace them with more honest people.

Key words: Traffic, Management, Traffic management, Traffic management strategies, Traffic Flow.

References

Ajala, T.A. (2016). Traffic Management Strategies and Best Practices, Abeokuta: Gbenga Gbesan Associates Limited. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320618360

Ali, N.A. (2010). An assessment of the quality of intra-urban bus services and traffic management in the city of Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria. Theoretical and Empirical Researches in Urban Management, 6(15), 74-91. https://ideas.repec.org/a/rom/terumm/v5y2010i15p74-91.html

Anierobi, C. Ugwuanyi, B. & Kanu, N.B. (2017). Urban environmental governance: A study of intervention on urban road traffic congestion in Enugu, Nigeria. Journal of Nigerian Environmental Society (JNES), I(2), 27-62.  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314209397

Asiyanbola, R.A., Osoba, S.B. & Adewale, S.S. (2012). Road traffic administration and management in the third world mega-city: Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Policy and Development Studies, 9(5), 490-509. https://doaj.org/article/aadf272a84fe4c4487c77b6ffa40a2ed

Chao, Y., Edward, N.G. & Leslie, N. (2014). Improving air quality in high-density cities by understanding the relationship between air pollutant dispersion and urban morphologies, International Journal of Building and Environment, 71(4), 245-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2013.10.008

Chijioke, C.C. & Ugwuanyi, S.E. (2018). Towards efficient and effective traffic management system: A case study of Abakpa Nike Enugu State Nigeria, International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Research Technology, 3(10), 192-203

Chukwurah, G.O. & Chijioke, S. (2018). Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS): An approach to traffic congestion challenges in Enugu metropolis. Journal of Transportation Systems, 3(3), 13-19. https://zenodo.org/record/2270195

Dibua, J.I. (2006). Modernization and the crisis of development in Africa: The Nigerian Experience. Ashgate, 20-22. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351152921 

Etim E.U. (2016). Air pollution emission inventory along a major traffic route within Ibadan Metropolis, Southwestern Nigeria, African Journal of Environmental Science Technology,  10(4), 432-438. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST2016.2107

Eze, C.T, Ugwoke, J.L. & Ugwoke, J.J. (2018). Road traffic congestion and vehicular emissions in Enugu Urban Nigeria, Pollution Research Journal, 38(1), 1-8 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332382883

Giuseppe, T.A, Maurizio, F.E. (2018). Urban travel behavior determinants in Saudi Arabia, Tema Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, 4(1), 31-46. http://dx.doi.org/10.6092/1970-9870/5449

Greenshields, B.D. (2015). A study of traffic capacity, Highway Research Board Proceedings, 14, 448-477 

Ilo, F.U., Ibekwe, B.E. & Nwobodo, N.H. (2017). Decongesting traffic flow in Enugu mega city in Nigeria using neural network technique, International Journal in IT & Engineering, 5(10), 9-16. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354325319

Kendall, D. (2007). Sociology in Our Times 6th edition,  Belmont: Thomson/Wadsworth Press. http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/Soctimes.pdf

Nwokoro, R. (2020). Thuggery in Enugu State Transport Ministry? Vanguard News, January 30. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/thuggery-in-enugu-state-transport-ministry/

Okeke, F., Echendu, I. & Nnaemeka-Okeke, R. (2021). Determinants of intra-urban travel in southeast Nigeria: Evidence from the city of Enugu, Transport Problems, 38(1):1-8  https://doi.org/10.21307/tp-2021-070

Odogwu, C.C. & Ideh, D.A. (2022). The menace of traffic jams and quality of work-life in Lagos State, Nigeria. E-Journal of International and Comparative Labour Studies 7(3), 153-175. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332629651

Olorunnimbe, R.O., Giwa, O.M. & Oduyebo, O.J. (2020). An assessment of the effectiveness of traffic management techniques on traffic flow at Ikotun CBD, Lagos, Nigeria, International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 11(9), 764-783 https://www.ijser.org/researchpaper/an-assessment-of-the-effectivenesss-of-traffic-management-techniques-on-traffic-flow-at-ikotun-cbd-lagos-nigeria.pdf

Roxborough, I. (2014). Modernization Theory Revisited.  Contemporary Studies of Society and History, 30(4), 753-762. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0010417500015528

Sholesi, O.Y, Abdul-azeez, I.F. & Dopamu, I.O. (2024) Burnout of traffic managers and its effect on road safety: evidence from Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Lagos State, Nigeria. African Journal for The Psychological Study Of Social Issues, 27(1), 163-172 https://ajpssi.org/index.php/ajpssi/article/view/625/770

Weje I.I, Obinna, V.C. & Abibo, I. (2022). Evaluation of traffic management techniques on major roads in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, The International Journal Of Humanities & Social Studies, 6(10), 111-122. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328654200