TITLE
PAGE
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC
CONGESTION IN OSHODI-APAPA AXIS OF LAGOS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1.
Background
of the study
Traffic
congestion in commercial cities in Nigeria has been a cause for concern for
every well-meaning Nigerian who craves for infrastructural development and
maintenance. The continuous road traffic congestion in Nigerian cities
especially in Lagos which started from the 1980s immediately after Udeoji award
which enhanced household income and resulted to increased desire for both
private and commercial vehicle ownership is intensifying on daily basis. The
daily movement of people in Nigerian cities is becoming more difficult and
complex.
Lagos
state being the most populated state in Nigeria according to the national
population commission has been engulfed in traffic congestion this may be due
to population explosion and urban migration which has increased the pressure on
the available infrastructure. This is reflected in the increasing
bumper-to-bumper traffic being experienced in the major cities during the
morning (7:00am – 9:00am) and afternoon (3:00pm – 6:00pm) peak hours (Okpala,
1981:46). In some cases, such as in Lagos, road traffic congestion is being
experienced throughout the day from 8:00am – 9:00pm which can even extend into
the dead of the night on occasions. In Lagos state especially, it is not
uncommon for commuters to spend more than two hours enroute to work, school,
market, hospital etc. or back home even when to and fro distance is not much.
According to Okpala (1998: 23), the situation has become so common that it even
appears that traffic hold-ups are becoming acceptable excuses for late attendance
to work or even formal and informal meetings. This malady in most of the
Nigerian cities has been causing people a lot of concern (Oyefesobi, 1981:35).
It is posing formidable challenges to both state governments, Local government
Councils, researchers and particularly the city residents.
1.2.
Statement
of the general problem
The
search for an enduring solution to the traffic problems will necessarily
commence with thorough investigation that will unveil the factors responsible
for such problems. This is what this study intends to do with particular
reference to Oshodi-Apapa express way Lagos.
1.3.
Objectives
of the study
This
study aims at the following:
Ø To
provide this missing link by way of making good attempt at identifying the
factors which are responsible for traffic problems in Oshodiapapa express way.
Ø To recommend ways of easing traffic congestion
in Lagos
Ø To
examine the major causes of road traffic congestion in Lagos
1.4.
Scope
of the study
This
study is on statistical analysis of road traffic congestion at the OshodiApapa
express way Lagos state.
1.5.
Research
questions
Ø What
are the major causes of traffic congestion
Ø What
can be done to ease traffic congestion in Lagos?
Ø Is
there a relationship between traffic congestion and increase in crime rate in
Lagos?
1.6.
Research
hypothesis
H0:
There is no significant relationship between crime and traffic congestion in
Oshodiapapa expressway
H1:
There is a significant relationship between crime and traffic congestion in
Oshodiapapa expressway
1.7.
Definition
of terms
Ø Trafficthe movement of vehicles, ships, persons, etc., in an area, along astreet, through an air lane, over a water route, etc
Ø Crime:an
illegal act for which someone can be punished by the government
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