Evaluation of Traffic Management Techniques on Major Roads in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urban transportation system in most developing countries is faced with increasing pressure due to increase in vehicular ownership and use. With rapid increase in population, household income, and poor land-use planning, traffic management has become an intractable problem in most urban centres in Nigeria. This study was an assessment of the efficacy of traffic management techniques in Port Harcourt. The study adopted the passive observational research design. Data for the study came from both primary and secondary sources. Analysis of traffic count on sampled roads shows both spatial and temporal variations. Of the 7 days survey period of vehicle density along Port Harcourt-Aba express road (12^th_ 18^th, March 2018), the highest average hourly traffic volume per week was recorded on Monday with 88,461 Passenger Car Units (PCUs), and the lowest was on Sunday 22,305 PCUs. The weekly average hourly volume of traffic was highest between 6pm-7pm 63,950 vehicles, while the lowest was between 1pm-2pm with 9,170 PCUs.  For Ikwerre road, the highest average hourly traffic volume per week was recorded on Wednesday with 57,257 PCUs, and the lowest was on Sunday with 25,472 PCUs. The weekly sum and average hourly volume of traffic was highest between 6pm-7pm with 47,561 PCUs, while the lowest between was recorded between 1pm-2pm with 10,974 PCUs. The weekly average hourly traffic volume was highest between 6pm-7pm with 6794.43 PCUs and lowest between 1pm-2pm with 1567.71 PCUs. The highest daily traffic volume of different modes of vehicles was 57,257. On the efficacy of traffic management techniques, most respondents (65.3%) rated the traffic management techniques as ‘effective'. Since traffic management requires a high level of political will, institutional and human resource commitment, the study advocates for the resuscitation of the Rivers State Traffic Management Agency (TIMARIV) to instill sanity among road users in the area.    There is also the need to install close circuit television (CCTV), sensors and smart traffic devices on major roads for traffic monitoring and data collection to enhance effective control of traffic congestion. Overall effective land use planning in Port Harcourt is a panacea for curbing traffic challenges in the area.