PERCEPTIONS OF TEMPORAL VARIATIONS IN URBAN FREIGHT TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.

ATOMODE, TOLU ISAAC

This study examined the perceptions of transport stakeholders on the temporal variations of urban freight traffic problems in Lagos State. Their opinions formed the data for this study. The data were collected at major traffic bottlenecks along major roads in the study area. A total of 1,500 sets of questionnaire were administered to sampled commuters, freight and passenger vehicle drivers, and traffic management officials who are stakeholders in the transport sector. Data obtained were summarised using simple percentages, frequency distribution tables, averages and charts, while Two-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), was used for testing hypotheses and drawing valid conclusions. Findings showed that there was a significant main effect of period of the day on the prevalence of freight traffic problems, F (3, 456) = 114.980, P < .001. This means that variations exist in the occurrence of freight traffic problems over different periods of the day. For example, noise pollution, indiscriminate parking, and traffic accidents from freight traffic are perceived to be more pronounced in the night (10:00pm to 4:59am) than other periods of the day, while air pollution is predominant in the afternoon (12 noon to 3:59pm). In addition, freight traffic is viewed to contribute more to traffic accident, road breakdown and traffic congestion during the rainy season (April to October) than the dry season (November to March). On the other hand, indiscriminate parking, air and noise pollution associated with freight vehicles are believed to be more pronounced in the dry season than in the rainy season. Attempts at solving urban traffic problems should therefore give consideration to the temporal variations in the prevalence of each problem.

Key words: Diurnal, Freight, Problems, Prevalence, Seasonal, Traffic, Urban, Variation.