AN ASSESSMENT OF ROAD TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION IN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN KADUNA METROPOLIS

Abstract

Application of various Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and Road Transport Infrastructure (RTI) provisions are essential component of urban traffic management. This paper considered the scenario in Kaduna metropolis which cannot be left out. This is as a result of her ever increasing vehicular traffic in the metropolis. This paper therefore attempts an assessment of the types, state, and functionality as well as distributions of both intelligence transport system and road transport infrastructure (RTI) in management of traffic movement within Kaduna metropolis. The Primary data was gathered through questionnaire administration using stratified random sampling technique and personal interview, while secondary data was gathered from published journals. Inventory of the road infrastructure provided was identified in all the location of study within the metropolis. In all, a total of 400 questionnaire was administered but only 380 respondents were successfully retrieved. The result showed spatial distribution of various road transport infrastructure such as traffic lights, road sign, road markings, zebra crossing, lane departure signs speed limits control, pedestrian warning signs, route direction signs across the city. Meanwhile, CCTV camera and Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) are not available. However, the adequacy of ITS automated gadgets such as CCTV camera, ECDIS and Pedestrian warning signs was rated poorly by respondents while other ITS facilities/gadgets such as road signs, speed limits, road markings, zebra markings, lane departure warnings and traffic lights were available in the study location in Kaduna metropolis but not adequate. The results shows the rating of RTI as fair, good and very good respectively while the majority of respondents agreed that RTI are far from being excellent. The state of ITS result shows that most of the ITS target are in fair state while further studies carried out on challenges facing ITS are irregular in lack of power supply, vandalization, poor maintenance, and poor replacement policy respectively. Conclusively, from the findings it was therefore recommended that there should be deployment of adequate and even distribution of efficient automated intelligent transport system that will complement the road transport infrastructure in managing and coordinating the flow of traffic such as signal control systems, parking guidance systems, travel and traffic information system, public transport priority system, and lane management