Associated Challenges of Parking Facilities at Commercial Banks in Minna, Niger State.

Abstract

Vehicular parking in urban area is a major component of urban transportation system that exhibits the common challenges associated with traffic congestion. With the increase in urbanization rate and the development of commercial banks in large and semi-urban cities, there is an increase demand for parking facilities especially for bank customers, to avoid on-street parking and traffic congestions within banking environment. This study in respect to parking space facilities, thus, examines the locational distribution pattern and capacity of existing parking facilities at commercial banks in Minna core area. Both primary and secondary data were employed for the study. Locational coordinates for all the banks were collected using GPS and the space available for vehicle parking at different banks were mapped. Google earth map was digitized to establish the locational distribution of existing commercial bank in Minna. Based on the assumption of variance of distribution of commercial banks in Minna, quadrant count statistical method was used for the purpose establishing the pattern of distribution of banks. Measurement of inequality of parking areas among banks was analyzed to show the relationship of space acquired for banks and the available space for parking purpose. The study shows a total number of twenty-one (21) banks distributed the major highway of Minna. With reference to the quadrant count analysis, the cluster pattern of the distribution of parking lots in Minna was thereby confirmed. Outcome of the investigation on total land coverage of the bank and the available space for parking shows an expanse of land: UBA 2 (13860m2) and Unity Bank 1 (5954m2), Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) (900m2), UBA 2 and Union Bank (540m2). Consequently, large portions of the land have not developed for parking purpose. The study concluded that transportation tributary such as parking facility is a vital ingredient integrated to attaining harmony, tranquility and sustainable environment around intense human activity such as banks. It therefore, recommended the provision of adequate parking facility in banks, as the development will go a long way to solving the problem of indiscriminate on-street parking and traffic congestion around banking environment. Hence, advocating for a safe, convenient, efficient and comfortable parking facility is the key to attaining an organized and sustainable society for living and health.