Assessment of the Causes and Effect of Traffic Congestion on Road Users in Major Road Intersection in Minna Metropolis

Abstract

Over the years, studies on traffic congestion have been conducted to assess the causes and effects on road users’ productivity, and the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This is because traffic congestion restricts commuters' movements and also shapes their lifestyles. This paper examined the cause and effect of traffic congestion on road users at major road intersections in Minna. The study employed both experimental and survey research design to study the traffic congestion around the major road intersections in Minna. Traditional traffic count was conducted by the authors in order to determine vehicular traffic volumes and its composition around the intersection. While at the same time the authors randomly distributed 384 questionnaires to capture the resident perceptions on the possible causes and effect of traffic congestion on the users. The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results suggest that there are 15,618 vehicular traffic volumes around the major intersections of roads in Minna, with private vehicles (i.e., 7231 cars) and tricycles (i.e., 4477 tricycles) accounting for the majority of the volumes. The study outcome also reveals among others that the presences of road side market, increased population, and lack of parking lots resulting to on street parking are some of the factors causing traffic congestion in the study area. In addition, some of the effects of traffic congestion identified were time wastage, higher transportation fare and higher fuel consumption. The study concluded that the effects of traffic congestion on road users in Minna were less when one compares it to that of mega cities in Nigeria. The study recommended that the Niger State Government, through her relevant agencies, should prevent unlawful road side commercial activities. They should also enlighten Minna residents about the dangers of establishing markets along the road sides .