TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN THE NEXUS OF MARKETS IN BENIN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Transportation and commerce are two intensive but conflicting land uses predominant in many urban areas of Nigeria. Transportation system involves the flow of people, ideas, materials, goods and services which are obligatory features of modern life. The paucity of control and management measures has generated diverse urban challenges like environmental pollution, transportation problems, unsanitary condition and epidemics. Many market places in Benin City were not established on modern planning principles but grew naturally in culturally determined locations. Many of the markets emerged from meeting places where traditional rites were held especially, within clusters of residential dwellings. Increasing size of these markets, inadequate accommodation and transportation facilities cause street trading, hawking and unauthorised parking that impede free traffic in Benin metropolis. This research investigated traffic management in the routes connecting markets in Benin looking at trip makers’ characteristics and the degree of connectivity of the selected markets among other factors. Data for the study were collected using primary data from the social survey of the activities of traders and households around the market places and road users plying the market routes in the metropolis. In addition, Government agencies provided the secondary data. The infrastructures investigated include roads and market places. The number of stalls was used to identify authorised sellers and the volume of traffic on the market routes was investigated through a traffic assignment census conducted manually and electronically. The questionnaire was administered to traders and households, and road-users (vehicle operators and commuters). The Nigerian Police, Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) and Oredo Local Government Council officials were also investigated. This was to ascertain the extent of government involvement in provision and management of markets and road infrastructure, and level of compliance with existing traffic management measures in the study area. Systematic random sampling technique was adopted to select traders and households around the market areas. As a result of the homogeneous transaction characteristics of all the markets in the study area, five percent (5%) of the sale stalls in each market were surveyed. The 155 variables investigated composed of 51, 58, and 46 for traders and households, road users, and Government agencies respectively. Thirty-six (36) assistants were recruited to administer the questionnaire and conduct the traffic count for three (3) months. Different statistical tools were used to analyse the results of the surveys because of the heterogeneous characteristics of the research variables. Descriptive method was used to analyse the single factors presented in tables and figures. Correlation (bivariate) analysis was used to confirm if there is any relationship between two variables, that is; Pearson product moment and point-biserial correlations assessed relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of trip makers and trip frequency. Spearman’s rho and Kendall’s tau correlations evaluated the relationship between the modes of transit, traffic congestion and market patronage; Chi-square tested the association among the socio economic characteristic of trip makers and modes of transit. On the other hand,regression (multivariate) analysis was used to investigate the influence of age and income (predictor variable) on trip frequency (dependent variable) in Benin. Graph theory (Gamma and cyclomatic indices) and matrix analysis were used to analyse the degree of connectivity of road network and level of market accessibility. The research findings show that; (i) income accounted for 53.7%, and other socio economic characteristics of trip makers influenced the frequency of trips at p<0.05 in Benin metropolis; (ii) mini-buses (48.40%) and cars (33.20%) were dominant modes of transit; (iii) eroded road surfaces, activities of revenue collectors and street begging, waste disposal, street trading and parking caused traffic congestion; (iv) abandoned motor parks, absence of bus-stops and lay-byes and poor adherence to existing traffic management measures inhibited free traffic; (v) good road network connectivity of 70% existed among the selected market places with Yanga market and Eki-Oba (189m apart) as most connected, accessible and patronised. Recommendations from the research findings include; (i) intensification of mass transit system and intervention to discourage frequent private car use in Benin metropolis; (ii) use of petrol tax an d parking charges, provision of zebra (pedestrian) crossing signs, bus priority lanes, ban of private cars on market routes at peak periods, use of alternative routes, regular road maintenance, and construction of bus-stops to manage traffic; (iii) a well formulated policy against revenue collection on movement routes, street begging, trading and parking by Edo State House of Assembly via legislation; (iv) establishment of Special Mobile Traffic Courts (SMTC) with legislative empowerment to enforce existing traffic management measures; (v) a pedestrian bridge should be constructed between Yanga market and Eki-Oba identified as traffic hot-spots; and (vi) market decentralisation and franchising of goods to reduce travel time, distance, fuel consumption, drivers’ fatigue and improve cost savings.