Problems of Vehicular Traffic and Its Implications on the Economy: A Study of Calabar Metropolis

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue XI, November 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Problems of Vehicular Traffic and Its Implications on the Economy: A Study of Calabar Metropolis

Bassey Enya Ndem (Ph.D)¹, Ofem Lekam Ujong (Ph.D)², Edim, Paulica Linus³

^1,2Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calabar., P.M.B. 1115 Calabar, Nigeria
³Joyce Udensi Scholarship Hostel, University of Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract: – This research project focused on “The problem of vehicular traffic and its implications on the economy a case study of Calabar Metropolis.” This study focuses on three flash points that were randomly mapped out – UNICAL Roundabout and its environs, Watt Market Roundabout and its environs and Atimbo Roundabout. 150 structured questionnaires were administered totaling 450 respondents around these flash points. Rush hours in the morning between 7am-7:30am and afternoon peak periods of 6pm-7:30pm were considered appropriate times for the study. It was observed that congestion causes health related hazard, low productivity and other economic related problems. A comparative analysis was checked and it was discovered that developed counties traffic congestion was not a challenge despite their increased passenger car units (PCU). The descriptive statistics, simple percentages and the one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the significant difference in the spatial distribution of traffic congestion within the traffic points. The critical F- value was rejected because it was lower than 3.478 hence there is no significant difference in the distribution of traffic and health hazards in the metropolis. All recommendations presented were the one’s given by these respondents.

Keywords: Roundabout, Watt Market, Atimbo, Metropolis, Traffic, Passenger

I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Vehicular traffic problems have remained a major thread due to the ever increasing number of vehicle on the road and this has led to series of traffic challenges especially in developing countries. Urban transportation is a major issue in the planning of any city. Movement from one part of the city to another (Urban migration) constitutes major problems to countries of the world today including Nigeria. Vehicular traffic emission remains a threat to the environment and health related issues as vehicle ownership increase. Over 800 million people globally are minute-by-minutes exposed to hazardous level of traffic generated pollutants according to the United Nations Statistics in 2006.

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