A geographical analysis of intra-urban traffic congestion in some selected local Government Areas of Lagos metropolis

Abstract

Lagos metropolis and its transport system are intricately interdependent. The effect of transport on the city
either at the intra urban level or at the level of the spatial evolution of the city is significant. It is in this vein that
research work strives to geographically analysis intra urban traffic problems in Lagos metropolis with particular
attention to which local government areas traffic congestion occurs, what routes and at what particular point on
these routes congestion occurs. This gap has however witnessed a backstop in previous literatures as little
contribution has been made to the aspect of the research. Data were collected from primary and secondary. Two
sets of questionnaire were used for motorists and commuters in each local government areas under study. The
questionnaires were divided into two sections. Section A contained information on social economic
characteristics of respondents and section B contained general information on purpose of trip generated areas
of congestion, points of congestion, causes of congestions as well as ways of and how thing traffic congestion
in the study areas. The data collected were analyzed using various statistical techniques such as analysis of
variance (ANOVA) and simple percentage. The study shows that urban transportation is a two-edge sword that
is, transport contribute to the growth of urban environment and also brings some negative effectiveness to it. Be
that as it may, transport is necessary evil that cannot be avoided in our environment. What we need do is to find
means of mitigating the negative impact of transport which has been highlighted in the recommendation but may
not be exhaustive.