TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

1.1 Introduction

Traffic congestion is defined as the condition of traffic delay of vehicles and that relates to the difference between the existing roadway system performances and its actual condition (Lomax et al., 1997). It occurs when the number of vehicles set out to use a roadway at same time and when the vehicular volume on transportation system exceeds the capacity of that system (Weisbrod et al, 2001), (Rosenbloom, 1978). Congestion may take place either at regular intervals of time which can be predicted or at irregular times which are unexpected and unpredictable. Congestion adversely affects the economy and social well-being of the road users by wastage of time, deterioration of the health, travel time delay, inability to forecast travel time, increased fuel consumption which causes air pollution and gas emission, wear and tear on vehicles, noise pollution and reduction in road safety.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Transport is one of the key sectors of the economy. It plays a vital role in the daily activities of economic development. It serves as a catalyst in production, as it facilitates the movement of inputs to production points and evacuates products for storage or marketing. Its role is essential for all aspects of the social and economic life of society (NTP, 2011). Transportation, especially road transport, is a basic necessity for people after lunch and shelter.

With an efficient, safe and affordable transport system that offers the option of different modes of transport, accessibility to basic needs can be improved; many costs can be saved; productivity can be increased; and thus human and economic development can be improved. In addition, the reduction of pollution, the reduction of necessary transport spaces and the improvement of road safety lead to an improvement in the quality of life (Robin and Wytse, 2011).

Pacione et al., (2005) argued that inefficient and inefficient transport systems significantly limit economic development, social opportunities and social interactions. Access to affordable and good quality public transport is essential for the urban population, since its absence generates economic, social and physical isolation (Department of International Development, 1999). The problem seems to affect low-income communities in suburban areas with inadequate access to public transport and other basic urban infrastructure (Hine, Olvera et al, 2003). In general, transportation is essential for development because, without physical access to resources and markets, health, education and other social services; quality of life suffers, growth stagnates and poverty reduction cannot be maintained. Motorized transport, with its corresponding negative impacts, contributes greatly to creating an imbalance between the three aspects of sustainable development: economic growth, social progress and environmental protection (Robin and Wytse, 2011).

Lagos is one of the largest industrial, commercial and public administrative centers in Nigeria; host many offices of many ministries and departments, private sectors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Nigeria generates more than 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of countries and contributes 80% of domestic revenues to national governments. Therefore, it remains the center of all economic, social and political activities; locally and internationally, and as such it remains the center of all kinds of paraphernalia and is the most populous and busiest city in the country (Setebe, 1994).

The city of Lagos is characterized by a high proportion of informal development and poverty, where almost 70% of its population lives in informal settlements (World Bank, 2002). Most people cannot afford to buy a private car and around 75% of trips to the city are by public transport and on foot (Olvera et al., 2003, Nkurunziza et al., 2012).

Population growth, urbanization and family income that create a greater propensity to travel; marked increase in car ownership; and the increase in commercial and industrial activity has in turn led to an increase in the demand for car transport (Oni, 1999: UN, 2011). However, this increase does not correspond to the expansion of the physical infrastructure of the city, which is one of the essential facilities for the establishment of an adequate and efficient transport system. If roads become impractical due to lack of facilities to allow vehicles to circulate efficiently, the most notable effects are traffic jams. The consequence of these bottlenecks is the inefficient and inefficient use of material and human resources in particular.

Therefore, in Eleme where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Traffic congestion and economic impact.

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1.3 Statement of the Problem

Although Lagos is an axis of Nigeria's economy, road traffic congestion is a headache and a burning problem for public and private institutions; and the inhabitants of the city in general. Congestion in the city is associated with an increase in vehicle queues and poor accessibility to work and homes, especially in the morning and afternoon hours. Serious traffic congestion is observable between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (the time that most workers go to their workplaces), the hours between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. lunch breaks) and the hours between 03:00 and 08:00 p. m. Based on these facts, it can be established that the majority of workers and people in general report very late in their work stations, such as offices, markets, schools and hospitals. This means that some may report on time, although very tired and stressed, and others may not. Others face the problem of a few hours of sleep due to early awakening and late sleep, wasted time in queues, overtime work and a few hours to rest at home after work.

The loss of time of road vehicles due to traffic congestion is determined based on more or less estimated queue lengths, congestion periods and average queue speed (Hansen, 2000). It is clear that people in Nigeria spent more time in traffic queues than in other transactions. In general, transportation in Nigeria is chaotic, inefficient, unreliable and dangerous. It negatively affects society, especially the urban poor, through loss of productivity, inhibiting human development and reducing the quality of life. It is said that all these complications and problems that most employees and people in the general public encounter in varying degrees and circumstances are directly associated with the congestion of existing road traffic. However, its economic impact remains largely unknown and is probably not well documented, so to speak. Consequently, the objective of this research was to examine the economic impact of traffic congestion in Nigeria.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to assess the impact of road traffic on the economy of Nigeria, using Eleme in Port Harcourt, River State as case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the impact of road traffic on the economy of Nigeria.
2. To determine the relationship between the existing road traffic congestion and the work performance.
3. To evaluate the loss from the road traffic congestion.
4. To examine the physical/mental complications caused by the traffic congestion that affect work performance.
5. To identify supporting policies that may need to be put in place to reduce road traffic congestion.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Does road traffic have negative impact on the economy of Nigeria?
• Is there any relationship between traffic congestion and work performance?
• What are the impacts of road traffic on the economy of Nigeria?
• What is the loss from the road traffic congestion?
• What are the complications caused by road traffic congestion that affects work performance?
• What are the supporting policies that need to be put in place to reduce the road traffic congestion?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant relationship between traffic congestion and work performance
• H1: There is significant relationship between traffic congestion and work performance

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant impact of road traffic on the economy of Nigeria
• H1: There is significant impact of road traffic on the economy of Nigeria

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1.7 Significance of Study

It is clear and obvious that road congestion is a resounding phenomenon, a hot topic for the inhabitants of all cadres in the city of Nigeria. This is because every person who lives, works or even visits the city is affected or affected differently by existing traffic jams, leaving aside the general impact on the job performance of city residents. This research work was to show how road congestion affected Nigeria's residents socially and economically.

Specifically, it showed its connection to work performance and other socioeconomic aspects of daily life. The investigation provided a clear picture of the degree or estimated loss so far caused by traffic congestion. As the immediate side effects of traffic jams are late, this document has shown how it affects people in the performance of their daily tasks / programs, while investigating whether mental or physical complications related to traffic jams can occur. annoy them daily. routines Research will help us learn about the different philosophies or techniques that individuals and organizations choose to address the problem.

The document presented several strategies used and those that are being implemented to alleviate the traffic congestion problem in the city of Nigeria. Most importantly, the research provided relevant recommendations and suggestions based on the nature of the findings and linking them to the current national transport policy. In addition, the research pin has highlighted some areas that will require more research in the future, provided there is a gap between this study and other studies on the problem.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Traffic congestion and economic impact using Eleme District in Port Harcourt, River State as a case study.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).