Analytical Study of Causes, Effects and Remedies of Traffic Congestion in Nigeria: Case Study of Lagos State

Abstract

Road traffic congestion remains a global phenomenon that plagues the cities in Nigeria; especially Lagos state, resulting in massive delay, unpredicted travel times, increased fuel consumption and monetary loss. The phenomenon has arisen from the poorly planned road network and traffic management, resulting in elongated and unbearable traffic jams. Lagos – a megacity with over 12million people is chosen as a typical case study, being the fastest growing city in Nigeria. It is prevalent greatly during weekends, public holidays and periods of major activities. Major causes of the congestion include lane indiscipline, high traffic density, low road network carrying capacity, poor traffic management and support infrastructure, low response to the removal of broken down and crashed vehicles. This paper sets out to identify the diverse patterns of road traffic congestion in relation to human, road traffic environment and causative factors in a Nigeria’s major city of Lagos, being the commercial nerve center of Nigeria with a view to recommending some cost-effective and sustainable policy options for a better and enhanced intraurban mobility. The paper recommends the integration of an enduring urban traffic planning and management strategies, such as effective mass transit, strict land-use adherence, effective traffic control and enforcement and integration of traffic management institutions, the mechanism at discouraging excessive car usage