Traffic Management System in Abuja City Center, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). A case study of FCT, Nigeria

Abstract

In any city in the world, moving from one point to another is an endurance task. Regardless of the social status of the traveller, the situations under which persons travel are becoming challenging gradually. The condition of Abuja traffic is no diverse. Efforts were made in this study, to map traffic conditions along selected corridors of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja using Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) Techniques. The primary data used includes the geographical coordinates of the chosen traffic corridors using GPS, the extent of vehicle traffic congestion and traffic counts along the corridors. Whereas the secondary data used are Abuja FCT’s topographical and road map from the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS). The data obtained were entered and used to develop an information system for traffic conditions (TCIS). Data recovered and attribute spatial analysis were displayed using ArcGIS 10. The results were presented in a map format, making it easy to interpret and quick to make decisions. The results display different levels of congestion and vehicular volume along digital traffic corridors. The results will be beneficial for agencies in charge of traffic conditions planning and management in Abuja FCT. GIS-GPS are powerful tools for both spatial and non-spatial data analyses. From the analysis, it can provide traffic data (Speed, Level of Service, Traffic and Delay Time) to transport planners in road controlling authorities in order to understand congestion better, determine its causes and prioritise investment where it is most needed.