Usage of pedestrian overpass in Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThis study addressed the safety challenge, motivation, and utilization factors regarding the usage of the pedestrian overpass by different people of dissimilar ages alongside Oba Adeshida road at Oja-Oba (Oba market) in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. It addressed the following objectives: determined the value of the pedestrian overpass as used by people of different ages; examined the reasons for using the pedestrian overpass in Akure; and examined the performance level of a pedestrian overpass in Akure.MethodsIn total, 384 users (who used the bridge) were purposively sampled for questionnaire administration, but 324 users participated in the questionnaire, which included multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Also, personal observation was employed for queue analysis. The “Semantic Differential Scale” and single-server queue system for the single queue were employed for data analysis.ConclusionsIn Akure, there was low or no usage of the pedestrian overpass when the road median was made use of metal and low concrete; but when the road median was made use of high concrete barrier, there was high usage of the pedestrian overpass. It also revealed that the engineering design of the pedestrian overpass is low compared to the contemporary design solutions in addressing the urban societal needs. The pedestrian overpass was used frequently and every day because it provides access to the car park, market, and central mosque. The performance of the pedestrian overpass in Akure is 105% which indicates that the pedestrian overpass is over-utilized by a pedestrian. It is recommended that there is a need to construct another pedestrian overpass to enhance the efficiency of the structure. The existing and future pedestrian overpass should be redesigned to constitute interesting aesthetics and architectural solutions that could harmonize with the environment and enhance flow of the disabled persons.