Weekday trip patterns of students in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

Data used were obtained from Obafemi Awolowo University Annual Report publication, questionnaire administration and interview on socioeconomic characteristics of off-campus resident students; travel characteristics and mobility pattern; perception on the availability of transport infrastructure as well as factors that determine the decision to reside off-campus. Results showed two main types of mobility patterns, viz: unidirectional (89.8%) and bidirectional (10.2%) movements. An average student spends between ₦31 and ₦175 (US$ 0.09 and US$ 0.48); and between 15 and 30 minutes, daily from their residence to the university. Gender, amount paid on house rent, family house ownership, and source of income were the main factors determining the choice of residential location among students. Proximity to bus stops and/or junctions, quick and easy access to motorcycles and buses, and nearness to park or garage were the most important factors that influence accommodation location choices among the off-campus resident students. The study concluded that transport infrastructure influenced the residential location decisions among off-campus resident students in the study area.