Commercial Bus Research Articles

Examination of the Effects of Inadequate Parking Infrastructure on Traffic Flow in Ikeja Central Business District, Lagos Metropolis

Parking problems are very common in the Central Business District of Nigerian cities as a result of the rapid urbanization and large volume of economic activities that takes place within them. A good example of this within Lagos State is the state capital, Ikeja LGA, with its Central business District having multiple parking challenges both in terms of space provision, distribution and volume of vehicles requiring parking services. In view of the above issue, this research had undertaken an assessment of the impact of inadequate parking infrastructure on traffic flow in Ikeja Central Business District, Lagos Metropolis. This is for the purpose of solving the traffic congestion problem and parking challenges within the Ikeja CBD. Furthermore, the objectives of the research are to: determine the factors responsible for parking problems; identify the determining factors for the distribution and capacity of parking facilities; investigate the effectiveness of the existing parking infrastructure in meeting the demand of the growing parking needs; evaluate how efficient the agencies responsible for parking control and enforcement are in preventing parking related problems; examine the effect of parking related problems on traffic flow and congestion in Ikeja CBD. Clustered and stratified sampling techniques were used to select respondents for questionnaire administration and field measurement. The study found that the most critical parking requirement is for the commercial bus services and followed by shopping services around Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, computer village, Opebi, Kudirat Abiola road, Alausa and Allen Avenue and others. It was also discovered that absence of planned parking infrastructure around Ikeja CBD is the cause of on-street parking and traffic obstruction along the major and minor roads within the CBD. Nonetheless, the study recommended among others, the adoption of parking management, provision of additional standard parking facilities and information system, proper land use allocation and control, traffic control and enforcement. Keywords: Parking, Traffic, Transport, Congestion, Vehicular, Metropolitan, Central Business District (CBD) DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-14-10 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

Hydration and water intake practices of commercial long-distance drivers in Ghana: what do they know and why does it matter?

BackgroundThe World Health Organization indicates that hydration is indispensable to human life. A long-period of dehydration can result in fatigue, drowsiness and mental confusion which can result in committing serious blunders. For commercial drivers, however, these blunders can be life-threatening and their hydration cannot be overemphasized. AimThis study was therefore undertaken to assess the water intake practices of Commercial Long-Distance drivers (CLDDs). The study was also aimed at assessing their knowledge levels on the role of water in promoting a healthy body and the consequences of dehydration. SettingCLDDs in Ghana who ply between Accra – Cape Coast – Takoradi or Accra – Kumasi. MethodsA cross-sectional study which involved 256 CLDDs was conducted at six (6) commercial bus stations in Accra and Cape Coast from December 2019 to January 2020. Structured questionnaires were administered to obtain socio-demographic and water intake practices of CLDDs. SPSS was used to generate descriptive statistics based on the data collected. ResultsA high proportion (57.8%) of the CLDDs reported that they drunk about 2500ml–3000ml of water on a daily basis. Most (53.1%) relied on their thirst feeling to prompt them to drink water. A little over half (51.1%) consumed energy drinks believed to hydrate the body. A major barrier to drinking water regularly was to avoid frequent stop-overs to use the washroom while travelling. ConclusionThe findings reveal concerns about knowledge gaps with regard to the importance of water consumption and barriers to adequate drinking of water among CLDDs. Findings also suggest that many CLDDs relied on their thirst perceptions to prompt them to drink water. Health Education programmes targeting CLDDs should include conveying the importance of water intake and healthy hydration practices for optimal physical and cognitive performance.

The Burden of Drug Abuse in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of Epidemiological Studies and Drug Laws.

Background: The burden of drug abuse is becoming a public health concern in Nigeria. Preventive measures should include identifying the root causes of the burden for targeted intervention. We, therefore, aim to conduct a scoping review of the literature to summarize the findings of epidemiological studies on drug abuse and provisions of drug laws in Nigeria. The review also provides appropriate recommendations as interventions for prevention. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of the literature on PubMed to identify information on drug abuse and drug laws in Nigeria from the inception of the database to March 2020. Additional information was retrieved from Google Scholar, a manual search of included articles, discussion with experts on the subject matter, and gray literature. Study selection was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements. Information from gray literature was assessed for quality and accuracy using the AACODS checklist (authority, accuracy, coverage, objectively, date, significance). Results: The systematic search of the literature generated 253 studies. Nine articles were obtained from other sources. After the selection process, 23 eligible studies were included for review. A prevalence of 20–40% and 20.9% of drug abuse was reported among students and youths, respectively. Commonly abused drugs include cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, diazepam, codeine, cough syrup and tramadol. Sources where abusers obtained drugs, were pharmacies/patent medicine shops, open drug markets, drug hawkers, fellow drug abusers, friends, and drug pushers. Drug abuse was common among undergraduates and secondary school students, youths, commercial bus drivers, farmers, and sex workers. Reason for use included to increase physical performance, stress and to derive pleasure. Poor socioeconomic factors and low educational background were the common risk factors associated with drug abuse. We identified several drug laws and policies that were established under government agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) and a Presidential Advisory Committee. Conclusion: Findings from epidemiological studies on drug abuse in Nigeria has demonstrated that the burden of drug abuse is still high despite the existing drug laws, policies, and strategies for prevention. Measures to reduce the burden should involve the community, government, and religious bodies. Preventive measures should target the youths, the students, identified sources of the drugs, reasons and risk factors associated with drug abuse in Nigeria.

Health-seeking behaviour of commercial bus drivers in Uyo, Nigeria

Background: Commercial driving is a highly demanding job which often exposes the drivers to different health problems necessitating treatment. Various treatment options are available to these drivers. The objectives of this study were to assess the health problems and health-seeking practices of commercial bus drivers in Uyo, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in March, 2020. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis of data was carried out with IBM SPSS Statistics, version 20.0. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 121 male respondents participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 40.45 ± 10.49 years. More than half 71 (58.7%) respondents had completed secondary education. The most common health problems reported by respondents were low back pain (55.4%), insomnia (55.4%) and body aches (52.1%). The usual sources of treatment were chemist (60.3%), herbal remedies (51.3%), health facility (25.6%) and self-medication (17.4%). Among 32 (26.4%) respondents that ever had fractures, 23 (71.9%) received treatment from bone setters. Care seeking in health facility as reported by the drivers was mainly influenced by treatment cost (43; 35.5%) and waiting time (23; 19.0%). Conclusion: Commercial drivers in this study obtained treatment more frequently from places outside the health facilities. Health education on advantages of expert medical consultations and treatment in health facilities should be carried out through their transport unions. Furthermore, mechanisms to reduce waiting time and treatment cost in health facilities should be explored for this group of workers.

Energy drink: the consumption prevalence, and awareness of its potential health implications among commercial drivers in the Ho municipality of Ghana

BackgroundConsumption of energy drinks has become an escalating global public health problem. The work schedule and irregular sleeping habits of commercial bus drivers make them highly susceptible to getting fatigued, hence most of them consume energy drinks as a fatigue management strategy. However, consumption of energy drinks produces numerous psychomotor side effects that if consumed among drivers puts the traveling public in danger of road accidents. This study sought to assess the prevalence of energy drink consumption and awareness of associated potential health problems among commercial long-distance bus drivers operating from the Ho municipality.MethodsThe study population comprised about 266 commercial bus drivers. This was a cross-sectional study involving 132 participants who completed a structured questionnaire on the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, frequency of consumption and reasons for consumption. It also included questions to assess the knowledge of the ingredients and side effects of energy drinks. Respondents were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square test of association were used to analyse the data.ResultsA majority (62.1%) of the drivers had more than 10 years of commercial driving experience. A 75% energy drink consumption prevalence was recorded with driving performance enhancement (78.8%) as the predominant reason for consumption. 7–10 bottles per week were consumed by most (32.2%) of the drivers. Also, 72.0% had poor knowledge of the side effects linked with energy drink consumption as well as the ingredients for preparation.ConclusionEnergy drinks were consumed by the majority of the drivers at the Ho main bus terminal of which most of the drivers had poor knowledge of the potential health problems linked with the consumption of these drinks. The consumption of energy drinks was observed to be higher among the drivers with lower education levels, higher monthly income and those who worked long hours in a day. The Ghana National Road Safety Commission (GNRC) in collaboration with other private road transport unions in Ghana should organize regular seminars for commercial bus drivers on the potential dangers and effects associated with energy drink consumption.

Modification in commercial bus model to overcome aerodynamic drag effect by using CFD analysis

In India coach buses are generally used for long journey from 400 km to 600 km. Volvo B11R bus is widely used by private as well as state government players for its comfortable ride and luxurious feel. No engine is 100% economical so few other parameters influence the fuel consumption and one of them is Aerodynamic drag which depends on exterior body. Without affecting structural integrity of bus body B11R the design changes done with conforming Bus body code AIS-52.CATIA V5 R19 is used for bus body model and Ansys fluent for CFD analysis. Existing bus body CFD analysis is compared with modified design of bus body on different speed varies from 80 kmph to 120 kmph cause the aerodynamic effect is prone on these speed ranges. Drag coefficient is compared both models and analyzed for future design of bus body.

Conceptualization and Modeling of a Flywheel-Based Regenerative Braking System for a Commercial Electric Bus

Conceptualization and Modeling of a Flywheel-Based Regenerative Braking System for a Commercial Electric Bus

EVALUATION OF NUCLEAR CHANGES IN THE BUCCAL EPITHELIAL CELLS OF TOBACCO USERS IN NNEWI, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate nuclear changes in the buccal epithelial cells of commercial bus drivers using tobacco in Nnewi. Tobacco use constitutes a major risk factor of oral lesions, due to its genotoxic and mutagenic effects on the buccal cavity epithelial cells.
 Methods: One hundred and twenty-three subjects, consisting of 83 tobacco users (test group) and 40 tobacco and alcohol non-users (control group) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Buccal smear was obtained from each participant, processed, and stained with the Papanicolaou staining method. Two hundred cells were counted for each stained slide and the percentage of various nuclear changes determined, and the repair index calculated. Comparisons of nuclear changes between and within groups were carried out using the Kruskal–Wallis H-test with p<0.05 considered significant.
 Results: Micronuclei were the most prevalent nuclear changes (100%) while broken egg nuclei were the least (15.2%). Nuclear changes were most prevalent among snuffers (33.42%). A statistically significant difference (p˂0.05) was observed when the median values of nuclear changes were compared in different study groups and control subjects. Similarly, the prevalence of nuclear changes increased with the age of subjects and the duration of tobacco use, whereas the repair index decreased with increased prevalence.
 Conclusion: Increased nuclear changes were observed in the buccal epithelial cells of tobacco users, with snuff inhalation slightly impacting more severe effects than cigarette smoking. Buccal smear cytology may constitute an effective screening method for precancerous lesions amongst tobacco users.

Health Information Literacy: An Assessment of Commercial Bus Drivers’ Patronage of ‘Mama Put’ Food Outlet, and Their Sense of Vulnerability to Food Poison

Health information can be an effective means of guiding consumers to healthy eating as well as make them aware of certain diseases that can be contacted as a result of unhygienic environment where food is prepared or sold. Despite hygienic environment, little is known about the actual impact of health information literacy on commercial bus drivers about “mama put” food outlets. The work was an empirical study and survey research design was adopted. The work was anchored on Consumer Pull Model. Data were collected in Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria among commercial bus drivers by administering questionnaire to a sample of 352 respondents at Upper Iweka Motor Park, Onitsha. This study found that commercial bus drivers in Onitsha are not health information literate and not aware that patronizing “mama put” food outlets make them vulnerable to food poison. It also established that price of a plate of food and quantities are two major factors that influence commercial bus drivers to patronize mama put food outlets. Based on these findings, this study recommended that health regulatory bodies should educate both the “mama put” food vendors and the commercial bus drivers on the importance of hygienic environment where food is prepared or sold. Keywords: Health information literacy, “Mama Put”, Commercial bus drivers, hygienic environment, Food poison. DOI : 10.7176/JPID/50-08 Publication date :June 30 th 2019

Butyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate

Millimeter-sized crystalline particles of butyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate, C21H34O3, magnitudes larger than adherent particulate matter commonly observed during routine filter service inspections, were found in a commercial bus engine running on compressed methane biofuels and subjected to single-crystal XRD investigation. The structure is fully ordered and shows molecules in rather extended conformations being linked into chains by O—H...O hydrogen bonds.

Corruption on the Road: a Test of Commercial Drivers’ Encounters with Police Extortion in Lagos Metropolis

Over the past three decades, the public outcry over the incidence of police corruption in Nigeria has increased despite concerted efforts to reform the police and improve their service delivery. Of recent, the public resentment of police involvement in street corruption, abuse of crime suspects, and extra-judicial killings has caught the attention of the international community and led to human rights groups’ agitation for the overhauling of the police particularly the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). This study was conducted to investigate the experience of police corruption, specifically extortion and victimization, among commercial drivers in Lagos metropolis. The study sought to know whether the nature of service rendered by the commercial drivers and their level of education are associated with police extortion and victimization. It also investigated other possible predictors of exposure to police extortion. The study was carried out among taxi drivers, commercial bus drivers, motorcyclists, and tricyclists in Ikeja, Mushin, and Somolu local government areas of the state. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design and mixed method of data collection. Multi-stage sampling and convenience sampling techniques were adopted. A sample size of 300 was chosen. Structured questionnaire, observation, and in-depth interview guide were used to gather data from participants. It was found that the nature of service rendered by the commercial drivers were associated with both experience of victimization (χ2 13.229; p = 0.004) and police extortion (χ2 = 9.630; p = 0.022), while the level of education was not significant. Ethnicity and encounter with police were other significant predictors of exposure to police extortion.

A Fault Diagnosis Expert System for Commercial Bus Manufacturing process

Bus manufacturing is one of the important assets in automotive industries as well as mode of public transportation. The design process is difficult and long throughout time. Moreover, there are many manuals, rules and regulation according to different standard which make the standardization and design process to be difficult and time consuming. Hence, this project describes the use of an expert system shell for commercial bus design. In bus manufacturing field, design of commercial bus is heavily depending on human experts. With the help of expert system, process of design commercial bus will be shortened up to 56.5% compared to conventional way. The developed system can be used as a training module for inexperienced personnel. In this research work, the fault diagnosis system was developed by using Kappa-PC expert system shell. It is supported by object orientated technology for the MS window environment. Lastly, the developed system will be validated with a case study to verify the capability of the developed system.

Evaluación mediante software de la efectividad de los anclajes de cinturón de seguridad de un asiento comercial de autobús según la regulación ECE R14

El cinturón de seguridad es un elemento importante para mantener al ocupante sujeto al asiento durante un accidente; sin embargo, si el anclaje del cinturón no resiste durante la colisión, el ocupante es expulsado del asiento, por tanto, es indispensable analizar su efectividad. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la resistencia de los anclajes para cinturones de seguridad de dos y tres puntos de anclaje de un asiento comercial de autobuses, aplicando la Regulación de la Comisión Económica de las Naciones Unidas para Europa (ECE-R14). Las propiedades de los materiales de la estructura del asiento y de los anclajes del cinturón se obtuvieron mediante ensayos de tracción y flexión. Estos valores se utilizaron para elaborar un modelo de elementos finitos utilizando el material Piecewise Linear Isotropic Plasticity de Ansys – LsDyna. Los anclajes se evaluaron aplicando fuerzas en los bloques pélvico y torácico sujetos a través del cinturón según lo especificado en la regulación. En el análisis los anclajes presentaron grandes deformaciones llegando a la ruptura, modificando la forma y posición de los anclajes e incrementando refuerzos estructurales en áreas de mayor solicitación los anclajes cumplieron con la regulación. Este trabajo pretende crear una metodología para la industria de asientos que permita evaluar sus modelos previos a homologaciones.

2366 - Perception of Bus Drivers on Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Kaduna, Nigeria

Background About 66% of new HIV infections occurred in sub Saharan Africa. Despite advances in understanding of HIV and its prevention and treatment, too many people living with HIV or at risk, still do not have access to prevention, care, and treatment, and there is still no cure. The paper examines the characters of intra city commercial bus drivers in Kaduna metropolis, a major transportation hub for northern Nigeria, on their perceptions of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). A typical commercial bus in Kaduna State is a 10seater bus shuttling the length and breadth of the metropolis and also the intercity shuttle. Bus drivers are among the high risk group in terms of HIV infection due to their lifestyle. Previous studies done in Nigeria have linked bus drivers to increasing rate of road traffic accidents due to drug abuse and misuse, while their roles as potential carriers of STDs in the dynamics of HIV/AIDS infections have not been explored. Methods Using the Kaduna State secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, one of the umbrella bodies for commercial bus drivers with a strength of 2,360 registered drivers and 1,948 functioning vehicles as the center, data was collected from 306 commercial bus drivers at four different motor parks within the metropolis with the use of a structured questionnaire testing the level of knowledge of the respondents on sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, the risk behaviors and their general attitude when on and off duty. Data on HIV/AIDS were also obtained from the Kaduna State Ministry of Health which shows that in 2014, 26,868 men from age 15 and above were HIV positive while 158,284 female of the same age group were HIV positive and 21,129 people have STD reported cases, ditto 2015, 24,520 male, 155,594 female and 14,641 reported cases in the state. Results Analysis revealed 7.9% agreed to taking alcohol before driving. 14.7% take energy boost of different kinds regularly and 17.6% take occasionally. 30.7% occasionally engaged in extramarital affair while 5.9% practice it regularly. Poor knowledge of the risk factors for STDs was exhibited as 13.4% of them believe the local charm and 7.2% chose the withdrawal method during intercourse and 39.2% does not believe in any prevention method. Conclusions Bus drivers have a high risk of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Diseases. It is therefore important that health officers be drafted to motor parks to create more awareness on what STD is all about and how to prevent it especially among the drivers as they play a major role in the transmission.

반응 표면법을 이용한 버스 리어바디 공력 변수 최적화에 관한 연구

반응 표면법을 이용한 버스 리어바디 공력 변수 최적화에 관한 연구

Evaluation for Fatigue and Accident Risk of Korean Commercial Bus Drivers.

Many Korean bus drivers work long hours, which causes fatigue and increased risk of accidents during driving. Their fatigue due to long working hours may cause a significant accident accompanied by injuries of the general population. The present study aimed to evaluate the fatigue and accident risk in Korean commercial bus drivers. The subjects were 16 city and express bus drivers with various work schedules: 2 shifts (2 shifts in a day), WR (duty-off), W2R (duty-duty-off), and W4R2 (duty-duty-duty-duty-off-off). We measured the subjects' heart rate in their workplace during their work and calculated relative heart rate (RHR) and maximum acceptable work time (MAWT), the maximum amount of time for which workers can sustain their workload without physical fatigue. Fatigue and risk index, which is a tool for assessing the risk from fatigue in the safety critical workers, was calculated using the subjects' work schedule. RHR ranged from 9.7 to 21.8% and MAWT was shorter than each subject's actual work hours. Fatigue (45.2-54.4) and risk indices (1.8) were high in WR schedule, which were higher than recommended value (30-35 for fatigue index and < 1.6 for risk index). According to these findings, Korean bus drivers worked long hours beyond their physical abilities, and the fatigue and risk indices were high, especially in WR schedule. It is necessary to prepare the policies to reduce the fatigue and accident risk in the Korean bus drivers including regulation for bus drivers' driving time restriction.

Lived experiences of inter-urban commercial bus drivers involved in road traffic crashes in Central Region, Ghana

ABSTRACTInterurban commercial bus drivers are confronted with inherent risk of over speeding, road curvature, road geometry, and weather condition predisposing them to Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs). Lived experiences of inter-urban commercial bus drivers involved in RTCs in Ghana remains relatively underreported. This relates to their experiences and opinions on the causes of RTCs and the post-experiences as survivors. This paper is an exploratory qualitative study involving face-to-face in-depth interviews with 15 interurban commercial bus drivers who survived RTCs and still drive. The sample was a mix of purposive and snowball sampling techniques at the terminals/stations of interurban commercial bus drivers in Cape Coast, the Capital city of Central Region. The analysis revealed environmental factors (such as weather condition, road surface, road curvature) accounted for the RTCs. Survivors received poor pre-hospital trauma care and no welfare package. Measures to RTCs could include road/transport infrastructure improvements and survivors are to be provided with social welfare package.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Its Risk Factors for Commercial Bus Drivers in Korea

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Its Risk Factors for Commercial Bus Drivers in Korea

The influence of obesity, insomnia and OSA on excessive daytime sleepiness in commercial bus drivers

The influence of obesity, insomnia and OSA on excessive daytime sleepiness in commercial bus drivers

Factors contributing to intercity commercial bus drivers' crash involvement risk

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to examine the influence of demographic, environmental, and occupational factors as well as behavioral characteristics of intercity bus drivers on their crash involvement risk. A total of 107 intercity bus drivers from Tehran, Iran, participated in the study. Logistic regression model suggested that smokers, those who drive during night to morning, less experienced drivers, and those who operate older buses are more likely to be involved in crashes. In addition, a 1-unit increase in the weekly driving hours might significantly increase the drivers' crash involvement risk. The model results also indicated that hazard monitoring, fatigue proneness, and thrill seeking might be considered other significant predictors of crash involvement risk. Implications of results are discussed.