TRANSPORT SYSTEM PLANNING: INTERACTION BETWEEN CAPACITY UTILIZATION AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN NIGERIA

One of the greatest challenges most developing countries are facing is the need to improve the transportation systems in their cities. In achieving this, emphasis has been put on the role of infrastructure development to improve the mobility of residents and reduce the negative externalities, such as traffic congestion, associated with most cities in both developed and developing countries. Hence, this study evaluates the impact traffic volume, in relation to available infrastructure capacity, has on traffic congestion, within the dynamics of a rapidly developing urban environment. Though there appears to be a consistent state of slow-moving traffic on two of the roads studied, traffic congestion is not critical, which suggests that available infrastructure is being appropriately utilized. This study found a statistically significant negative relationship between capacity utilization and traffic congestion levels.