Pattern and Characteristics of Traffic Congestion in Nigerian Metropolitan Centres: an Example of Abeokuta Metropolis

Abstract Against the background of the ineffable hardship on residents and commuters, this paper examines the intensity, pattern and characteristics of traffic in the selected road corridors in Abeokuta metropolis, Nigeria. Data on road types and land use types was obtained through a structured observation using a predesigned checklist. Traffic census was conducted to obtain traffic characteristics, using the morning and evening peaks as a parameter. The traffic volume and traffic capacity were measured in "vehicle per hour" (vph) and Passengers Car Unit per hour (PCU/hr). The differences in traffic volume at different peak hours were analyzed with the chi-square test, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was deployed to analyse the variations in traffic composition among the studied road corridors. The study finds that Sapo-Ijaye-Iyana Mortuary (2315 vph) recorded the highest daily peak traffic volume, cars (4444 vph.) had the highest numbers traffic composition, while buses (4872 PCU/hr) are the most impactful class of vehicles. The Chi-square test shows that with x = 0.822604; p = 0.84405 there are no significant differences in the vph between morning and evening peaks, while the ANOVA shows that with f = 3.3106 and p = 1.0000, the traffic composition did not vary significantly across the studied roads. The study recommends the enhancement of road capacities through upgrading to meet the current and future transportation requirements. The study also suggests alternative traffic routes such as rail lines to support the movement of heavy-duty trucks.