EFFECT OF ROAD ENCROACHMENT ON VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN ZARIA URBAN AREA

Urban transport corridors along commercial areas have faced different challenges from traffic congestion to parking difficulties. This research aims to examine the effect of road encroachment on vehicular traffic in the Zaria urban area a case study of the PZ central business district. Different encroachment factors were observed but the study is only limited to on-street parking, vendors or hawkers, and pedestrians. The primary data was collected through observation, videography, and personal view, and secondary data was also collected through photographs and maps. The video was used to analyze to estimate the combined effects of the above-mentioned factors, The Encroachment Index is used to determine the level of Encroachment. Vehicular speeds and capacity were estimated for with encroachment and without encroachment conditions. It was observed that vehicular speed decreases as encroachment levels increase at different traffic volumes. The result also revealed that It was observed that traffic composition in the study section was heterogeneous. The proportion of motorcycles and tricycles is more compared to other types of vehicles. The relationship between road encroachment and Urban road transport is not just a factor affected by vehicular traffic but as a factor that has resulted in increased traffic congestion. In conclusion, road encroachment affects vehicle operations and the environment. The study recommends that traffic congestion and other environmental issues should be managed through the eradication of on-street trading, on-street parking should be fined by the traffic officer and the government should provide official parking facilities and also monitor the use of setbacks along the road corridor.