An Analysis of Traffic Congestion in Zaria Urban Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Traffic congestion hinders smooth flow of traffic and increases time between origins and destinations. This
study is aimed at analyzing traffic congestion in Zaria urban area.The study obtained data from questionnaire
survey, observation and secondary sources. The analysis was done using simple descriptive statistics and it
revealed that the causes of traffic congestion in the study area includes; poor parking habits, encroachment of
commercial activities such as the erection of container and wood shops on road shoulders, street hawking,
existence of narrow road and presence of pot holes. It was found that traffic congestion occurs mostly at peak
periods which depicts the time for rush hour and this covers both morning and evening periods. The findings
also showed that 86% of the respondents opined that traffic congestion can last for hours, while 14% of the
respondents were of the opinion that it can last for a few minutes to half an hour. Deductions from the analysis
of the study showed that consequences of traffic congestion can result in lateness to work and school, loss of
business contacts and increase in travel time. It is however recommended that the authorities concerned should
construct alternative routes in order to mitigate traffic congestion especially in the hotspots and ensure
enforcement of traffic control regulations in the study area.