CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Traffic congestion in commercial cities in Nigeria has been a cause for concern for every well-meaning Nigerian who craves for infrastructural development and maintenance. The continuous road traffic congestion in Nigerian cities especially in Lagos which started from the 1980s immediately after Udeoji award which enhanced household income and resulted to increased desire for both private and commercial vehicle ownership is intensifying on daily basis. The daily movement of people in Nigerian cities is becoming more difficult and complex.
Lagos state being the most populated state in Nigeria according to the national population commission has been engulfed in traffic congestion this may be due to population explosion and urban migration which has increased the pressure on the available infrastructure. This is reflected in the increasing bumper-to-bumper traffic being experienced in the major cities during the morning (7:00am – 9:00am) and afternoon (3:00pm – 6:00pm) peak hours (Okpala, 1981:46). In some cases, such as in Lagos, road traffic congestion is being experienced throughout the day from 8:00am – 9:00pm which can even extend into the dead of the night on occasions. In Lagos state especially, it is not uncommon for commuters to spend more than two hours enroute to work, school, market, hospital etc. or back home even when to and fro distance is not much. According to Okpala (1998: 23), the situation has become so common that it even appears that traffic hold-ups are becoming acceptable excuses for late attendance to work or even formal and informal meetings. This malady in most of the Nigerian cities has been causing people a lot of concern (Oyefesobi, 1981:35). It is posing formidable challenges to both state governments, Local government Councils, researchers and particularly the city residents.
1.2 Statement of the problem
The search for an enduring solution to the traffic problems will necessarily commence with thorough investigation that will unveil the factors responsible for such problems. This is what this study intends to do with particular reference to Oshodi-Apapa express way Lagos.