Perceived Potentials of Rail Mass Transit in Ibadan

Abstract

As a strategy to address persistent intra-city transportation challenges in
Ibadan metropolis, especially in the face of rapid population increase and
urban sprawl, the study explored residents’ perceived potentials of
introducing intra-city mass rail transport system in the metropolis. Both
primary and secondary data were sourced and used for the study.
Discontinued skeletal intra-city rail system that was introduced in the
metropolis, together with existing major traffic corridors was used in
selecting five traffic corridors from which systematic random sampling
technique was used in selecting 582 residential buildings from 67,540
residential buildings found within 100 metre cordon created on both sides
of these corridors. A set of questionnaire was used in obtaining relevant
information, especially on socio-economic characteristics and travel
behaviour, from household heads selected at the rate of one per selected
building. In-depth interviews were conducted with a cross-section of major
stakeholders in the metropolis on their perceived potentials and
challenges of mass intra-city rail system. Secondary data were obtained
from both published and unpublished sources. Descriptive statistics was
used in analyzing quantitative data obtained, while qualitative data were
content analysed. The study revealed that intra-city rail mass transit
system is perceived to have very high potentials in the metropolis in terms
of traffic congestion reduction, reduction in per-capita crash rate,
increased modal choice for the residents, enhanced consumer savings, and
employment creation. Major challenges envisaged for the mass transit
system include, change in transport culture and orientation and huge
infrastructure outlay among others. Strategies were proposed to address
the identified challenges.