Seminar Paper: Dept. of Transport Management Technology, FUTO.

2004

Optimal Urban Transport System for a Developing City: A

Proposed Model for Owerri, Imo State.
D.E Onwuegbuchunam

Department of Transport Management Technology,

Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria.
E-mail: donafutow@yahoo.com
©Futo, 2004

Abstract
Growing urban vehicular traffic is a problem in most cities particularly in developing
economies where IT Technologies for better traffic management are lacking. The costs of
vehicle traffic congestion are enormous in terms of social blight, reduced mobility for the
citizenry as well as high cost of transport for material inputs in the manufacturing and service
industry. This paper examines typical transport problems in the City of Owerri in Imo State of
Nigeria. It adopts a simple methodology of analyzing the existing situation based on the spot
assessment of passenger/vehicular traffic flows and how they impact on existing transport
facilities. The city‟s Master-plan and other relevant documents examined provided some
theoretical basis for the analysis carried out. The paper concludes by recommending
appropriate urban transport system model based on study findings. It also identifies key policy
steps which the state government can take to improve the transport system‟s service in the short
and long term.

Keywords: Public/Private Modes, Transport System, Government Regulation.

1.0 Introduction

The advent of mechanized transport has increased mobility and enriched our lives in great
dimensions and it has also increased the price of transport usage in terms of human lives
through accidents, externalities – traffic congestion, noise, air pollution etc. For example,
the automobile that should symbolize freedom and self-fulfillment now seems to
increasingly restrict the mobility drivers expect it to provide. Instead of the freedom of
open road, people are experiencing long waits in traffic jams in many cities. Thus
transportation today has become a matter of public concern. Personal mobility has become
a highly valued goal. Our economic prosperity has become increasingly linked to efficient
movement of people and freight over long and short distances. A significant proportion of
our income in spent on transport and hence we often question its price, its efficiency, social
and environmental effects on our lives. The significance of transport in the progress of a
nation lies in the fact that mobility and accessibility are essential in the achievement of
balance in its economic, social and political sub sectors. At the societal level, transport has
social, economic and political dimensions interacting mutually to strike a balance like a
system. When transport is used as a means of moving tourists to tourist attractions etc,
their social goals are achieved and a social service is rendered. Economically, businessmen
in different parts of Nigeria for example, by means of transportation are able to exchange
goods, money, information and knowledge. Goods are moved from regions of low utility
to regions of high utility. Markets are expanded and economic wealth is made. Transport
can also be used to achieve a political balance or marginalization among or within regions
of a society.

1.1. Problem Identification

The positive effects of transport mobility to economic, social and political development of
a nation can be eroded by traffic congestion arising from poor traffic management, growth
in urban population with attendant lack in transport facilities to cope with increased

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demand for mobility. This scenario is often the case with urban transport in most
developing cities.

The growth of Owerri city over time brought pressure on its static (or shrinking) transport
facilities. The presence of old and new generation banks, two universities, a polytechnic
and colleges of education both within and around Owerri have brought about an increase in
population density with attendant increase in urban traffic. Urban transport traffic is of
peak nature in Owerri. Peak traffic usually occurs in the morning hours and evening hours.
In the morning hours, this usually consists of home to work trips, school trips etc. and
freight movement to and from the city; example, timber products, machinery parts or
agricultural products to the commercial and industrial centres. Late afternoon to evening
precedes another period of intense traffic occasioned by work to home trips, through or
transit traffic etc. Serious congestion occurs at these periods especially along the main
external tangents of Douglas Road and Wetheral roads.

Douglas Road has the largest traffic volume in Owerri during the peak periods. It serves
both as a collector and a distributor of urban traffic. This is true for the in town traffic as
well as the through traffic (which consists of freight trucks, luxury buses passing through
to either Aba or Onitsha etc.). Serious congestion results from this situation. The same can
be said of Wetheral road along which are located the timber market and the Imo Transport
Company. The timber market lacks parking facilities. Goods from (or meant for) this
market are loaded or discharged along the road thereby causing impediment to smooth
flow of traffic. The Imo Transport Company (ITC) situated along this same road lacks
adequate parking facilities, waiting lounge for intending travelers. The road segments
adjacent to the company are used for such activities illegally.

Apart from the traffic problem due to lack of transport infrastructures and need for
planning and re-planning, there is also the absence of mass transit transport facilities in
Owerri. Thus, four transport systems are in operation in Owerri; namely the public mode,
private mode, Para transit mode and motorcycle (Okada). These have enabled the
proliferation of transport units over inadequate road network and facilities with little or no
improvement in level of service offered. There has also been an increase in road accidents,
congestion, environmental degradation and high transport fares as a result.

Study Objective, Scope & Methodology

The central object of this paper is to analyze the above identified problems with a view to
recommending the appropriate transport system for the city of Owerri. Approaches to the
study of urban transport systems frequently employ the systems concept. Transport as a
system refers to the network of facilities employed in conveying persons or goods from
one point to another over a geographical space using any of the following mode systems;
vehicles, trains, ships aeroplanes etc. The scope of this paper will be limited to
examination of transport mode system in Owerri. Owerri, the capital city of Imo State,
with a population of over 2,000,000 people, is a predominantly civil servant city with few
industrial establishments and commercial centres.The geographical location of Owerri and
its natural endowment/constraints limit it to the use of road transport as a means of
transport within the urban centres, the suburbs and surrounding metropolitan towns. There
are no rail networks within the city, neither are there any connected to the national rail
networks. Owerri has no navigable river and hence there is absence of inland waterway
transportation facility. In addition, the only city‟s airport, which is located within 10km
radius of the township, is used for intercity movements. Its consideration is beyond the
scope of the present study.

Therefore, in studying the road transport system in use in Owerri effort would be made to
examine road transport infrastructure in the city to determine their suitability or otherwise.
Attention will be focused on the different transport modes (classified under public, private
and Para-transits) in use in the city; their capacity with respect to mass movement of
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people, operating characteristics, externalities, service levels, economy of operation and

how they serve the transport needs of city inhabitants and visitors. Emphasis would be laid
on technological superiority of which ever modes to be selected.

2.0. Brief History of Owerri City, Land-Use and Its Transport Infrastructure

Imo State was created with Owerri as its capital. As at the time of its creation, a large
number of people moved into it bringing about sudden population growth with the
attendant excess demands on its existing low infrastructures facilities. The idea of twin
city was conceived at the time of Imo State creation to marry the old town of Owerri and
the new one in a manner that avoids the juxtaposition of a shanty town with a beautiful
ultra modern city. A tangential road system was selected to provide solution to traffic
congestion (prevalent in most cities of Nigeria) by the ease of dispersal of vehicular traffic.
Owerri lies in the centre of a radial road network within the Southern part of the former
East Central state. Six major roads from Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Orlu, Okigwe, Umuahia
and Aba, all intercept at Owerri city. Therefore in order for the city to function, a simple
and expandable traffic concept was provided for. This is a hierarchy of a tangential road
system, which guarantees a high flexibility applicable to every stage of development and
adaptable to the existing road network.

2.1. Land Use Patterns

A central nucleus formed by the government and residential areas accompany a
commercial centre on all sides. Major employment sites are located north and south of the
residential areas. The maximum walking time from the immediate residential area to the
central government area is not more than 30 minutes.

2.2. Main Road Network

A loop of external tangents surrounds the city viz; Okigwe Road, Douglas Road, Wetheral
Road and Aba Road (this is the old city of Owerri). Middle tangents (Mbaise Road, Christ
Church Road, Old Okigwe Road) connect the different districts of the city and are linked
with the external tangents.

2.3. Residential Areas

Five types of housing areas can be distinguished namely, the traditional villages
(Umuororonjo, Umuodu, Umuoyima, Amawom, Umuonyeche), Ama Hausa quarters,
Township Housing, Government Station and Amakohia. In addition to these, are the new
layout housing namely: Ikenegbu, Aladinma, Prefab, Works layout, Trans-Egbu, Naze,
also World Bank housing Estate, and Federal Housing Estate, Umuguma both in the New
Owerri city.

2.4. Commerce
Commercial activity is focused around the markets. In Owerri, there are three major
market facilities; the main market (Eke-ukwu Oweri), the timber market and the new
market. The main market and the new market are located along Douglas Road and in the
centre of Owerri‟s urban core. There is also the relief market located within 3km radius of
the main market and meant to decongest it.

3.0 Transport Modes in Use in the City and their Characteristics

As stated before, the main transport modes in use in Owerri are the public, private
transport mode, the Para-transit and motorbike or Okada.

3.1. Public Transport Mode

This mode can be broken down into the following mode systems of units namely; the
minibuses, luxury buses, pick ups, and trucks for groupage freight carriage etc. The
minibuses are used to convey passengers and sometimes freight from the city centre to the
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suburbs and metropolitan towns like Obinze, Avu, Umuagwo, Ubomiri etc. and vice versa.
The large capacity of these minibuses in comparison with small automobiles makes them
service these routes at less cost to commuters than small vehicles. The luxury buses are
government owned or franchised and convey people to metropolitan towns of Owerri e.g.
Okigwe, Orlu, Umuagwo etc. Some are also routed outside the city for intercity operations.

In the area of freight transportation within the city and its suburbs, traditional pick-up
vehicles, straight trucks with petrol engines are in use. These are used to convey building
materials to housing estates under construction, industrial centres, and meat from abattoirs
or agricultural products from the hinterland to the city centre. The low tonnage of freight
movements within or its suburbs does not require the use of combination trucks or tractor
trailers. There is also in use, taxi cabs, which convey people from one point to another
along the major external tangents, the suburbs and metropolitan towns of Owerri. In the
past, the cabs were operated is such a way that passengers were provided with door-to door
services. The absence of this service from taxicab operators gave rise to another peculiar
form of transport mode system called the Okada or motorbike.

3.2. The Motorbike

The Okada form of transport came into existence in 1986 in Owerri. This has the
advantage of providing transport to the remotest parts of the city hardly accessible to road
vehicles and which lie outside the major roads. A motorbikes operator or Okada carries a
maximum of two passengers in addition to himself. However, since intending passengers
usually do not travel to the same destination, an Okada operator is usually limited to the
carriage of one passenger for a definite trip.

3.3. Private Mode

Another form of transport mode system is the private mode. The units involved are the
private cars. The rising income of many households has enabled more people to buy cars
and travel in them. Perhaps this accounts for the presence of many cars and intermediate
large cars in many parts of the city.

3.4. Para Transit Mode

At the last extreme is the Para-transit mode. This is dominated by many small buses, which
convey passengers to and from the city. These buses convey passengers from the city
centre to suburbs like the Federal Housing Estate Umuguma, World Bank Housing Estate
at New Owerri, also to Egbu, Naze etc. Although these routes are also serviced by
taxicabs, their capacities are hardly enough to satisfy the transport needs of the respective
commuters. There is absence of mass transport units like trains or tramways owing to non-
availability of applicable right of way facilities.

4.0 Traffic Structure of Owerri City

Estimates indicate that only 44% of the civil servants working in Owerri live within the
urban area (5km radius) see fig. 1.0. There is congestion in housing facilities; lack of
accommodation in the township has forced majority of the civil servants to live in the
suburbs of Owerri. This means that the important commuter communities are Orji, Egbu,
Naze, Emekuku, Irete, Nekede, and Fedeal Housing Estate Umuguma etc. In addition, the
close links of Owerri with its immediate hinterland is a very significant factor to traffic
contribution. Past traffic surveys conducted show that the Owerri metropolitan area (20km
radius) consisting of Mbaitoli, Ikeduru, Mbaise, Ohaji, Izombe, Umuguma contribute to
67% of the origin of cars, and 82% of the taxis entering Owerri, through-traffic excluded.
Rural urban traffic from the immediate hinterland thus constitutes the major component of
motor traffic flow into the city.

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Seminar Paper: Dept. of Transport Management Technology, FUTO. 2004

10 KM

Irete

Owerri 5KM Akabo

AVU

Nekede

Obinze Uratta
Figure: 1.0
Source: Author

The traffic volume emanating within the city environs, from suburbs, the metropolitan area
and through-traffic fluctuates. For example, the great majority of morning and evening
peak hour traffic consist of home to work trips and vice versa. The rest of the peak hour
traffic (observed along the external tangents) is business traffic and freight traffic etc.

5.0 Goals of the Proposed Transport System

Given the above traffic structure, the appropriate transportation system to be

recommended for the city should satisfy the following objectives:
i) Must have sufficient capacity to move people and mass on home to work trips
and vice versa within Owerri urban, the surrounding suburbs and
metropolitan area.
ii) Should possess the flexibility to take people from door to door at minimum
cost (in terms of time and distance) through all sections of the city.
iii) The mode units or systems should be such that the transport needs of different
segments of the population (transport users) area satisfied.
iv) The system should possess sufficient capacity to convey freight within the
city and its suburbs.
v) The transport system should be adaptable to the existing transport
infrastructure facilities.
vi) The system should therefore serve the transport needs of the population
conveniently, safely, regularly, and at reasonable cost with reduced vehicular
pollution and noise etc.

6.0 Selection of Optimal Transportation System Based on Analysis of the Existing

Situation
Four types of transport modes are in use in carriage of passengers and freight in Owerri.
These are the private mode, public mode, semi-public mode and Para-transit modes.
Increasing household income has meant increased car ownership. Many civil servants and
even some in private sector travel to work in their private vehicles. There is also the public
mode: buses, intermediate cars, Para transit (kombi buses) which move passengers to and
fro suburbs, metropolitan towns and freight from hinterlands of Ohaji, Oguta etc. The state
run transport company and other private transport companies‟ move inter urban traffic.
However, passenger movements within and around the city are achieved by means of
taxicabs and motorbike popularly called Okada. The motorbike came into being when the
taxicabs could no longer offer door to-door transport services. The population of Owerri
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has been on the increase since its creation, rising to about 500,000 (1996 estimates)
excluding the metropolitan and suburbs traffic. Thus the existing transport system, which
hardly emphasizes mass movement of this lot, does not adequately serve the transport
needs of this growing city. This is evident in the frequent congestion, accidents, and high
travel times experienced in the city.

7.1 Public Transport System

A city size of 200,000 – 1,000,000 inhabitants ideally requires a local tram way network
with an additional local and regional bus line network. However, such a system is not
feasible for Owerri in the short term. There are no major industrial sites that permit mass
movement of people to major industrial centres. Owerri is predominantly a civil servant
town with few business merchants, itinerant workers whose places of work are located at
different segments of the city. Local tramway works efficiently in places like South Africa
where regional bus lines pick commuters from various segments of black townships and
convey them to the major industrial centre (coal mines). Besides, tramways operate on an
exclusive right of way unrestricted from the interference caused by highway vehicles.
Such infrastructures are lacking in Owerri. Therefore, the level of traffic volume,
assignment and land use activities in the city do not permit such a public system of
transport. Even if the government should provide the infrastructure, operation of such
system will result in low capacity utilization. Of course, the operator of a transport unit is
concerned with the following:

i) The total operating costs.

ii) The profit he can make
iii) The flexibility of the technology to cope with varying demands and attitudes.

Double-decked buses are not ideal for the present situation because of headroom space
they occupy. The geometric design of the tangents eliminates this option. Besides, the
presence of overhead cables in different parts of the city poses another constraint. Double
decked buses possess adequate capacity to move people en mass at less cost to the user.
Therefore the choice of public transport system is limited to the use of mini-buses and
taxicabs. Mini buses can satisfy the demands of commuters within the city, from suburbs
and metropolitan town to urban centres and back. These buses have carrying capacity of 61
passengers. Mini buses commonly in use are Mercedes products with diesel engines. These
buses are strong and robust but emit much noise to the environment. Note that the more
efficient diesel engines operate at considerably high peak pressure and higher rates of
pressure rise, which in turn, creates noise and vibration. Steam engines have been found to
emit less exterior noise than do diesel buses, but interior sound levels are similar or
sometimes higher. They do, however, reportedly produce up to 30.5% less carbon
monoxide and up to 80% less hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen than less conventional
diesel buses. Unfortunately, steam buses appear to consume up to three times as much fuel
as conventional diesel buses. This is a source of disincentive to operators who could switch
to such technological innovation.

Based on this analysis, the conventional diesel buses are recommended for use in public
transportation. But terminals of adequate capacity and waiting lounges should be provided
at strategic locations within the city. This would reduce congestion and hence noise
experienced particularly along Douglas and Wetheral Roads. According to Grad (1974),
the congestion endemic to urban centres aggravates a noise problem with reflection among
buildings and sheer proximity makes this inevitable. Thus, with each halving of distance
between sources and listeners, sound pressure increases to 6 dB (A).

7.2 Taxi Cabs

Taxicabs are internal combustion petrol engine automobiles used for point-to-point service
mostly along the main external tangents. Their carrying capacity is low in comparison to
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buses. When fully loaded, a taxicab has a carrying capacity of 8% of the full capacity of
mini bus. Taxicabs operators within the city have no specific loading terminal but jostle for
passengers along the main roads. Some may run the entire journey with full or less than
full and sometimes empty cabs. This accounts for high fare cost charged for taxis in
comparison to buses for the same journey. However, the unregulated entry of cab operators
into the urban transport sector has led to proliferation of fewer roads worthy vehicles.
Besides, too many of these cabs without expansion in road network, absence of traffic
signals at intersections or traffic wardens on shift duty have led to congestion, noise and
social blight. In terms of cost of operation, congestion means fuel is burnt (wasted) at
„holds-ups‟. The higher operating costs are passed on to transport consumers in form of
higher fares. Much as taxicabs (mode system for public transportation) remain a good
alternative for transport consumers who place much value on travel time, there is need for
regulation and frequent checks to ensure that only roadworthy ones ply the urban centres.

7.3 Private Mode

The private mode system in use has been identified as private cars. Most households in
Owerri own more than one car. Although this mode of transport offers much flexibility, the
user can move at any time of the day and travel to any part of the district. But the growing
number of cars in the city has not helped the flow of traffic given the present infrastructure
constraints/conditions. This is evident during peak hour traffic of mornings and evenings.
To the extent that too many cars impede traffic flow on narrow roads, limited network
connections, it should be discouraged. Perhaps the „car sharing‟ concept practiced in most
advanced countries should be adopted. People working in the same area can travel together
rather than individually. This would require public enlightening and conviction to achieve.
Alternatively, the use of non –motorized transport like bicycles should be encouraged.
Bicycles in use in Chinese urban centres use up less space than automobiles emit no
pollution and do not contribute to noise like automobiles. This transport unit would require
certain infrastructures; right of way bicycle paths which are not in place in Owerri.

7.4 Para-Transit Modes

The Para-transit mode units are the „kia kia‟ buses. In Owerri city, these consist of thirteen
(13) seater and eighteen (18) seater buses that ply to and fro the suburbs and metropolitan
town from the township. They are usually cheaper in terms of fare costs when compared to
taxis for the same journey. The Para transit buses have higher carrying capacity than
taxicabs, attain the same travel speeds. With proper co-ordination, these buses could
provide the same level of service as taxicabs at less cost to the users. The Para-transit mode
works well in most other cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt and Benin. The city municipal
council outlaws their use in Owerri urban traffic movement. However, based on their
relative higher carrying capacities and lower fares, small buses are recommended for
transport of passengers from point to point within the city, along the major roads not just to
the suburbs as is the case. This would require requisite waiting terminals or bus stops for
passengers, built in lanes for parking of buses along the major external tangents. Efficient
operation of these units would encourage competition and perhaps eventually stifle the
overwhelming majority of taxicab operators whose operations constitute much vehicular
congestion at the urban centres. This is evident in Lagos where the few cab operators in
service operate special drops or restrict their operations to passenger movements from
point to point along a particular route or street. Movement along major roads is made
using small buses.

7.5 Motorbikes or Okada

The motorbikes are unique in their service in that they provide door-to-door service to
transport consumers. However, their carrying capacity is low, they are expensive to use
and unsafe as the operators are usually not trained and licensed. Besides, there are no
motorcycle-only-lane facilities within Owerri urban network. The use of same lanes with
vehicles has resulted in many accidents, which cost injury or life and damage to people‟s
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property. In place of motorcycles, the use of tricycles (popularly called Maruwa in Lagos)
is recommended for door-to door transport services within Owerri. These have higher
carrying capacity (four passengers excluding the driver) and are more stable on the road
than motorcycles. Each stands on three wheels. In addition, tricycles can use shared lanes
and commuters are more protected in accident circumstances. However, potholes on our
roads should be filled as they are critical to the stability of tricycles in motion.

8.0 Long-Term Goals of the Selected Transport System

i) To contribute to the economic growth of the city through provision of efficient
transport service to its industrial, commercial and social centres.
ii) To meet social needs by securing a reasonable level of personal mobility in
particular by maintaining public transport for the many people who do not
have the effective choice of traveling by car.
iii) To minimize the harmful effects, in loss of life and damage to the
environment that are the direct physical result of the transport we use
(externalities).

The drive for improving industrial performance is at the centre of the government‟s
economic strategy. This means that the raw materials that our industry produces must be
moved quickly, cheaply and efficiently to their destinations. In turn, this depends upon
industry having a reasonable degree of choice in selecting the form of transport that best
meets its particular needs. The social needs for transport also rank high – the needs of
people to have access to their work, shops, recreation and the range of activities on which
civilized society depends. It should be the government‟s aim, to set a framework within
which such needs can be met. Increasingly, people have chosen to use their own transport
as ownership of a car has come within their reach, and the increase will go on. But for
many people, the need for public transport will remain. The special needs of elderly people
and disabled people cannot be met exclusively either by public or private transport. Many
are sufficiently mobile to benefit greatly from a reliable public transport system, if it is
accessible and within their financial means. Others, particularly those whose mobility is
more severely restricted, may have to depend largely or entirely on private transport.

Public transport is usually but not always more efficient in the use of energy than cars.
Both buses and train with full or average loads have the advantage particularly for journey
to work in towns and cities. In urban areas, the maintenance of efficient public transport
(that encourage mass movement of commuters) and the effective management of traffic
will serve energy as well as social and environmental aims. But where public transport is
highly used, it often has little or no advantage over the car in saving energy and the interest
of conservation will be served by making better use of the car for example by car sharing
rather than the use of separate cars.

9.0 The Role of Government

The provision of mechanized transport consumes a large amount of our national resources.
But it exists simply to enable people to travel and goods to be moved. Most personal travel
is by car and most freight movement is by pick-ups. Day-in and day-out, most transport
needs are met with little government intervention. Nevertheless, it is the government that
should determine the rules and the framework within which the principal decisions about
transport are made. Government‟s main task should be to plan and provide facilities to
meet demand. New roads should then be built to provide enough capacity to eliminate
congestion. New road building can bring benefits but it can also cause great social and
environmental damage. Unrestricted freedom for the car would undermine public transport
ever, further leaving those who depend on it even worse off. A wholly free market in
transport could be brutal. Government has a responsibility not only to balance benefits to
individuals against costs to the communities, but also to maximize the benefits, which the
transport system as a whole can provide. Each mode of transport (public or private) must
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be judged on the same criteria and encouraged (through appropriate policy) to do what it
can do best in terms of both economic and social costs.

10 Instruments of Governmental Involvement

The typical ways by which government intervenes in the market place to accomplish
objectives that in its representational role, finds to be in the public interest, include soft
promotion, regulation and investment.

i. Soft Promotion
Refers to attempts by the government to encourage or to discourage certain situation
without legally requiring them. An advertising campaign favouring use of non-motorized
transport like bicycles aimed at reducing vehicle emission or as a strategy to reduce energy
consumption is an example of soft promotion.

ii. Regulation
Regulation refers to those government actions that place legal requirements on individuals
and firms to satisfy the public interest. Transportation related examples of regulation
include the legislation against non-use of catalytic converters that reduces vehicular
pollution.

iii. Investment
Investment involves the financial support: public financing of road improvements and
public ownership of transport services. Reduced tariffs on „Tokunbo‟ mass transport
vehicles like buses in order to achieve mass movement in public transportation. As much
as possible, government should use such instruments to ensure quantity and quality
transport system within the city.

11.0 Summary and Conclusion

The major movements within urban areas of Owerri are related to travel undertaken by
people. The means of travel available for urban passenger transportation are in the main
land based and include private transportation (walking and private motor vehicles) and
various public transportation services, of which some are highway based (that is regular
city cabs) for the public transportation. Analysis showed that in the short term, the
transport units in use should be continued due to transport infrastructure constraints.
Minibuses and molue are still recommended owing to their relative higher carrying
capacity. Government should have to invest in facilities; provide good terminals, traffic
signals and good road networks to reduce congestion.

In the long term, the use of high mass transit system is recommended. These include:
Rapid transit (with exclusive right of way systems). Examples are heavy rail, light rail,
fixed guide-way, bus etc. Use of Para-transit modes like small buses should be encouraged
as against the use of taxicabs for public transportation. Buses have higher passenger
capacity than taxi. Elimination of taxicabs (through government encouraged competition)
will reduce congestion and improve the level of service offered to commuters at less cost.
For small freight movements (agricultural products to the markets or building materials to
building sites), uses of straight trucks with double axle should be encouraged. These trucks
have higher capacity than pick-ups (single axle) in use. Besides, double axle ensures better
weight distribution and less pressure on road pavements. For the private mode of
transportation, government should encourage use of non-motorized transport like bicycles,
since movement by trekking within any part of Owerri urban takes less than 30 minutes.
Non-motorized transport is cost effective, causes no air pollution of congestion. In the
alternative, i.e. use of private cars, it should be minimized through issuance of parking
permits or public enlightenment and adoption of car sharing concept. The motorbike
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should better be replaced with tricycles (Maruwa) through government legislation.

Tricycles carry more passengers than motorbikes and protect commuters more during
accidents.

References

Euritt (1987). Economic factors for developing Fine schedules for overweight vehicles
in Texas; Transportation Research Record. National Research Council
Washington D.C.
Grad, F.P (1974). The Automobile and The Regulation of its Impact on the Environment;
University of Oklahoma Press Norman, 1994.

Other Publications
“Imo State Capital Owerri Master Plan Town City” Fingerhuth and Partners.
Feldgegstrasse 80 8008 Zurich/Switzerland.

“Transport Policy” Development of Transport Scottish Development Department Welsh

Office.

“Secure Human Mobility in the future” http//www.Magazine-Deutshland.

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