Effectiveness of road traffic congestion measures in the Sekondi -Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

An effective transportation system is significantly important in sustaining economic growth in modern-day economies as it provides connections between different parts of the country and the global world. Good road network links to work, deliver products to market, underpins logistics and supply chain, and also support local and international trade. However, it has been observed that road traffic congestion has been a major transport challenge faced by cities in Ghana. It is against these premise that this study is been conducted to investigate the causes and effects of traffic congestion in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. The target population of the study were drivers, motor-cycle riders and stakeholders involved in road traffic management. A total of 198 respondents were sampled for the study. Questionnaire and interview guides were employed for data collection. Interviews were transcribed and then categorised under specific themes. Data from questionnaire were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Results indicated that the major causes of road traffic congestion included picking and dropping of passengers on the road, inadequate parking space, inadequate routes, illegal parking, as well as bad attitudes of drivers in the metropolis. Economically traffic congestion increased drivers expenditure on fuel and also passengers complained of delays to work and other social activities. Current road traffic congestion measures instituted to check the traffic situation were not effective in reducing the menace. The study recommends that, rules governing road traffic acts in the metropolis should be enforced by the Motor and Traffic Directorate of the Ghana Police Service and Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.