1 1 ASSESSMENT OF TRAFFIC CONGESTIONS IN AKURE (NIGERIA) USING GIS APPROACH: LESSONS AND CHALLENGES FOR URBAN SUSTENANCE.

The level of urbanization in developing world indicates that more people live in cities than before. This pattern induces pressure on traffic flow and makes living in urban area difficult. The situation, described above, has started to manifest in Akure, a medium urban centre in Nigeria. This study was therefore carried out with the aim of applying Geographic Information System (GIS) to investigate traffic congestion patterns in Akure and determine the management techniques suitable for their reduction. Topographical map of Akure as at 1966, Landsat images of Akure as at 1986 and 2002 were acquired and processed to produce the base map on which the major analyses were based. Major entities influencing traffic congestions were identified and modeled. Secondary data collected in form of traffic census for some selected road junctions in Akure were also processed and analyzed. The result shows two major ways by which GIS can provide solutions to traffic congestion in Akure. The first way is the provision of traffic information that enables commuters and motorists to take rational decisions as to which route to take during peak hour travel. The second is the determination of appropriat