Using Geographical Information System (GIS) Techniques in Mapping Traffic Situation along Selected Road Corridors in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Moving from one point to another in any city in the World is an endurance test, regardless of income or social status, the conditions under which people travel is becoming more and more difficult. The traffic situation in Lagos Metropolis is no different. In this paper, effort has been made to map out traffic situations along selected corridors in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria using Geographical Information System Techniques. The data used in this study were obtained from Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) agency, topographical and road map of Lagos metropolis from Lagos state ministry of Land s and Survey and Lagos state ministry of Transport. In addition, primary data include the geographic coordinates of the selected traffic corridors using GPS (Global Positioning System), observation of the nature of vehicular traffic congestion and traffic counts along the corridors. The data obtained was entered and used to developed traffic situation information system (TSIS). Data retrieved and spatial analysis from attributes were shown using ArcGIS 10. The results were presented in map format which makes for easy interpretation and quick decision-making. Geographic Information System is an effective tool to display different levels of congestion and vehicular volume along digital traffic corridors. This will be very useful for agencies in charge of traffic situations planning and management in Lagos state and Nigeria at large. Keywords: Geographical Information System (GIS), Lagos metropolis, Traffic Congestion, Traffic Corridors