1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
Street trading has emerged as a prominent feature of urban life in many developing nations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, it is an essential component of the informal economy, providing employment and income opportunities to millions of people who might otherwise be unemployed (Aderamo & Olatujoye, 2013). However, while it plays a socio-economic role in urban livelihoods, its unregulated nature often results in significant disruption to urban infrastructure, particularly transportation systems. The relationship between street trading and traffic performance has become a growing concern among urban planners and traffic management authorities. Street traders often occupy road shoulders, pedestrian walkways, junctions, and other transport corridors in order to maximize customer access and visibility. This encroachment frequently leads to bottlenecks, reduced lane capacity, increased travel time, and higher risks of vehicular and pedestrian accidents (Ibrahim, 2014). The inability of city authorities to properly regulate or relocate street vendors further complicates efforts to ensure smooth traffic flow and effective road usage.
In many Nigerian towns and cities, including Offa Town in Kwara State, the situation is particularly troubling. Offa is a fast-developing urban settlement, known for its vibrant markets and commercial activities. The town’s central business areas, especially around the Owode Market, are heavily congested due to intense street trading activities. Vehicles often struggle to maneuver through crowded streets, resulting in gridlocks, frequent delays, and an overall decline in transportation efficiency. Pedestrians are also forced to walk on roadways due to blocked sidewalks, further exacerbating the risk of accidents and slowing traffic movement.
According to Afolabi (2015), the lack of urban planning enforcement, limited provision of designated market spaces, and the socio-economic dependence on informal trading have made street vending in Offa difficult to manage. Efforts by local authorities to displace traders or enforce traffic regulations are often met with resistance from traders and community members who rely on street trading for survival (Afolabi, 2015). As a result, the town continues to face growing challenges in balancing economic activity with traffic order and public safety.
Street trading according to Bromley (2000), also referred to as informal or roadside trading, is the act of selling goods and services on streets, sidewalks, and other public spaces rather than within formal commercial premises. It is a widespread practice in many developing countries, including Nigeria, where it plays a significant role in urban economies and provides livelihood for a large segment of the population (Bromley, 2000). Traffic performance and control relate to the efficiency with which vehicular and pedestrian movements are managed on roadways. Factors affecting traffic performance include road design, vehicle volume, traffic regulations, and activities along the roadway, including street trading. The encroachment of street traders onto roadways and sidewalks often leads to traffic congestion, reduced road capacity, pedestrian-vehicular conflicts, and heightened risks of accidents (On-street Trading Report, 2017). Offa Town, a growing urban center in Kwara State, Nigeria, typifies the challenges associated with street trading. The town experiences frequent traffic disruptions, especially during peak trading hours and market days, primarily due to the activities of street traders who occupy road shoulders, junctions, and walkways. This study is therefore motivated by the need to investigate the specific impacts of street trading on traffic performance and control in Offa Town.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that street trading has become an inseparable part of the urban landscape in many Nigerian towns, including Offa. While it provides livelihoods for many urban dwellers, it is also contributing to significant challenges in traffic management and urban order. In Offa Town, the proliferation of street traders along major roads, junctions, and market areas is affecting traffic performance and complicating efforts to maintain efficient traffic control. The informal occupation of road shoulders and sidewalks by traders is reducing effective carriageway width, increasing travel time, and leading to frequent gridlocks, especially during market days. Pedestrian movement is also severely affected, as walkways are obstructed, forcing people onto vehicular roads and increasing the risk of accidents. The resulting traffic congestion is not only frustrating for motorists and commuters but is also affecting emergency response time and the general mobility of goods and services within the town.
Additionally, traffic control measures such as signage, road markings, and enforcement by local authorities are often undermined by the unregulated activities of street traders. The inability of existing institutions to enforce traffic and environmental laws is further compounding the problem. Poor urban planning, lack of political will, and limited engagement with stakeholders are also contributing to the worsening traffic situation in the town (Aderamo & Olatujoye, 2013).
Furthermore, the issue is not only infrastructural but also socio-economic, as any attempt to displace traders without providing alternatives is likely to face resistance. This complex intersection of survival economics and urban order presents a major policy dilemma. Without urgent and well-informed intervention, the impact of street trading on traffic performance in Offa is likely to escalate, undermining urban safety, productivity, and quality of life. It is against the backdrop that this study is therefore motivated by the need to investigate the specific impacts of street trading on traffic performance and control in Offa Town.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of street trading on traffic performance and control in Offa Town, Kwara State, with the goal of identifying the challenges posed by street traders to traffic flow and recommending solutions that balance economic survival with traffic efficiency.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of street trading on traffic performance and control in Offa Town. The specific objectives of the study are as follows:
- To assess how street trading activities affect traffic flow and congestion in Offa Town.
- To identify the specific locations most affected by street trading-induced traffic issues.
- To examine the effectiveness of current traffic control measures in Offa Town.
- To recommend possible strategies to manage street trading without impeding urban mobility.
1.5 Research Questions
Based on the objectives of the study, the following research questions have been formulated:
- How does street trading affect traffic flow and congestion in Offa Town?
- Which areas in Offa Town are most affected by street trading-related traffic issues?
- How effective are the existing traffic control measures in managing the influence of street trading?
- What strategies can be adopted to regulate street trading while ensuring efficient traffic performance?
1.6 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research will guide local authorities in creating sustainable strategies to manage street trading without jeopardizing livelihoods. In addition this research will also contribute to academic discourse on informal economies and urban transport dynamics in developing countries.
Furthermore, Government authorities will be informed on how to implement effective street trading regulations. Additionally, road users will benefit from improved traffic flow and reduced commuting time.
Lastly, street traders will be considered in inclusive policy-making that respects their economic contribution. Researchers will also use the findings to further explore urban informal economies and mobility challenges.
1.7 Scope of Study
This study is limited to Offa Town in Kwara State, Nigeria. It will focus on the impacts of street trading activities in and around major traffic corridors such as the Owode Market area and other high-traffic zones. The Kwara State Ministry of Works and Transport, as well as Offa Local Government Council, will be referenced for data and regulatory frameworks.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
Several limitations were encountered during the course of this study, which may have influenced the results and conclusions.
- Time Constraints: A study of this nature needs relatively long time during which information for accurate or at least near accurate inference could be drawn. The period of the study was short, time posed as constraints to the research.
- Financial Constraints: The research would have extended the survey to other area at the empirical level, but limitation as included cost of transportation to the source of material and the cost of time setting of the already completed work.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Street Trading:
The act of selling goods or services in public spaces, such as roadsides, sidewalks, and markets, without a formal shop structure. It is often part of the informal economy in developing countries (Adegun, 2013).
Traffic Performance:
A measure of how effectively a road network supports the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, often assessed through indicators like travel time, speed, and congestion levels (Oni, 2010).
Traffic Control:
The mechanisms, policies, and infrastructure used to regulate vehicular and pedestrian flow on roadways to enhance safety and efficiency, including traffic lights, road signs, and enforcement personnel (Ibrahim, 2014).
Urban Mobility:
The ability of people and goods to move efficiently within a city or town, influenced by infrastructure, transport systems, and land use planning.
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