1.1 Introduction
Traffic congestion is defined as the condition of traffic delay of vehicles and that relates to the difference between the existing roadway system performances and its actual condition (Lomax et al., 1997). It occurs when the number of vehicles set out to use a roadway at same time and when the vehicular volume on transportation system exceeds the capacity of that system (Weisbrod et al, 2001), (Rosenbloom, 1978). Congestion may take place either at regular intervals of time which can be predicted or at irregular times which are unexpected and unpredictable. Congestion adversely affects the economy and social well-being of the road users by wastage of time, deterioration of the health, travel time delay, inability to forecast travel time, increased fuel consumption which causes air pollution and gas emission, wear and tear on vehicles, noise pollution and reduction in road safety.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Road Traffic congestion consumes hours and wastes people's time, delays employees, customers, suppliers and management from meeting up with appointments. In a study carried out by Golden (2012), working hours were associated with firms' performance and it was discovered that time wastage reduces performance. In the case of employees, when hours are wasted in traffic it will reduce the available hours to work for the organization, thereby reducing their productivity and invariably firm performance.
Transport is one of the key sectors of the economy. It plays a vital role in the daily activities of economic development. It serves as a catalyst in production, as it facilitates the movement of inputs to production points and evacuates products for storage or marketing. Its role is essential for all aspects of the social and economic life of society (NTP, 2011). Transportation, especially road transport, is a basic necessity for people after lunch and shelter.
With an efficient, safe and affordable transport system that offers the option of different modes of transport, accessibility to basic needs can be improved; many costs can be saved; productivity can be increased; and thus human and economic development can be improved. In addition, the reduction of pollution, the reduction of necessary transport spaces and the improvement of road safety lead to an improvement in the quality of life (Robin and Wytse, 2011).
Pacione et al., (2005) argued that inefficient and inefficient transport systems significantly limit economic development, social opportunities and social interactions. Access to affordable and good quality public transport is essential for the urban population, since its absence generates economic, social and physical isolation (Department of International Development, 1999). The problem seems to affect low-income communities in suburban areas with inadequate access to public transport and other basic urban infrastructure (Hine, Olvera et al, 2003). In general, transportation is essential for development because, without physical access to resources and markets, health, education and other social services; quality of life suffers, growth stagnates and poverty reduction cannot be maintained. Motorized transport, with its corresponding negative impacts, contributes greatly to creating an imbalance between the three aspects of sustainable development: economic growth, social progress and environmental protection (Robin and Wytse, 2011).
Population growth, urbanization and family income that create a greater propensity to travel; marked increase in car ownership; and the increase in commercial and industrial activity has in turn led to an increase in the demand for car transport (Oni, 1999: UN, 2011). However, this increase does not correspond to the expansion of the physical infrastructure of the city, which is one of the essential facilities for the establishment of an adequate and efficient transport system. If roads become impractical due to lack of facilities to allow vehicles to circulate efficiently, the most notable effects are traffic jams. The consequence of these bottlenecks is the inefficient and inefficient use of material and human resources in particular.
Therefore, in Ikwerre where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Road Congestion in Company’s Performance.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Road traffic congestion is a headache and a burning problem for public and private institutions; and the inhabitants of the city in general. Congestion in the city is associated with an increase in vehicle queues and poor accessibility to work and homes, especially in the morning and afternoon hours. Serious traffic congestion is observable between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (the time that most workers go to their workplaces), the hours between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. lunch breaks) and the hours between 03:00 and 08:00 p. m. Based on these facts, it can be established that the majority of workers and people in general report very late in their work stations, such as offices, markets, schools and hospitals. This means that some may report on time, although very tired and stressed, and others may not. Others face the problem of a few hours of sleep due to early awakening and late sleep, wasted time in queues, overtime work and a few hours to rest at home after work.
The loss of time of road vehicles due to traffic congestion is determined based on more or less estimated queue lengths, congestion periods and average queue speed (Hansen, 2000). It is clear that people in Nigeria spent more time in traffic queues than in other transactions. In general, transportation in Nigeria is chaotic, inefficient, unreliable and dangerous. It negatively affects society, especially the urban poor, through loss of productivity, inhibiting human development and reducing the quality of life. It is said that all these complications and problems that most employees and people in the general public encounter in varying degrees and circumstances are directly associated with the congestion of existing road traffic. However, its economic impact remains largely unknown and is probably not well documented, so to speak. Consequently, the objective of this research was to examine the Effect of Road Congestion in Company's Performance in Ikwerre Road Port Harcourt.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the impact of road traffic on the economy of Nigeria, using Ikwerre Road in Port Harcourt, River State as case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the impact of road traffic on the economy of Nigeria.
- To determine the relationship between the existing road traffic congestion and the work performance.
- To evaluate the loss from the road traffic congestion.
- To examine the physical/mental complications caused by the traffic congestion that affect work performance.
- To identify supporting policies that may need to be put in place to reduce road traffic congestion.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does road traffic have negative impact on the economy of Nigeria?
- Is there any relationship between traffic congestion and Company’s performance?
- What are the impacts of road traffic on the economy of Nigeria?
- What is the loss from the road traffic congestion?
- What are the complications caused by road traffic congestion that affects work performance?
- What are the supporting policies that need to be put in place to reduce the road traffic congestion?
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