Land Surface Temperature and Landuse/ Land Cover Change Variability Using Remotely Sensed Data for Sub-urban Settlements in Osun State, Nigeria

Land surface temperature (LST) is an indispensable factor in studying urban climate. Ground-based measurements have been employed to quantify LST and Land Use/Land Cover Change (LULC). However, due to advancements in space technology and extensive spatial coverage, remote sensing techniques are increasingly being used to measure the intensity of LST and LULC dynamics, owing to the availability of enhanced satellite-based thermal observations of the Earth. The climatic conditions over a medium-sized city could be improved by understanding the interplay of LST and LULC. In this study, we estimated LST based on Landsat bands 4 and 5 for 1990 and 2000, band 6 for 2010, and band 10 for 2021 to reveal the interplay between the characteristics of land use and land cover and LST over Inisa and adjoining settlements. The study revealed that the maximum and minimum LST from 1990 to 2021 was 30.2°C for built-up areas and 21.1°C for farmland, respectively. Built-up areas increased from 2.5% in 1990 to 15.43% in 2021. Remotely sensed data can reveal the variability of LST and LULC to assess the climatic phenomenon. They can inform future planning to secure green and livable urban areas in this era of a changing climate

Neglected issues in road crashes in sub-sahara Africa: the example of Nigeria

Road crash is a global problem. It is more serious in Sub-Sahara Africa, especially in Nigeria because road transport account for more than 80% of the total traffic and road safety measures are poorly developed. Road traffic crashes in Nigeria have claimed many lives and rendered several people permanently injured. In spite of the wasted human resources and debilitating effect of road crashes on the socio-economic development of the country, some efforts which would have reversed the trend and lessened this burden are either neglected or ignored. These -include among others, training of drivers in the use of first aid technique, building of road side clinics, insurance and. compensation, Road Safety Fund as well as under- reporting of the magnitude and significance of road crash figures. The paper calls for the use of computer technology in the collation and analysis of road crash statistics, training of commercial drivers in First Aid techniques and the establishment of Nigerian Road Safety Emergency Service as well as Road Safety Fund. It must however be backed up with strong political will from the government and devoid of corruption. This is expected to bring about reduction in road carnage on Nigerian roads as well as ameliorating the socio-economic burden of road crash victims

Spatial analysis and socio-economic burden of road crashes in South-western Nigeria

Road traffic accidents are a major health problem in Nigeria. Death and injuries resulting from road crashes in the country have been on the increase over the years. For instance, fatality rate rose from 5.3 in 1970 to 5.8 in 2005. The purpose of the paper is to assess the pattern and socio-economic burden of road crashes on road accident victims in south-western Nigeria. The study relied on the administration of 438 questionnaires to road accident victims in both public and private hospitals in south-western Nigeria. The data were presented using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that more than 70% of the accident victims were within the productive age group of between 15–45 years, with over 60% of them living below the poverty line. Motorcycles and buses accounted for 70% of the vehicles while about 40% of the victims were pedestrians. Each victim on average spent a minimum of US$17 per day on medical expenses and had at least one person attached to him/her throughout the period of admission. This has grave implications on the welfare of the families and the socio-economic development of the country. The paper calls for the use of preventive methods and post-crash management initiatives in order to reduce the magnitude and burden of road crashes on members of the society in south-western Nigeria

The rate of compliance to seat belt usage among automobile drivers on three categories of roads in Nigeria: an observatory survey

Injuries to head, chest and abdomen are a major cause of death for unrestrained vehicle occupants, particularly the drivers. The use of seat belts therefore plays a significant role in reducing the severity of injuries. The study examined the compliance rate of seat belt use on different road hierarchies in Abeokuta (Nigeria) using an observatory method. Findings indicated that there was 54%, 37.3% and 13.6% compliance rate on three categories of roads studied. Also, females complied more with the use of seat belts on each of the roads with compliance rates at 43.3%, 47.2% and 50% compared with males who had 32.6%, 38.6% and 39.6% seat belt compliance rates. Chi-square analysis showed significant variations in the use of seat belt on the roads (p>0.05). The paper suggests increased awareness and enforcement of traffic laws among others in order to ensure sustainable use of seat belts among motorists in Nigeria

Travel characteristics and mobility constraints of the elderly in Ibadan, Nigeria

The paper assessed the travel characteristic and mobility crisis of the elderly in Ibadan Metropolis. A sample of 264 elderly people completed a questionnaire survey. Tables of percentages, graphs and chi-square were used for data presentation. Findings showed that 60.3% of the respondents were married, 70.3% had no more than secondary education and over 50% earned less than N20,000 per month mainly from working and remittances. Work and health related trips accounted for 31.8% and 27.1% of the journey purpose. Similarly, the use of bus and walking accounted for 30% and 29.6% of the modal split. Chi-square analysis indicated significant variations in terms of travel time and transport cost in the three density zones. Vehicle design, long access and waiting time as well as poor facilities at the terminals were identified as constraints to the effective mobility of the elderly. The paper identified both short and long term measures for ameliorating the mobility crisis and transport burden of the elderly in Ibadan Metropolis

Mobility challenges and transport safety of people with disabilities (PWDs) in Ibadan, Nigeria

Disability is a growing problem worldwide. The challenges facing people with disabilities are being exacerbated by poor and inadequate transport. This paper assessed the mobility challenges and transport safety of disabled people in Ibadan Metropolis. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A structured questionnaire was administered on 388 respondents (crippled and blind) in 2 major motor parks, designated bus stops and road terminals along corridors where people with disabilities are concentrated. Secondary information was sourced from the disabled homes in the state. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Findings indicated that about 2/3 were male, 72% had no more than primary education and begging was the main source of income. About 90% made only two trips per day, more than 65% spent more than 10 minutes at bus stops and 80% relied on public transport. Road environment and vehicle design were the main mobility challenges and about a half were victims of road crashes. Significant correlation existed among number of trips, sex, educational attainment and income. The paper suggested accessible transport infrastructure, disability awareness training for public transport staff, improved vehicle design and disable-oriented mobility planning in order to meet the access needs of people with disabilities

Attitude towards public transport infrastructure use and maintenance in Nigeria

Infrastructure is indispensable to the socio-economic development of any nation. Transportation infrastructure is even more critical because the functioning of other infrastructures depend on it. However, the condition of some of the transport infrastructure particularly public transport infrastructure is appalling due to neglect, poor maintenance and the attitude of the citizens using them. For instance, refuse are dumped into drains, walkways converted to parking lots while road shoulders serve as platform for drying food stuffs, especially in rural communities. Roads are cut for water pipes, electricity and mobile phone cables without adequate repair. This aggravates the spate of deterioration of these facilities. The runways, rail tracks and jetties are not left due to long years of neglect. The paper calls for shared responsibility among the citizens, community and government in ensuring adequate maintenance of public transport infrastructure in Nigeria

Issues of concern in road transport system in Nigeria

The road transport system in Nigeria has played a major role in the socio-economic development of the country. The road mode still remains the dominant and most elaborate of all forms of transport in the country today. However, several issues are of concern to both the operators and users of road transport system in Nigeria. These include condition of roads and its funding, road traffic accidents and vehicular air pollution. For example, 54 per cent of the road network in Nigeria is still in poor condition with, an annual cost of N133.8 billion (INR = N 2.92) to the Nigerian economy. About N300 billion is needed in the next ten years to bring the total network of roads in the country into fairly good condition. In the same vein, deaths from road traffic accidents have also been staggering. For example, between 1960 and 2001 more than 2,50,000 people have lost their lives in road traffic accidents. The growth in vehicular traffic coupled with rapid urbanization has led to increase in Vehicular Air Pollution (VAP) making Nigeria's air quality one of the worst in the world. Therefore, a range of integrated approach is needed to bring sanity into Nigerian road transport system so as to enhance the effective mobility of people as well as the socio-economic development of the country

Socio-economic characteristics and driving behaviour of commercial drivers in southwestern Nigeria cities

The study examined the relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of commercial drivers and their level of safety in Southwestern Nigeria. 600 structured questionnaires were administered to commercial drivers at motor parks in selected cities in the study area. Both descriptive and correlation analysis were used for data presentation. Findings indicated that about 60% of the drivers were below 45years while over 90% of them have no more than secondary education-out of which 27.5% have no formal education. Most of them are paid daily which they considered too meager. The age of vehicle showed that more than 65% were over 10 years old and over 95% of these vehicles are fairly used imported vehicles called "Tokunbo"; which is ridden on equally fairly used imported tyres. Vehicle defects accounted for 43.6% of the causes of accidents from drivers' perspective. Similarly, there is inverse relationship between level of education and cases of road accidents. The paper calls for proactive drivers' education and training as well as effective law enforcement in order to reduce the level of carnage on Nigerian roads

Integrated rural accessibility Planning: feasible option for rural access planning in Nigeria

Rural roads are crucial to the socio-economic development of the rural inhabitants. It provides them the opportunity to access water and firewood points, farm plots and educational and health facilities among others. However; the state of rural roads in Nigeria is deplorable with about 75% of them in poor condition. The consequence is that the rural communities are cut off from socio-economic facilities resulting in perpetuation of rural poverty. Efforts geared towards rural access planning over the years in Nigeria relied on top-down approach and qualitative assessment of the travel characteristics of the rural people. The result is the dismal failure of the approach to provide sustainable solutions to the mobility constraints of members of rural communities. Therefore, the adoption of Integrated Rural Accessibility Planning, an approach that is quantifiable, need-based and participatory (bottom-up) in addressing the rural access problem of the rural people may be the option needed for solving the seemingly intractable rural accessibility constraints in the rural areas in the country