INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FOR PEDESTRIANS ALONG THE AWKA SEGMENT OF ENUGUONITSHA EXPRESSWAY

Abstract

This research is an attempt to investigate into the safety consideration for pedestrians along the Awka segment of the Enugu-Onitsha express way in Anambra Nigeria. The Awka segment of the highway was of interest, Awka is the capital of Anambra state with obvious commercial activities going on at both sides of the carriageway. Problems such as congestion, collisions andhostile vehicle to pedestrian relationship have been observed on this research location. Therefore it is important to investigate and find possible remedies to this. There are three major intersections along this location, they are; Regina, Aroma and Unizik junction. The volume of pedestrians with respect to behaviors that affect their safety were gotten at this junctions by manual counting , direct and indirect interviews were also carried out on pedestrians. The Reginajunction recorded the highest volume pedestrians crossing the carriageway, which is over 50% of the total pedestrian volume at that time. The Aroma junction had 745 people as the highest number of pedestrians walking along the junction during a one hour period. This junctions lack crossing or walking facilities, hence obvious difficulties were observed for pedestrians usingthese intersections. The Unizik junction recorded the most number of pedestrians using their mobile phones on the road, which was over 35% of the pedestrians crossing at that time. From the interviews carried out, it was analyzed that motorists have a hostile attitude towards pedestrians which makes using this junctions without traffic and safety facilities difficult for pedestrians . It was recommended that there should be provision of facilities that would resolve pedestrian related issues, awareness campaign for road users on the right attitude to increase safety and maintenance of already existing facilities.