Mapping and Analysis of the Temporal Changes of Road Traffic Accident Hotspots Using GIS and Remote Sensing in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The accident rates per vehicle in Nigeria are alarmingly high. The traffic condition in the city of Owerri is no different. The traffic accidents are predictable and can be avoided by improving preventions. These pose a lot of concern in Owerri Municipal Council and its environs of Imo State, Nigeria because road traffic accident has done more harm than good in the city, it has led to loss of lives and properties, severe injuries and pains and above all it has deteriorated the socio-economic growth and development of the city. This paper is aimed at mapping and analysis of the temporal changes of road traffic accident hotspots using GIS and Remote Sensing in Owerri Municipal Council and its environs in Imo State, Nigeria. The methodology adopted was the GIS method of Digitization/Data conversion, Creation of relational database table of road traffic accident hotspots records and performance of GIS analysis such as spatial queries, buffering operation and spatial overlay using Arc GIS 10.3 and Infoterra satellite imagery of 0.5 resolution. Test of hypothesis using Chi-Square was also used to analyze the data obtained from social survey (questionnaires). Result showed that there was an increase in road traffic accidents (RTAs), RTDs, RTIs and Car damages in 2017 than in 2016. Depression and Careless Driving, Over-speeding, night driving and impatience and were the major Human factors that contributed to the cause of the road accidents in 2017. Vehicle with bad tyres and no speed limits contributed to road accidents. Tarred and pothole roads and Driving during Rainy Season were observed to be the highest Road factor that contributed to the cause of accidents.  Hotspot cluster was along Owerri-OkigweRaodat IMSU junction. It was recommended that there should be good quality roads and the bad ones should be frequently maintained; people should be made to know the importance of Safe Landing when driving; Speed limit control/gadgets should be made compulsory, every vehicle found without speed limit gadgets should be penalized; there should be strict adherence and enforcement of road safety measures and rules on road users and drivers, defaulters should be heavily penalized and punished. The Digital map, the results obtained in both queries and SPSS were shown in digital thematic maps, tabular data and charts respectively.