Impacts of Traffic Volumes on Air Quality in Uyo Urban, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence suggests that motor vehicle emissions constitute a major source of atmospheric pollution in Uyo Urban. In the current study, major air pollutants (Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and SPM) were sampled in Twenty one location points. Samples were taken at three different time intervals of the day corresponding to morning peak, evening peak and afternoon off-peak periods. Using regression analysis and GIS, spatio-temporal and linear relationships between the pollutants and volume of vehicular movement were analysed. The result is a spatial surface pollution map reflecting pollution concentration in each point in the study area. The  four major pollutants were detected at all times and locations while the concentration of CO and NO2 showed a mean concentration level greater than the Federal Environmental Protection Agency limits and the recommended municipal (local) standard. This was predominantly during morning and evening peak. Though this study did not cover all the traffic junctions in the whole city of Uyo Urban, findings from the twenty one sampling points suggest that the city is under the threat of traffic related pollution and is possibly more susceptible further pollution given increasing population influx and vehicular traffic. Improved road network and construction of modern roundabouts could help reduce peak period traffic in the nearest future.

Keywords: Traffic volumes, air quality, air pollution, vehicular emission