Acceptability of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) for Optimizing Transport Operations in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), particularly to improve urban commuting across the globe, has been witnessing tremendous growth due to its significant contributions, and it is no different in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Based on this background, this study examined the acceptability of ITS solutions for optimizing transport operations in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. This study is anchored on a cross-sectional survey research design, and a systematic random sampling technique was used to sample 400 copies of a questionnaire administered to the motorists. The percentage distribution table, Mean Weighted analysis, and Student ‘t’ test were used to achieve research objectives. Major findings revealed that the respondents, who are predominantly male, economically productive individuals who owned vehicles manufactured between 2000 and 2010 equipped with ITS-compatible features, ranked GPS tracking devices, advanced commercial vehicle operation systems, traffic cameras, electronic toll collection systems, and adaptive traffic signal control systems as the top five most important ITS solutions for optimizing transport operations. The respondents’ confirmed their acceptability of ITS deployment in Lagos Metropolis, as 60% of the parameters used to measure the motorists' ITS acceptability index ranked above the mean index value. The respondents expressed readiness to accept ITS devices, satisfaction with the custom service provided by the ITS system, feeling safe and secure while using ITS devices, belief in the accuracy of ITS information, and the intention to continue using ITS devices in the future. Furthermore, findings show that there is statistical variability between the factors constrained by the acceptability of ITS solutions in the metropolis. It also revealed that corruption, the absence of a user feedback mechanism, the absence of priority ITS devices, epileptic power supplies, and poor ITS support facilities are the top five factors constraining the acceptability of ITS solutions in Lagos Metropolis. This study concludes that there is a positive attitude and high acceptability among motorists towards ITS solutions for optimizing transport operations in Lagos Metropolis. It therefore recommends strategies to improve the widespread acceptance of ITS solutions, which will lead to a more efficient and sustainable transport operation in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria.

Keywords: Intelligent Transport System ITS, Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria, Transport operation, Transport system

DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/13-5-05

Publication date:August 31^st 2023