Refereed Journals

Rural people need access to markets and services. In developing countries, where private vehicle ownership is limited, villagers depend on public transport services. However, research evidence available to inform policy formulation is often extremely limited. To better understand the characteristics, costs, frequencies and acceptability of rural transport services in Ghana, data was collected using a methodology developed by the International Forum for Rural Transport and Development. This methodology combines traffic count data with structured qualitative interviews with transport users, operators, regulators and local development experts. A key finding concerned motorcycle taxis which, although officially banned in 2012, remain a common sight in rural Ghana and are generally appreciated by transport users and other stakeholders. Following our presentation of findings to an audience of national stakeholders and policy-makers, a consensus emerged to continue restricting commercial motorcycle operations in cities and on highways, but allowing them on rural roads, if combined with appropriate safety training and regulations. These findings feed into an ongoing policy debate about motorcycle taxi transport in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Presently, advanced traveler information system (ATIS) is extensively used elsewhere and is regarded as an important component for road traffic control and management. ATIS uses information and communication technology to broadcast traveler information to commuters to help them in scheduling their trips and also offer directions on the way. Information provided by ATIS may include: traffic condition (which may be presented in queue length, travel time, or delay), incidents such as road traffic crash and their geographical locations, events such as road construction and demonstrations, optimal routes, and inclement weather which may disrupt traffic. The traffic information may be transmitted via mechanisms such as radio and television, dynamic navigation systems (in-vehicle or mounted), internet services, smart phone services (e.g. specially designed application) and variable speed limit or changeable message signs systems. Providing commuters with accurate, timely and reliable traffic information will influence travel behavior and ultimately result in reduced travel time and traffic congestion along with reduced vehicle emissions and fuel consumption. Notwithstanding the benefits which can be derived from using intelligent transport systems to manage traffic, its use can be described as being in the basic stage in most developing countries. This paper discusses how ATIS can play a vital role of efforts to reduce traffic congestion in emerging nations.

Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children worldwide, though many of these deaths are preventable. Buckling young children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, or seat belts and also seating them in appropriate position can lead to a significant reduction of serious and fatal injuries. This study investigated sitting behaviour and restraint use among child passengers through cross-sectional observational surveys conducted in Kumasi, Ghana. A bivariate probit model was developed for simultaneous determination of the contributing factors influencing child passenger's sitting behaviour and restraint use. The results showed that 26% of the child passengers observed were occupying the front seat and the prevalence rate of restraint use was 4.5%. The developed bivariate probit model clearly highlights the existence of interrelationship between child passenger's sitting position and restraint use. The key factors simultaneously influencing child passenger's sitting position and restraint use include vehicle type, driver's gender, driver's belt use, child's age, and the presence of other child or adult passenger. Furthermore, time of day and day of week also influence child passenger sitting behaviour but not their restraint use. These findings provide insight for better understanding of child transporting practices and the contributing factors influencing their sitting behaviour and restraint use. The findings also highlight the need for policy makers to design effective countermeasures to promote rear sitting and restraint use among child passengers.

Advanced traveller information systems (ATIS) present traffic information to travelers to assist them in planning their journeys and also provide guidance when on the road. Providing travelers with information affects travel behaviour and can result in improved performance and reduced congestion and emissions. However, the success of ATIS depends on, among other factors, whether drivers consider it useful and their particular responses to the provided information. There are, currently, many sources and market players in the traffic information industry producing traffic reports for consumers. The main objective of this paper was to examine whether traffic information provided from different sources are consistent with one other. A variable speed limit system and real-time traffic information system for in-vehicle navigation systems are used as a case study. This comparative analysis was made by superimposing the space-time regions of ground truth measured traffic conditions (“reality”) over the space-time regions of the reported information broadcasts. A predictive buffer was also introduced in the assessment. The predictive buffer was included to account for traffic information which could be considered as advance warning messages or correctly predicting and giving congestion information prior to the onset of actual congestion, which otherwise may have been reported as false alarms. This was motivated by the fact that optimal control approaches include the prediction of congestion in their control strategies. The methods developed in this research work have been applied to a real world problem to prove its applicability.

Roundabouts are very useful when flows are balanced but can have operational challenges when flows increase. Most roundabouts on arterial roadways in Ghana experience recurring congestion during peak traffic. The four roundabouts between Ejisu Municipality and Asokwa Municipality on the N6 highway are typical of the situation found on arterials countrywide. They experience recurring long queues and delays during the peak hours and over-representation of truck rollover accidents. In Ghana, historically, most roundabouts with capacity problems have been developed into interchanges at very high cost without consideration of other effective at-grade configurations. When roundabouts are signalized, various configurations can be explored to enhance capacity while preserving the safety benefits. Using simulation techniques, various configurations and design options were tested for their effectiveness at two of the roundabouts, located at KNUST police station and Ejisu, with similar demand and high left turning volumes. The objectives of this study were to;

a) evaluate the performance of the selected roundabouts on the corridor;

b) explore alternative intersection configurations to improve capacity and delay. Using video data collection techniques, 2-h time stamped footages of AM and PM peak traffic flows were captured for two days. Geometric design parameters of the existing roundabouts, queue lengths, travel times, and approach flows were also captured. VISSIM models of the selected roundabouts were developed and calibrated for the baseline conditions. Signalized unconventional roundabout configuration, with a phase for major road through traffic were simulated and assessed for capacity, delay and queue length. The results showed that signalized roundabout intersections effectively increased capacity by as much as 50% in some cases, reduced delay and queue length significantly, and maintained the benefits of roundabouts including safety. The performance could be further enhanced by introducing separate left turn phases to reduce conflicts or through a right turn U-turn (RTUT) concept.