Abstract

Traffic congestion is one of the most vexing urban issues. Population growth together with a great demand of transportation indirectly contributes to the increasing number of vehicles on the road that will eventually cause traffic congestion. This situation is having a considerable effect on the quality of community life in major cities, and Bamenda 3 municipality is also not an exception. Therefore, this study assesses road transport and the extent that the traffic congestion could obtain in affecting the quality of community life through daily routines and lifestyle.

The study adopted on site survey strategy as a primary data through a sampling of some respondents. Data were collected through a valid and reliable questionnaire, consisting of four (4) sections: demographic information, mobility (opinion on traffic jam), daily routines, and lifestyle. Collected data sets were analyzed using statistical analysis.

The results from the analysis indicated that traffic congestion had caused poor quality of community life. A significantly positive correlation was observed between road transport, traffic congestion and the quality of community life (r=.589, p< .05). Daily routines were mainly affected by traffic congestion rather than the community lifestyle.

This study also recommends that traffic planning and policy implementation should be given attention in order to improve the transportation system as well as to create better quality of community life.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

Transportation is a powerful catalyst for growing economy and it is one of the important things in the development of any country (Toulni, Miyara, Nsiri, & Boudhane, 2019). However, the huge number of vehicles usage on the road greatly contributes to traffic congestion.

According to Agyapong and Ojo (2018), traffic jam as a worldwide phenomenon was expected to become a major problem in the future. An impression that the transportation system is limited where the vehicles are being interrupted due to the narrow road width, limited vehicle parking, traffic signals and effectiveness of traffic is known as congestion (Takyi, Poku, & Anin, 2013).

Traffic congestion and non-eco-friendly transportations are being known as the main problems worldwide especially in the developing countries (Le & Trinh, 2016). The situations of traffic jammed and transportations are the important factors from the aspect of social, economic and environmental sectors that may affect the public health (Nadrian, Taghdisi, Pouyesh,Khazaee-Pool, & Babazadeh, 2019).

Quality of community life is one of the parts affected by traffic congestion. Theofilou (2013) said a better quality of life is when people are satisfied towards their life and can react positively to the lives that could change by certain situations. So, this issue would be added up to the life burden and living stress among community either to the road users or people who live near the traffic congestion area.

The quality of life is affected by traffic congestion because their daily routines as well as their lifestyle are disrupted. Daily routine is a sequence of action that people do repeatedly, and according to Yildiz, Uçar, Bilir, and Altintaş (2007), women’s daily routines are more likely to be disrupted rather than men because most routines involved all house management such as cooking, cleaning, child care and dishwashing.

Meanwhile, lifestyle can be seen in several aspects, which are standard of living, health issues and social activities. This is supported by Takyi et al., (2013) in their statement that the traffic congestion would actually disrupt the quality of community life to some extend in which it could decrease the productivity level of human in contributing to the economic growth of cities or regions.

Smith (2000) also found that the quality of life can be seen as objective indicators such as income and number of car per household, as well as including subjective factors such as happiness and life satisfactions. Hence, the quality of community life as well as the productivity will be low if it is disrupted by traffic congestion.

Lastly, it is important to know about the feelings of the community, whom can also be called as transportation users, and their reaction towards traffic jam, which can help the decision maker to understand well in finding the solution, as well as making more efficient and useful policies. So, this study was aimed to assess the extent of traffic congestion that could affect the quality of community life through daily routines and lifestyle.

1.2 Delimitation of The Study

The researcher focuses on assessing road transport and its effects on traffic congestion solely in the Bamenda 3 municipality

1.3 Statement of The Problem

Bad roads has been assessed as a key factor to road transport and this leads to traffic congestion, thereby negatively effecting health issues and the quality of life.

1.4 Research Question

1.4.1 Main Question

What are the effects of bad roads on community life in the Bamenda 3 Municipality?

1.4.2 Specific Questions

The specific research questions of this study are:

1. Is there any relationship between traffic congestion and the quality of community life in Bamenda 3 municipality?
2. Which quality of life would be most affected by the traffic congestion in Bamenda 3 municipality?
3. What is the effect of bad roads on the literacy rate in Bamenda 3 municipality?
4. What is the effect of bad roads on the rate of employment in Bamenda 3 municipality?

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