The School of Transport and Logistics of the Lagos State University, has won a new research grant from Volvo Educational and Research Foundation.
The research proposal submitted to Volvo Educational and Research Foundation (VREF) in June 2022 by the research team from the School of Transport and Logistics led by Professor Samuel Odewumi, a renowned Professor of Transport Planning and Policy, was successful and it attracted a grant of SEK500,000 (Swedish Krona about $50,000).
The Research Topic: ‘Comparative Study of Water and Road Traffic Crashes in Selected Cities in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya’ was to examine the phenomena of travel accidents on the roads and waterways of three selected cities in West and East Africa.
Prof. Odewumi while speaking to journalist in the university said the study of road traffic crashes are extensive, but studies on accidents on waterways are rare.
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“Cities with water bodies have urban forms with peculiar safety and environmental challenges. Safety policies are usually well formulated and regularly communicated to enlighten citizens, but this is less so for water transportation, especially for the local artisanal boat and ferry operators mostly patronized by the urban poor. Hence accidents are common, with many of them unreported.
“Therefore, this study seeks to obtain the number, pattern, causes, injuries and fatalities of road and water accidents in the cities of study. Our objectives include a comparative analysis of the data among the cities and between the modes. It will also entail evaluation of the safety regulations, enforcement and enlightenment,” he explained.
Prof. Odewumi added that the perennial congestion in these cities creates a regular situation of crashes that is costing a lot in lives and property.
“Added to this are the poorly maintained heavy trucks, trailers, boats and ferries which formed part of the chaotic situation. It is further noted that the economic cost of these accidents and injuries has been estimated at 1% of GNP in low income countries to which Africa belongs.”
He explained further that as an exploratory survey research, primary data will be by interviews with relevant stakeholders and field observations to document some cases of real-life incidences and casualties over a three months’ period.
“The secondary will be from the appropriate authorities. This study is expected to contribute to the understanding of the mobility safety issues in cities with road and water transport system and contribute to policy guidelines on how to minimize the accidents.
Expressing gratitude to VREF for continued support for research and educational development in Africa, Prof. Odewumi also added that the LASU School of Transport Team is profoundly grateful for the conducive environment provided by the able leadership of the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Olatunji Ibiyemi-Bello, for research and the current pace of quantum development of the University.
It should be mentioned that LASU School of Transport and Logistics has become a global Centre of Excellence for Transport Research and Education. It has received several streams of young scholars from Ghana and South Africa for mentoring sponsored by VREF.
Besides the LASU team, other Co-Researchers include Prof Kazeem Adebiyi rector of The Polytechnic Ibadan, Prof ABANE Albert, Dept of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast Ghana, Prof GITURO Wainaina, Business and Management Sciences Department, University of Nairobi, Kenya and Prof. Karen Lucas, School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) at The University of Manchester, United Kingdom as the lead consultant.
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