The Impact of Ride-Sharing on Urban Traffic Flow in Nigeria (Published)
Urbanization of Nigerian cities has become faster, which in turn has caused significant difficulties for transportation within them, namely worsening traffic jams, public transportation system inefficiency, and environmental issues. One of the technological solutions to increase the sustainability of the given transport networks is the adoption of the system of passenger car sharing. The study considers the effect ride-sharing has on urban transport in Nigeria in both situations as a way to reduce congestion and as one of the causes. The main success stories are less car ownership, better accessibility to the suburbs, and the new introduction of ride-pooling options. However, there are also negative consequences such as the increase in the driver’s vehicle miles, deadheading and the existing road infrastructure being further weakened. The study emphasizes the fact that, with the help of policies, partnerships, and road infrastructure investments, ride-sharing can be a significant means for urban mobility improvement. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, local governments, ride-sharing companies, and urban planners to harmonize ride-sharing with Nigeria’s broader transportation landscape. Future research directions include long-term impact assessments and the integration of advanced technologies in Nigeria’s urban mobility framework.
Keywords: Congestion reduction, Nigeria, Public transportation, Ride-sharing, Urban mobility, Urban planning, Urban traffic flow