The Use of Queuing Theory in the Management of Traffic Intensity

Author(s): Rowland J. O. Ekeocha, Victor Ikechi Ihebom

One of the major objectives of road transport policy is to minimize road congestion and road accidents in an area. An intense interruption of free movement on a road is known as traffic congestion. Traffic congestion is as a result of too many cars, buses, trucks in a road space at a particular time. It can occur almost on any road system. It is more dominant and severe around central business district, industrial areas and the like, during the morning and afternoon periods as a result of the influx of commuters and goods delivery around such areas. The impact of such traffic congestion includes delay in delivery of goods and services, excessive fuel consumption and pollution, frustration and inability to estimate travel time. Road transport which is popularly used as medium for mobility can be tiring, irritating and costly when congestion is encountered. This work contributes to the prediction of road traffic intensity of some areas in Lagos state, Nigeria by the application of queuing theory. The approach adopted in the paper describes traffic intensity as performance measure used in the prediction of the level of queue build-up at traffic light intersection in the selected area. The prediction may enhance proper traffic management devoid of undue delays.

Queuing Process, Traffic Intensity, Traffic Management

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